The Pic of the Day: D-Day on Omaha Beach

U.S. Soldiers disembark a landing craft under heavy fire off the coast of Normandy, France, June 6, 1944.

Seventy-six years ago, in Normandy, France, the Allies conducted the largest amphibious assault in history. On the early morning hours of June 6, a combined force comprised of American, British, and Canadian troops assaulted five beaches (Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword) — several other Allied nations supported the operation. The landing forces encountered a variety of resistance. Omaha Beach, in particular, was a bloodbath. Sheer grit and perseverance, however, carried the day. By the end of June 6, hundreds of thousands of Allied troops had successfully crossed the English Channel.