The Human Cost of D-Day
More than 4,400 Allied troops perished on D-Day alone
The D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944, marked the beginning of the end for Hitler’s 1,000 year Reich. Operation Overlord involved a massive coalition of forces, and resulted in significant casualties.
As we remember the Normandy invasions today, it’s worth remembering just how many were injured, and how many made the ultimate sacrifice.
Based on research by the National D-Day Memorial Foundation and other historical sources, between 4,414 and 4,427 Allied troops lost their lives on D-Day:
- United States: 2,501 killed
- United Kingdom: 1,449 killed
- Canada: 359 killed
- France: 10 killed (Free French commandos)
- Other Allied nations: 95 killed
Precise daily casualty figures for June 7 to June 9, 1944, are difficult to determine due to the fluid nature of the battle and record-keeping limitations. However, estimates indicate that Allied forces continued to sustain significant losses as they pushed inland from the beaches to secure the foothold needed for further operations.
Overall, during the Battle of Normandy (June 6 to August 21, 1944), Allied forces suffered approximately 209,000 casualties, with over 37,000 killed.
And, lest we forget the total cost of the Normandy invasion, the Axis Powers—primarily Germany—suffered between 400,000 and 530,000 total casualties, including an estimated 200,000 killed, ~250,000 wounded, and ~200,000 missing or captured—some 50,000 of which were captured in the Falaise Pocket, August 12-21, 1944.
