Normandy Invasion - D-DAY COMMANDERS

American troops load their gear and other supplies into landing craft which will take them to a beach along Normandy’s coastline. The U.S. Army Center for Military History describes this picture: “American troops load onto landing craft at a port in Britain from where they will shove off for the invasion of Europe on D-Day. Undated - June 1944.”

Eisenhower's chief of staff was Lt. General Walter Bedell Smith, an American. Most of his principal commanders were British:

• Air Chief Marshall Sir Arthur Tedder: Principal coordinator of air forces

• Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay: Invasion naval commander

• Air Chief Marshall Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory: Head of tactical air support

• Air Chief Marshall Sir Arthur T. Harris: Head of RAF Bomber Command

• Lt. General Carl Spaatz, an American: US Strategic Air Force Commander in Europe

• Gen. Sir Bernard Law Montgomery: Pro tem Commander of Allied Ground Forces

Once the troops were ashore, Lt. Gen. Omar N. Bradley (known as the "G.I's General") would lead the Americans (the First U.S. Army) while General Sir Miles Dempsey would lead the Second British Army (which included Canadians and some French troops).

Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., head of the Third U.S. Army, would join the battle after the Allies had achieved a secure foothold on the Continent.

The plan, which would give Allied Forces a chance to break the Nazi's hold on Western Europe, was called "Operation Overlord." Fraught with danger, it anticipated huge casualties as the men tried to secure Normandy's beachheads.

For paratroopers, including members of the 101st Airborne (called the "Screaming Eagles" whom General Eisenhower encouraged before they left England on June 5) and the 82nd Airborne ("All American") Divisions, the likelihood of death was seventy percent.