Commemorating D-Day: A Historical Perspective from Above
June 6, 1944, remains etched in history as a defining moment of the Second World War: D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy. A coalition of Allied forces embarked on a daring mission to breach the heavily fortified coastline of an occupied France. Over 40 British and American sorites and missions were flown over Normandy on 6 June. Documentation of the beaches and routes inland, the reconnaissance missions were to capture evidence of progress, and to search for signs of German reaction.
At the National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), the collection offers a unique vantage point to revisit the events of D-Day. With a vast archive of aerial imagery available on our website, you can explore the documentary evidence of the invasion, as events unfolded. From the early morning paratroop drops and glider landings, to the advance of Allied forces inland, NCAP’s collections offer a comprehensive visual narrative of one of the most consequential days of the 20th century.
Tanks and other vehicles advance at OMAHA Beach; Collection: ACIU, Sortie: US7/1744, Frame: 4015 (06 June 1944)
NCAP has digitised Allied aerial photography of the landings held by the UK, as declassified MOD reconnaissance imagery held by NCAP, and that also held by the United States through their partnership with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) based in Washington D.C. Over 7,750 images covering Normandy on 6 June 1944 are now accessible on our Air Photo Finder.
NCAP played a pivotal role in unearthing new narratives around these events, as its images took centre stage in a BBC documentary series, "D-Day: The Last Heroes."
NCAP imagery has also found its way into the homes of over 100 million households in the USA through the Discovery Channel's production, "D-Day in 3D." The documentary unveils the innovative use of stereoscopic reconnaissance photography, revealing the intricacies of Normandy's coastal defences – aptly dubbed the "devil's garden”.
Explore the legacy of this historic event through the unparalleled perspective of aerial photography.
Read more about collections relating to D-Day in our Image Collections pages.
