This how The Irish Times announced on Wednesday, June 7th, 1944 the Allied invasion of Nazi occupied France the day before:
THE ALLIED INVASION OF NORTHERN FRANCE, BEGUN YESTERDAY AT DAWN, WAS PROGRESSING “SATISFACTORILY “ LAST NIGHT, AND, ACCORDING TO MR. WINSTON CHURCHILL, THE LANDING TROOPS HAD SUCCEEDED IN PENETRATING INLAND TO A DEPTH OF SEVERAL MILES IN PLACES. AN ALLIED COMMUNIQUE LAST NIGHT STATED:-
“ Shortly before midnight on June 5th, 1944, Allied night bombers opened assault. Their attacks, in very great strength, continued until dawn. Between 06.30 and 07.30 hours this morning two naval task forces, commanded by Rear-Admiral Sir Philip Via, flying his flag H.M.S Scylla (Captain T.M. Brownrigg, CBE. RN), and Read-Admiral Alan Kirk, U.S.N. in U.S.S Augusta launched their assault forces at enemy beaches.
“The naval forces, which had previously assembled under the overall command of Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, made their departure in fresh weather, and were joined during the night be bombarding forces which had previously left northern waters. Channels had to be swept throught the large enemy minefields.
“This operation was completed shortly before dawn, and mine-sweeping flotillas continued to sweep towards the enemy coast, the entire naval force followed down swept channels behind them towards their objectives.
“ Shortly before the assault three enemy torpedo-boats with armed trawlers in company, attempted to interfere with the operation, and were promptly driven off. One enemy trawler was sunk and another severely damaged. The assault forces moved towards the beaches under cover of heavy bombardment from destroyers and other support craft, whole heavier ships engaged enemy batteries which had already been subjected to bombardment from the air. Some of these were silenced.
“Allied force continued to engage other batteries. Landings were effected under cover of the air and naval bombardments, and air-borne landings, involving troop-carrying aircraft and gliders carrying large forces of troops, were also made successfully at a number of points.
“Reports of operations so far show that our forces succeeded in their landings. Fighting continues. Allied heavy, medium and light and fight-bombers continued in the air bombardment in very great strength throughout the day with attacks on gun placements, defensive works, and communications.
“Continuous fighter cover was maintained over the beaches and for some distance inland, and over naval operations in the Channel. Our night fighters played an equally important role in protecting shipping and troop carrier forces and intruder operations.
“Allied reconnaissance aircraft maintained continuous watch by day and night over shipping and ground forces. Our aircraft met with little enemy fighter opposition or anti-aircraft gunfire. Naval casualties were regarded as being very light, especially when the magnitude of the operation is taken into account”