6/6/1944. 6.= pm John Snagge
Commanding officers in charge of the landings on
the coast of Normandy reported that everything
is going so far according to plan.
From 11.30 last night to sunlight more than
1300 bombers dropped 5000 tons of bombs on the
French coast, more than ever before. Opposition
in the air was slight today. We had 1000 planes
in operation. The fire of the shore batteries was
soon largely quelled. Supreme headquarters
Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) reported that
we have secured a beachhead and dug in.
Night fighter operation was negligible whereas
there was no air opposition on this side of
the Channel. The Germans say that 2 hours
after airborne troops had landed landing
craft landed troops between Le Havre and
Cherbourg. Over 640 naval guns were
bombarding the beaches. Before landing
craft went in 200 minesweepers, the spear point
of the spearhead, swept the seas.
Mr. Churchill said this is the greatest amphibious
operation of all times. The Dutch navy is also
among the names taking part in the
operations across the Channel. The naval
bombardments began at dawn and it
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