D-Day began 71 years ago today

Victoria Advocate reminds us that D-Day began 71 years ago today.

Saturday is the 71st anniversary of D-Day.

Early June 1944 is the beginning of the final phase of World War II in Europe. Most of the continent is held in the grip of Adolf Hitler's occupying forces. German garrisons dot the French coast facing the English Channel.

On the other side, a massive Allied buildup of men and machines of war swells in southern England. As a break in bad weather is finally forecast, the order is given to go on June 6. D-Day, the invasion of Normandy, begins.

5 things you don't know about D-Day

1. The "D" in D-Day doesn't stand for anything - it's just a designation for whichever day a military operation begins.

2. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower gave the go-ahead for D-Day with the words, "OK, let's go."

3. D-Day involved 4,126 landing craft.

4. Hollywood director John Ford led a camera crew on Omaha Beach filming newsreel footage.

5. More than 156,000 Allied troops landed at Normandy on D-Day; total Allied casualties are estimated at 10,000 for the day, with 2,500 dead (Total German casualties are not known, but estimates range from 4,000 to 9,000)

Read more here.