The Effects of the Normandy Invasion free essay sample

The Effects of the Normandy Invasion On June 6, 1944, the Allied invasion of Normandy, in France, was the beginning of the end for the Third Reich. In this bloody battle, that took place over sixty miles of beachhead on the Normandy coast, Allied forces broke through those of Germany and opened the way for Europe to be liberated from Nazi rule. In the decade preceding the Normandy Invasion (or â€Å"D-Day†), Hitler and his government, the Third Reich, conquered much of Europe, spreading terror and suffering. One nation that was conquered was France. Conquered in 1940, France was one key member of the Allied forces, including Great Britain, the United States, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. All of these nations were represented on that fateful day of June 6, 1944. At dawn, these allied troops, led by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, headed onto the beaches, fighting their way through the German forces. The destruction was great. We will write a custom essay sample on The Effects of the Normandy Invasion or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The United States, alone, lost over three thousand soldiers in that battle. Both sides suffered heavy casualties. However, it was the Allied troops who prevailed. After over one month of fighting, the Germans finally retreated, and the Allies were able to make it safely into Paris. Victory, though costly, was theirs. ’ The Allies’ victory at Normandy opened the way for them to begin liberating the rest of Europe from Nazi occupation and oppression. After liberating France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and much of the Netherlands, the Allies pushed towards Germany, the dominating lion of Europe. As a result of their victories, Hitler, the Fuhrer of Germany, now had to fight on two fronts – the west and the east in Russia. This caused the Third Reich to become frustrated, andin a final attempt at conquering all of Europe, Hitler said, â€Å"All resistance must be broken in a wave of terror† (Beck 458). This led to the Battle of the Bulge, the final defeat of Germany by the Allies. And all of this was made possible because of the Allies’ victory at the Normandy Invasion. The goal of D-Day, to break German forces and open a way to defeat the Third Reich, was accomplished. Many lives, however, were lost in the cause. Many sons, husbands, and friends did not return to their homes after the invasion. This makes the Normandy Invasion important, not only because of its political significance, but also because of the legacy of those who fought in it.