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The Science Of D-Day

Engineer Rob Bell explores the new inventions - from giant troop carrying gliders to tanks that could operate on water - that made the Normandy invasion possible seventy years ago.

Seventy years ago one of the greatest amphibious assaults in history was launched from here on the south coast of England. And within a matter of hours, 7000 vessels had landed 156,000 troops on the beaches of Normandy. It was a manoeuvre that changed the course of the war and tested innovations in science and engineering for the first time. On this programme, engineer Rob Bell looks at the nuts and bolts which made such a staggering invasion possible. From giant troop carrying gliders to tanks that could drive on water. How necessity really did become the mother of invention. Like all new inventions - not all of them worked and resulted in devastating consequences. We find out why. This is the science of D-Day.

30 minutes

Last on

Sun 22 Jun 2014 15:30GMT
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D-Day fact file

  • D-Day was the start of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied western Europe
  • It took place on 6 June 1944
  • 156,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of occupied France's coastline to fight Nazi Germany
  • D-Day had been planned for more than a year, and those who were to take part spent several months training
  • The ambitious air and sea assault was dependent on a combination of factors, including the weather, tidal conditions and surprise
  • It was originally scheduled for 5 June
  • Storms forced Supreme Allied Commander Gen Dwight Eisenhower to put it back 24 hours. Finally, the weather improved and he gave the command
  • A total of 156,000 men took part in D-Day, but many times that number were to be involved in the ensuing campaign over the next few months
  • A total of 6,000 ships and landing craft were involved, delivering troops to five beaches along a carefully selected stretch of the Normandy coast

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D-Day innovations

Seven thousand vessels landed 156,000 troops on the beaches of Normandy within a few hours as part of the D-Day landings.

Major Percy Hobart was the man behind many of these unconventional inventions known as 'Hobart's Funnies' including the Sherman Duplex Drive Tank and the flame-throwing Crocodile.

Credits

Presenter Rob Bell
Producer Richard Townsend
Editor Jane French

Broadcasts