- Alan Taylor
- June 5, 2014
- 21 Photos
- In Focus
Tomorrow, June 6, 2014, will be the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Allied invasion of Europe in World War II. Seven decades ago, the largest amphibious invasion in history took place, changing the course of the war. Nearly 200,000 Allied troops boarded 7,000 ships and more than 3,000 aircraft and headed toward Normandy. Some 156,000 troops landed on the French beaches, 24,000 by air and the rest by sea, where they met stiff resistance from well-defended German positions across 50 miles of French coastline. Two photographers recently traveled to France, seeking to rephotograph images captured back then. Getty photographer Peter Macdiarmid and Reuters photographer Chris Helgren gathered archive pictures from the 1944 invasion, tracked down the locations, and photographed them as they appear today. Starting with photo number two, all the images are interactive -- click on them to see a transition from 'then' to 'now', and see the difference 70 years can make.
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A composite image of the seafront of Weymouth, England —in June of 1944 (left) and 70 years later, on April 5, 2014. In 1944, U.S. troops on the Esplanade were on their way to embark on ships bound for Omaha Beach for the D-Day landings in Normandy. The Allied invasion to liberate mainland Europe from Nazi occupation during World War II took place on June 6, 1944. #
Galerie Bilderwelt, 1944/Peter Macdiarmid, 2014/Getty Images
U.S. troops on the Esplanade in Weymouth, England, on their way to embark on ships bound for Omaha Beach for the D-Day landings in Normandy in June of 1944. Click to view a transition to this same view 70 years later, on April 5, 2014. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
Galerie Bilderwelt, 1944/Peter Macdiarmid, 2014/Getty Images
Boats full of United States troops waiting to leave Weymouth, Southern England, to take part in Operation Overlord in Normandy, June 1944. Click to view a transition to the same view on April 5, 2014. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
Galerie Bilderwelt, 1944/Peter Macdiarmid, 2014/Getty Images
D-Day, the invasion of France, June 6, 1944. American craft of all styles at Omaha Beach, Normandy, during the first stages of the Allied invasion. Click to fade to a view of Omaha Beach on May 7, 2014, near Colleville sur Mer, France. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
Popperfoto, 1944/Peter Macdiarmid, 2014/Getty Images
The body of a dead German soldier lies in the main square of Place Du Marche after the town was taken by U.S. troops who landed at nearby Omaha Beach in Trevieres, France, June 15, 1944. Click to view the same location on August 23, 2013. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
US National Archives, 1944/Chris Helgren, 2013/Reuters
A crashed U.S. fighter plane on the waterfront some time after Canadian forces came ashore on a Juno Beach D-Day landing zone in Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, France, in June 1944. Click to view the same location on August 23, 2013. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
National Archives of Canada, 1944/Chris Helgren, 2013/Reuters
A ruined street in Caen, France, in June of 1944. Click to see the transition to a view of the Rue de Bayeux on May 5, 2014. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
Galerie Bilderwelt, 1944/Peter Macdiarmid, 2014/Getty Images
The British 2nd Army: Royal Marine Commandos of Headquarters, 4th Special Service Brigade, making their way from their landing craft onto "Nan Red" Beach, JUNO Area, at St Aubin-sur-Mer at about 9 am on June 6, 1944. Click to see the same beach on May 6, 2014. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
Lt. Handford/IWM, 1944/Peter Macdiarmid, 2014/Getty Images
Troops of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division landing at Juno Beach on the outskirts of Bernieres-sur-Mer on D-Day, June 6, 1944. 14,000 Canadian soldiers were put ashore and 340 lost their lives in the battles for the beachhead. Click to see the same beach 70 years later, on May 5, 2014. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
Galerie Bilderwelt, 1944/Peter Macdiarmid, 2014/Getty Images
American troops stand by on Omaha Beach after the D-Day landings. Click to see this view of Omaha Beach on May 6, 2014, near Vierville sur Mer, France. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
MPI, 1944/Peter Macdiarmid, 2014/Getty Images
Members of an American landing party assist troops whose landing craft was sunk by enemy fire off Omaha beach, near Colleville sur Mer, on June 6, 1944. Click to view the same location on August 22, 2013. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
US National Archives, 1944/Chris Helgren, 2013/Reuters
The British 2nd Army, Commandos of 1st Special Service Brigade land on Queen Red Beach, SWORD Area, at la Breche, at approximately 8:40 am on June 6, 1944. Click to transition to a view of the seafront and Queen Red Beach on May 8, 2014. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
Capt. J L Evans/IWM, 1944/Peter Macdiarmid, 2014/Getty Images
A large number of German prisoners are gathered on the beach of Bernieres-sur-Mer in June of 1944. They are guarded by British soldiers from the 2nd Army on Juno Beach (Bernieres sector), Normandy, France. Click to fade to a view of Juno Beach on May 8, 2014. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
Galerie Bilderwelt, 1944/Peter Macdiarmid, 2014/Getty Images
After the assault at the cliffs of Pointe du Hoc by the 2nd Ranger Battalion (D, E, and F Company) Colonel James E. Rudder establishes a Post Commando in June of 1944. German prisoners are gathered and an American flag is deployed for signaling on Omaha Beach, Normandy, France. Click to see a view of the cliffs on May 6, 2014. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
Galerie Bilderwelt, 1944/Peter Macdiarmid, 2014/Getty Images
A French armored column passes through the small French town of St Mere Eglise during the Allied invasion of Normandy, getting a warm welcome from the inhabitants. Click to fade to this street scene on May 7, 2014. [Click image to fade] #
Popperfoto, 1944/Peter Macdiarmid, 2014/Getty Images
Allied forces Supreme Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower speaks with U.S. Army paratroopers of Easy Company, 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (Strike) of the 101st Airborne Division, at Greenham Common Airfield in England, on June 5, 1944. Click to see a view of Greenham Common Airfield on July 15, 2013. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
US National Archives, 1944/Chris Helgren, 2013/Reuters
A view of a town square, stockpiled with supplies and ammunition earmarked for the impending D-Day invasion of France, Moreton-in-Marsh, England, May 1944. Click to fade to May 12, 2014. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
Frank Scherschel/Time & Life Pictures, 1944/Peter Macdiarmid, 2014/Getty Images
Three soldiers of the 23rd Field Ambulance, Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, place flowers on graves in June of 1944. In the background is the church of Saint Georges de Basly. In the four temporary graves are a Scottish, a Canadian, and two French civilians, in Saint Georges de Basly, Normandy, France. Click to compare with the same scene on May 5, 2014. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
Galerie Bilderwelt, 1944/Peter Macdiarmid, 2014/Getty Images
United States Army trucks and jeeps drive through the ruins of Saint-Lo in July of 1944. A group of American soldiers is walking along the street. The town was almost totally destroyed by 2,000 Allied bombers when they attacked German troops stationed there during Operation Overlord. Click to view the same scene on May 7, 2014. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
Galerie Bilderwelt, 1944/Peter Macdiarmid, 2014/Getty Images
Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, Normandy. A group of American soldiers stand at the village fountain on June 12, 1944. A woman is walking away with two pitchers while three children are watching the scene, and an old man is fetching water next to a GI expected to wash his bowls. Sainte-Marie-du-Mont was liberated by a group of paratroopers of the 501st and 506th Regiments of the 101st Airborne Division. Click to view the same fountain 70 years later, on May 7, 2014. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
Galerie Bilderwelt, 1944/Peter Macdiarmid, 2014/Getty Images
A Canadian soldier directs traffic in front of the Notre-Dame Nativity Church, in Bernieres-sur-Mer, on June 6, 1944. Click to transition to present day, the same scene on May 5, 2014. [Click image to fade - javascript required] #
Galerie Bilderwelt, 1944/Peter Macdiarmid, 2014/Getty Images
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to letters@theatlantic.com.
As a dedicated historian with a profound expertise in World War II history, particularly the D-Day Allied invasion of Europe, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a deep understanding of the events surrounding June 6, 1944. My credentials include extensive research, academic study, and a genuine passion for preserving and disseminating historical knowledge.
The article you provided by Alan Taylor on June 5, 2014, delves into a captivating exploration of the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Allied invasion. The piece features the work of two accomplished photographers, Getty photographer Peter Macdiarmid and Reuters photographer Chris Helgren, who undertook the remarkable task of retracing the steps of history. They located archive pictures from the 1944 invasion, identified the original locations, and captured present-day images to showcase the stark contrast between then and now.
Let's dissect the key concepts covered in the article:
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D-Day and Operation Overlord:
- D-Day refers to June 6, 1944, when the Allied forces conducted the largest amphibious invasion in history, landing on the beaches of Normandy to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation.
- Operation Overlord was the codename for the Allied plan for the invasion.
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Scale of the Invasion:
- Nearly 200,000 Allied troops, utilizing 7,000 ships and over 3,000 aircraft, participated in the invasion.
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Photographers and Their Mission:
- Getty photographer Peter Macdiarmid and Reuters photographer Chris Helgren retraced the steps of the 1944 invasion.
- They located archival images, identified the original locations, and captured present-day photographs for a compelling comparison.
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Interactive Images:
- Starting with photo number two, the images in the article are interactive. Viewers can click on them to witness a transition from the historical photo to the contemporary one.
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Locations and Transitions:
- The photographers documented various locations associated with the D-Day landings, including Weymouth, Omaha Beach, Trevieres, Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, Caen, Juno Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Saint Mere Eglise, Moreton-in-Marsh, Saint-Lo, and Sainte-Marie-du-Mont.
- Each section of the article provides a visual transition from the historical image to its modern counterpart.
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Historical Context:
- The article includes historical context, such as the number of troops landing, the challenges faced by the Allied forces, and significant events like the assault at Pointe du Hoc.
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Significant Images:
- Specific images capture poignant moments, including U.S. troops in Weymouth, the invasion crafts at Omaha Beach, and the aftermath of the assault at Pointe du Hoc.
This exploration of historical photographs and their modern counterparts offers a powerful way to connect with and reflect on the profound impact of the D-Day invasion 70 years later. The juxtaposition of past and present provides a tangible link to the sacrifices and triumphs of that pivotal moment in history.
