Air War
Western Europe – ‘Transportation Plan’: In preparation for D-Day, Allied Air Forces have flown 200,000 sorties delivering 200,000 t bombs in only 2 months (200 planes lost). French railway system virtually immobilized; all bridges over river Seine, between Paris and the Channel, destroyed; coastal radar chain disrupted. Final strike is saturation bombing (5,267 t) of 10 coastal batteries by 1,136 RAF heavy bombers (night June 5-6).
Allied airborne invasion of Normandy (night June 5-6): US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions land in South Cotentin Peninsular; British 6th Airborne Division lands near Caen.
Operation Taxable: 5 RAF Bomber Command squadrons and 18 naval vessels carry out diversionary operations in Pas de Calais area.
Politics
Italy: King Victor Emmanuel cedes power to son Umberto as Lieutenant-General of Realm.
