In the long history of the Second World War, Overlord, codename of the Allied invasion of Normandy, has a place apart. For the military the Allied undertaking remains a masterpiece of planning, organization and coordination. For the civilian populations that for four years had endured the iron rule of the German occupying forces, the June 6 offensive is remembered as signifying deliverance, the end of the nightmare and a return to freedom.

The Normandy invasion takes it place in the history of the 20th century both as a strategic exploit combining surprise and daring and as an event that was to bring immense hope.