On June 6, 1944, Allied forces crossed the English Channel and began to reclaim the European mainland.
That day, 73 years ago, marked a turning point on the western front and in World War II.
The following images give you some idea of what those American, British, and Canadian troops saw when they left their landing craft and waded into history.
Robert Johnson composed an earlier version of this story.
SEE ALSO: What it was like in the room when Nazi Germany finally surrendered to end World War II in Europe
It was overcast and foggy on June 6, 1944, when 160,000 troops landed on France's Normandy coastline.
Beaches along a 50-mile section of the Normandy coast were given five names — Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. Each was heavily defended by German troops.
The clouds kept Allied bombers from targeting the German forces and softening up their defenses.
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