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“William McBride knew D-Day was near just by looking at the English sky on the evening of June 5, 1944”(McBride 9). From the airbase, the airmen could see large formations of troop carrier aircraft’s and some gliders beginning to form. This sight was very unusual and could only mean one thing. The night of June 5th was going to be a short one. The airmen were awakened around midnight to attend a mission briefing. The fighters were instructed to target and destroy German coastal gun batteries. At 12:16 a.m., British time, D-Day began. The invasion of Normandy caused many American casualties. The plan was very simple; it was to secure a port in the initial landing and to move men and supplies for an offensive thrust aimed at retaking France. The plan called for landings by Allied forces at five different beaches. The American forces were lead by Lieutenant General Omar Bradley, who was responsible for securing Utah and Omaha beaches. The British were to secure Gold and Sward beaches, while Juno beach was to be the responsibility of the Canadians. The troops used the channel to transport supplies and themselves to the five beaches. Th