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On February 12, 1944, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Force, was directed to "enter the continent of Europe and, in conjunction with other United Nations, undertake operations aimed at the heart of Germany and the destruction of her armed forces."
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The bridge over the Caen Canal, codenamed Pegasus, linked the invasion beaches with the airborne landings. Pegasus bridge allowed the Allies to bring armour landed by sea to the other side of the river.
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The Allies landed approximately 156,000 troops on the Juno, Sword, Gold, Utah, and Omaha beaches in Northern France as the start of the Liberation of Paris. The Allies launched several airborne assaults following the landings.
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A great storm came and delayed the pace of the American attack on Cherbourg and the British attack on Orne. The Germans were able to move more troops to Normandy.
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The Germans had restructured their chain of command, giving Field Marshal Gunther von Kluge the job of Commander in Chief West. The city served as a strategic crossroads and was important to both sides. Up to 95% of the city was destroyed in the bombings.
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At the beginning of July, the Allies finally succeeded in taking control of Caen.
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Operation Goodwood was a British offensive that was delayed because of bad weather. The Armoured Divisions were to take the Bourgebus Ridge and move beyond. This resulted in damage to the Luftwaffe.
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General Eisenhower was disappointed about the turnout of Operation Goodwood and wanted more troops for Operation Cobra to be sure to defeat the Germans (although he had not known about the damage Germany had taken). The Allies massively bombed the area and then sent in the infantry to wrap it up. They were eventually able to break through the German lines.
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The Allies learned from previous operations that sending in infantry unprotected was a bad idea that resulted in heavy losses. So, for this operation soldiers stayed in armoured vehicles called "Holy Rollers."
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The Germans weren't happy about Operation Cobra. But they then realized that the Americans had a narrow corridor between Mortain and the coast. So, they launched a counter-attack. Luckily, the U.S. and British air forces launched an airstrike.
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Commander Montgomery and Commander Bradley agreed to take the "short hook" route towards Falaise. Bradley's men would move north toward Argentan, while the British and Canadians would come down toward Caen. They described it as "two jaws crushing Falaise." When the fighting ended on August 21st, there were massive casualties on both sides and the Germans had retreated.
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Operation Tractable was led by Canadian troops who crossed the river Laizon and took the city of Falaise on August 16th. Hitler admitted that August 15th was the worst day of his life.
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Once Paris was freed from German control, there were massive celebrations throughout Paris. There was occasional small-arms fighting, but it was peaceful for the most part. Soldiers along with General Charles de Gaulle marched down the Champs-Elysees.
