WWII in Color: D-Day to Nazi Downfall

For nearly five years, Hitler's Third Reich has dominated Europe. Germany braces for an Allied invasion, fortifying the Atlantic Wall with steel, concrete, and advanced weaponry.

After 18 months of planning, 160,000 Allied troops storm Normandy in history’s largest amphibious landing. With German defenses strong, success depends on the first 24 hours.

With a foothold in Normandy, Allied forces push inland to seize a supply port and liberate Paris. Facing fierce resistance, the battle claims hundreds of thousands of lives.

Germany's retreat continues as the Allies liberate France and Belgium. Montgomery's ambition to end the war risks more than his reputation as the push toward the Netherlands begins.

Eisenhower approves a plan to break German lines by Christmas. With just seven days to prepare, Monty ignores warnings, rushes the largest airborne assault ever, and pushes ahead despite rising risks.

Airborne troops flood the Netherlands as 50,000 tanks surge from Belgium. However, stronger-than-expected German forces resist fiercely, causing the ambitious operation to falter.