D-Day

Into the Jaws of Death by Robert F. Sargent

Historical Context

On June 6, 1944, Allied forces invaded Europe. The Normandy landings, the largest amphibious invasion ever undertaken, took years to plan, involved the invention of new technologies and proved that Hitler's 'Fortress Europe' was made of sand.

Photographer Robert F. Sargent took this photo - aptly named "Into the Jaws of Death" - as troops waded ashore on Omaha Beach, the most calamitous of the landing sites. On the day at Omaha, little went to plan, most landing craft missed their targets and German defenses were unexpectedly strong.

Nevertheless, the Allies secured a foothold on all beaches. From there they broke out into Normandy proper as German resistance faltered. D-Day stands out as one of the most crucial moments in history: along with the German collapse on the Eastern Front, the success of the Allies in the West ensured that the Nazi defeat was near.

Photo Info

Photographer: Robert F. Sargent
Date taken: June 6, 1944
Location taken: Omaha Beach, Normandy, France
Source: National Archives and Records Administration

Related Events

1944-01-31 Operation-Overlord (D-Day) postponed until June
1944-04-07 World War II: General Montgomery speaks to generals at St. Paul's School about his vision for the upcoming D-Day landings
1944-05-17 US General Dwight Eisenhower sets D-Day for June 5
1944-06-01 Allied generals Bernard Montgomery, George S. Patton, Omar Bradley, Miles Dempsey and Harry Crerar meet in Portsmouth, England just prior to D-Day
1944-06-04 General Eisenhower cancels planned D-Day invasion on June 5th after receiving unfavorable weather reports
1944-06-05 As part of Operation Tonga, the 1st British gliders touch down on French soil to prepare for the D-Day invasion
1944-06-05 German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel goes on leave just before WWII D-Day landings by the Allies
1944-06-05 After receiving favorable weather reports, General Eisenhower decides to proceed with the D-Day invasion on June 6
1944-06-06 Operation Overlord: As part of the D-Day landings, the 82nd Airborne Division arrives at the French town of Sainte-Mère-Église
1944-06-06 World War II: All Major League Baseball games are cancelled in honor of the D-Day landings in northern France
1944-06-06 Operation Overlord: D-Day begins as the 156,000-strong Allied Expeditionary Force lands in Normandy, France, during World War II
1944-09-28 Theodore Roosevelt Jr., son of President Theodore Roosevelt, is posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for directing troops at Utah Beach during the D-Day landings