The Longest Day

As D-Day approaches, the Allies are on high alert, waiting for a break in the poor weather. The atmosphere is tense as they anticipate possible reactions from the German forces defending northern France.

Lieutenant Col. Benjamin H. Vandervoort reports for duty and receives his orders to take Sainte-Mere-Eglise, a critical location for the invasion. He prepares his troops, issuing them clicking toys for identification purposes during the night drop.

Gen. Dwight Eisenhower makes the crucial decision to proceed with the invasion after reviewing weather reports promising a brief window of favorable conditions. This decision is supported by Gen. Bernard Montgomery and aims to take the Axis forces by surprise.

German commanders, including Generalfeldmarschall Gerd Von Rundstedt, struggle with conflicting intelligence reports about the potential Allied invasion. Oberstleutnant Helmuth Meyer predicts an attack within 24 hours but is met with skepticism from his superiors.

The French resistance receives coded messages indicating that the invasion is about to begin. Resistance members, like Alexandre Renaud and Father Louis Roulland, prepare to sabotage German communication and support the Allies.

On the early hours of June 6, Allied airborne troops begin their drops, taking key locations inland from the beaches. The French resistance reacts intensely to the unfolding invasion, aware that the fate of their country is at stake.

Maj. John Howard and his forces successfully land and secure Pegasus Bridge, a crucial objective meant to prevent the Germans from demolishing it. He prepares for a potential counterattack while awaiting reinforcements.

American paratroopers experience disarray as some land in swamps while others touch down in Sainte-Mere-Eglise. This initial drop leads to heavy casualties as they encounter scattered enemy forces.

German forces fail to recognize the invasion due to the calm beaches and reports of approaching Allied aircraft. Major Werner Pluskat dissects evidence of troop movements but miscalculates the threat level.

At dawn, Allied forces embark on their invasion of Normandy. This coordinated assault is led by Lt. Gen. Omar N. Bradley, who commands various naval and airborne units as they engage with German defensive positions.

Brigadier Gen. Norman Cota leads forces from the beach as they begin to engage the enemy. He quickly assesses the situation at the beachhead, commanding engineers to blow a hole through enemy defenses to secure an exit point.

The U.S. Provisional Ranger Group launches an assault on Pointe Du Hoc and faces grievous losses scaling the cliffs. They discover that the German artillery they aimed to neutralize was never installed, showcasing a dramatic twist.

By late morning, Rommel returns home only to discover that the invasion is already underway. Despite urging from his officers, he cannot mobilize the Panzer reserves without Hitler's approval, leading to further delays.

Lieutenant Col. Vandervoort successfully regroups scattered troops and leads an assault on Sainte-Mere-Eglise. In fierce fighting, they manage to capture the town and witness the aftermath of losses suffered by their comrades.

As the day comes to a close, various Allied units work to consolidate their positions along the beachhead. The overall successful invasion sets the stage for the Allies to advance further into France, eventually bringing the fight towards Germany.