Code-named "Operation Overlord", it was the (large) combined sea, air and land operation in history, the aim being (free) north-west Europe from German occupation. After waiting for the perfect (combine) of weather, moon and tides, the date for the start of Operation Overlord (set) for 6 June. Supreme Allied Commander General Eisenhower issued an order to the troops. With these words (ring) in their ears, Allied soldiers prepared for what would become known as D-Day. dawn on 6 June, thousands landed by parachute behind enemy lines in northern France. Meanwhile, thousands more were journeying across the English Channel to Normandy, (protect) by fighter planes in the skies above them. Their objective was clear: to reach the Normandy beaches along about 80 kilometres of French coastline. The fiercest fighting was at Omaha Beach. The enemy were hiding, ready to attack the Allied soldiers even before they reached land. Boats were hit and men drowned, those who did make it to the beach faced heavy machine gunfire. By mid-morning, hundreds lay dead in the water and amongst the tanks on the beach. But, despite the high cost in human life, the D-Day landings were success and were seen (wide) as the beginning of the end of the Second World War.