how many allied ships invaded Normandy on D-Day?

Answer 1

~No ships invaded Normandy. They delivered the troops and supplies, they carried the sections of Mulberry harbor, and they engaged in the pre-invasion bombardment and provided off-shore artillery support.

Admiral Bertram Ramsey did a heck of a job coordinating the naval operations, but without the prior exploits of the US Army Air Corps, the RAF and the RCAF, the landings couldn't have proceeded.

The exact number of ships used during Neptune and Overlord is unknown. Since half of the transports could not cross the channel on their own, hundreds of tugboats were used and they made several crossings. There were also an unknown number of launches assigned to rescue operations. The total number of ships involved is estimated at the low end to be around 4,100 and at the high end at over 6,000. If it's homework, you best do some reading, pick the number (or range) you want to use, then be prepared to support your reliance on the source(s) you select.

Answer 2

Well yes, there was quite a possible alternative actually. When the US joined the war in 1941, and when they decided to focus on Europe more, they pushed the British immediatly for a chance to invade the coast just across the channel. THe British refused, Churchill demanding they attack and reinforce North Africa, and then continue up into Italy. To test it out a small invasion of 6 000 men happened at Dieppe, north of Normandy and just short of Belgium. It was a miserable failiure, with thousands dieing. When North Africa was secured the French were more active; they started demanding that an attack come in at Southern France around near Marseille, Nice. Churchill liked the idea as it was 'the soft underbelly of Nazi Europe' as he stated. But Normandy was chosen. THere are reasons for this though, it was not a lottery draw. It was very close to England allowing transportation of the MASSIVE amounts of boats (10 000 transports and 200 000 soldiers!) it allowed reinoforcements to be shipped quickly, was no German controlle. It was also close to the airfields so the Airborne could drop in quickly. Plus Hitler was over confident with the Atlantic Wall. It was under supplied and under manned. The Allies knew this. Normandy went quite well, and a few month's later a second invasion, much like D - Day happened at Marseille where it was planned to be; by the French. That's all historical, of course, but you may be wondering for any other's. There is Spain, of course. But Spain was neutral (Though Patton was eager to invade). Churchill was very enthusiastic about a invasion of Norway; but many remembered the horrible failrue of '40 when the British forces defending Norway were beaten tragiclly. Northern Germany was a definte no. Way too far away, the straits of Denmark prevented a lot from getting through... it would've been plain madness. I can think of no other ways. THere is Greece, of course, but Hitler anticipated that and thought it would come there so he sent Rommel. Greece was heavily defended.

Answer 3

There are a lot of different estimates --- but no exact, reliable count.

That seems odd, considering that D-Day was such an enormously significant historical event: shouldn't we have statistics on just about everything to do with it? I think that the problem with finding an exact count of the ships may be:

(a) Defining exactly what is a "ship" as opposed to a "boat". For example, the smaller (infantry) landing craft, or even the amphibious DUKW's - are they "ships" or "boats"?

(b) Defining what we mean by D-Day. I mean, do we count only the ships that were stationed immediately off the beaches at dawn on June 6, 1944? Or do we include ships that came in to offload supplies and reinforcements later in the Normandy operation ... perhaps within 24 hours of the first wave?

I suspect that factors like those account for the numerical vagueness of most sources.

For what they may be worth, here are some quotes on D-Day ship numbers, cross-indexed to the sources listed below: -

[1] "... almost 900 warships; from the U.S, British, Canadian, Free French, Polish, Norwegian, Dutch, and Greek navies; and almost 4,100 other craft ranging in size from ocean liners to fishing boats ..."

[2] "The invasion force included 7,000 ships and landing craft manned by over 195,000 naval personnel from eight allied countries."

[3] "About 6,900 vessels would be involved in the invasion ... including 4,100 landing craft."

[4] "... the SS Jeremiah O'Brien is the sole survivor of the 6,000-ship armada that stormed Normandy on D-Day ..."

[5] "British Prime Minister Winston Churchill has told the House of Commons in London that an armada of 4,000 ships has crossed the Channel to France."

[6] "The Allied navies and merchant navies assembled more than 6000 vessels to transport the invasion force and provide naval fire support."

[7] "... over 5,000 ships and 4,000 additional "ship-to-shore" craft were to be engaged in the Channel operations during the assault and build-up period."

[8] There is a book, which I have not read, "D-Day ships : the Allied invasion fleet, June 1944" by Yves Buffetaut, available from many public libraries. To judge only from its title, it seems to me that the answer (if there really is just one correct answer) to your Q should be found there.

Answer 4

There were over 5,000 ships involved in Operation Neptune, which was the Naval portion of Operation Overlord (invasion of the Normandy Peninsula). The flagship for the operation was the U.S. cruiser, USS Augusta.

Answer 5

over 5,000

heres a link to a website that has alot of facts about it
http://www.epinions.com/content_4761165956

Answer 6

literally hundreds.