The Great Crusade

 Preparing for D-Day was a months-long endeavour of training, planning, and careful reconnaissance. It would become the greatest seaborne invasion ever mounted, and the turning of the tide of the Second World War. The Normandy campaign is the next stage in this gallery.

It was an all-in endeavour, with air assets covering the invasion and dropping paratroopers, naval assets bringing in the fleet and supporting the operation, and soldiers landing on five beaches in Normandy, France.

Americans were assigned to Utah and Omaha Beaches. The British were to take Gold and Sword Beaches. The Canadians would fight their way ashore at Juno Beach. June 6th, 1944 was one of the most pivotal days in history.

Two paintings are among the first things one sees along the path. Invasion Pattern Normandy is by Eric Aldwinckle, depicting that day as seen from above, with a Canadian Mustang fighter plane in action.

D-Day- The Assault is by Orville Fisher, who has the unique distinction of being the only commissioned war artist to land on the beach that day. As Canadian soldiers around him fought their way along the beach, Fisher took out his sketch pad and pencils and drew what he was seeing, later transferring his work to the canvas.

Photos and quotes speak volumes of that first day.

Close by is a door leading out onto a terrace. Below is Lebreton Gallery, where a large collection of vehicles and equipment from around the world is found. This being a few days before Remembrance Day, staff were busy setting things up for that occasion.

A look at firepower of the Normandy campaign.

It would be a bloody battle, for both sides.