Three Canadian soldiers on the outskirts of Caen, 9 July 1944.
Three Canadian soldiers on the outskirts of Caen, 9 July 1944. (Photo: Conseil Régional de Basse-Normandie / Library and Archives Canada)

Battle of Normandy timeline

Three Canadian soldiers on the outskirts of Caen, 9 July 1944.
Three Canadian soldiers on the outskirts of Caen, 9 July 1944. (Photo: Conseil Régional de Basse-Normandie / Library and Archives Canada)

D-Day was just the beginning. The Battle of Normandy lasted for twelve more weeks. Allied forces aimed to expand the area under their control, capture key locations such as the port of Cherbourg and wear down the enemy’s strength.

The German forces were skilled at being on the defensive. They fought hard even though they were usually outnumbered. For much of the battle the Germans used their strongest troops – the tank forces – in the east against the British and Canadians.

This eventually helped the Americans break through the German lines in the west.

On 25 August the French capital of Paris was liberated.