Operation Overlord took place in Normandy, France, during World War II. It was the codename for the Allied invasion and campaign that established a major foothold in German-occupied Western Europe.
The operation began on June 6, 1944, with the Normandy landings, commonly known as D-Day. Allied forces came ashore at five main beaches—Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword—along the Normandy coast. American troops landed at Utah and Omaha, British forces at Gold and Sword, and Canadian forces at Juno.
Operation Overlord is sometimes confused with Operation Neptune. Neptune was the codename for the amphibious assault phase of the invasion, while Overlord referred to the broader campaign in Normandy. The Allies used airborne troops, naval bombardment, deception operations, and artificial harbors to overcome German defenses and push inland. The Battle of Normandy ended with the German retreat across the Seine in August 1944.