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Battle of Normandy timeline

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. (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.

June 1944

7 June 1944

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A white ensign flag that was flown on a landing barge that took supplies to Normandy. The barge was meant to arrive on D-Day, but had engine trouble and was a day late.

From today onwards, the Allies continue to advance after D-Day, but face strong counter-attacks as German reinforcements arrive in Normandy. It is a race to see which side can move troops to Normandy faster than the other.

12 June 1944

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German forces dropped this propaganda leaflet from the air in Normandy. It aimed to demoralise British soldiers by describing the damage that V-1 flying bombs were said to be inflicting on the south of England.

US troops capture the key town of Carentan. This means that for the first time all the Allied bridgeheads in Normandy are joined up. Also today, the first V-1 flying bombs are launched against the UK. German leader Adolf Hitler hoped that their use over the coming weeks would weaken the Allied landings in France.

13 June 1944

Allied ships unload troops and supplies at Omaha Beach several days after D-Day. (Photo: Conseil Régional de Basse-Normandie / US National Archives)

A week after D-Day, the Allies have landed 326,547 troops, 54,186 vehicles and 102,783 tons of supplies in Normandy. An attempt by 7th British Armoured Division to advance through Villers-Bocage and exploit a gap in the German lines is unsuccessful.

19 – 22 June 1944

A major storm lasts for several days and slows the rate at which Allied reinforcements are arriving in France. Many landing craft are wrecked or damaged. The American Mulberry Harbour (artificial harbour) at Omaha Beach is destroyed, but the British Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches survives.

26 – 30 June 1944

British and Canadian forces attempt to outflank the city of Caen to the west (Operation Epsom). The attackers advance slightly but there are several days of attack and counter-attack before the battle ends.

27 June 1944

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US troops search German soldiers who have just surrendered, in the former French arsenal at Cherbourg. (Photo: US Navy)

The German garrison at Cherbourg surrenders to US forces who have gradually fought their way north from Utah Beach. Cherbourg has an important harbour, although the Germans sabotage its port facilities before surrendering.

July 1944

4 July 1944

After fierce fighting the Canadians capture Carpiquet airfield, just west of Caen (Operation Windsor).

8 – 10 July 1944

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

British and Canadians forces launch Operation Charnwood, aiming to liberate Caen. They reach the northern part of the city on 8 July, but Caen has been heavily damaged by Allied bombing raids.

10 – 17 July 1944

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Private Bill Edwardes carried this certificate during the Battle of Normandy. He was serving as a stretcher-bearer with 1st Worcesters. It states that he had protection under the Geneva Convention while carrying out this work.

Anglo-Canadian forces engage in a series of exhausting battles to the west of Caen. These include the fierce fighting over the high ground known as Hill 112, and the Second Battle of the Odon which is fought across the valley of the River Odon.

18 – 19 July 1944

German troops in Normandy watch for Allied aircraft, June 1944. (Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild 101I-721-0388-22. Photographer: Theobald.)

British troops launch another major attack, Operation Goodwood. This time it is to the east of Caen. After some advances, the attack did not achieve its final objectives. However it did ensure that many of the strongest German troops remained pinned around Caen rather than heading to the US sector.

18 July 1944

US forces capture the town of St Lô, opening the way for the next big American offensive a week later.

25 July 1944

Starting near St Lô, US forces launch Operation Cobra. This offensive aimed to break through the German defenders and the confined terrain of the 'bocage' countryside.

20 July 1944

Over the previous few days, German forces have started to crumble in the face of the American advance. Today the first US troops enter Brittany, under the command of General George Patton.

30 July – 7 August 1944

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A Royal Warwickshire Regiment shoulder title and a triangular 3rd British Division badge. They were worn during the Battle of Normandy by John Gundy, who was a company runner serving with 2nd Royal Warwicks.

As the Americans begin to break through the German forces in the west, in the east British troops launch Operation Bluecoat. The British drive back the Germans and on 6 August British troops capture Mont Pinçon, the highest point in Normandy.

August 1944

7 – 9 August 1944

German forces launch a major counter-attack (Operation Lüttich) towards Mortain, in an attempt to halt the US advance. After some initial localised successes, the attack fails. The Germans are left weakened while Allied forces began to encircle them.

8 – 15 August 1944

A pair of Canadian-led attacks (Operations Totalize and Tractable) advance towards Falaise with the aim of meeting up with General Patton's US forces advancing from the south and cutting off the German retreat.

19 August 1944

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Wrecked German military vehicles that have been destroyed by Allied aircraft during the fighting to close the Falaise Pocket.

American and Anglo-Canadian troops finally meet up. The German army in Normandy is nearly encircled in what becomes known as the Falaise Pocket. Many German troops attempt to fight their way out. Further east, 79th US Division are the first Allied troops to cross the River Seine. In Paris the French Resistance begin an uprising to eject the German occupiers.

20 -21 August 1944

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This badge of the 1st Polish Armoured Division was worn by Jerzy Kobryner who served with that unit in Normandy.

On 20 August 1st Polish Armoured Division and Canadian forces are isolated from other Allied troops. They try to close up the mouth of Falaise Pocket while retreating Germans struggle desperately to break through. The next day Allied reinforcements arrive and close off the German escape route. Thousands of German troops are killed or captured.

22 – 25 August 1944

British and Canadian forces continue advancing towards River Seine. This wide river is a major obstacle in the way of the German retreat and the Allied advance.

25 August 1944

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French troops and Resistance fighters guard a public building in Paris during the liberation of the city.

French troops of 2nd Armoured Division, under US command and with the support of the Resistance, liberate Paris.

26 August 1944

The first British forces (43rd Division) cross the River Seine. They make more crossings over the next few days.

30 August 1944

German resistance to the south of River Seine comes to an end. Allied troops are now advancing rapidly to the north of the river, as the Germans continue to fall back.

Omaha Beach

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Battle of Normandy timeline

June 1944

7 June 1944

12 June 1944

13 June 1944

19 – 22 June 1944

26 – 30 June 1944

27 June 1944

July 1944

4 July 1944

8 – 10 July 1944

10 – 17 July 1944

18 – 19 July 1944

18 July 1944

25 July 1944

20 July 1944

30 July – 7 August 1944

August 1944

7 – 9 August 1944

8 – 15 August 1944

19 August 1944

20 -21 August 1944

22 – 25 August 1944

25 August 1944

26 August 1944

30 August 1944

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