Normandy Campaign History

The campaign in North West Europe opened with the landings by Allied Forces in Normandy on 6th June 1944. Airborne landings were made by one British and two American divisions, with seaborne landings being made by two British, one Canadian and elements of three American divisions.

Order of Battle and Command Structure (Land Forces Only)

The British and Canadian forces, together with Polish, Belgian and Dutch formations, all served under the 21 Army Group, which commanded all the British, Canadian and other European formations that participated in the campaign in North West Europe. In addition, there were some American formations under command at different times.

Air Support

Given the ubiquity of air power and how it is apportioned during campaigns, there was no defined squadron apportionment to the Normandy Campaign to squadron numbers. The RAF supported the Campaign via all capabilities such as recce, close air support, interdiction, tactical and strategic bombing and air-to-air to maintain control of the air to enable effective ground manoeuvre. Almost all RAF squadrons will have supported naval and ground operations throughout the Normandy Campaign.

Chronology of the campaign

Divisional Order of the Battle

Apart from the initial landings, 21 Army Group comprised two Armies, 2nd Army and the 1st Canadian Army. There were four Corps of the British Army within 2nd Army and one from the Canadian Army deployed in the campaign: