Photos of The Historic D-Day Landing Scenes in 1944 As They Appear Today

By | August 6, 2016

More than seventy years ago, the largest amphibious invasion in history took place, changing the course of the war. Nearly 156, 000 Allied troops stormed the beaches of France and more than 3,000 aircraft head toward Normandy to liberate mainland Europe.

Getty photographer Peter Macdiarmid and Reuters photographer Chris Helgren recently traveled to France to rephotograph images captured back then. The two gathered pictures from the 1944 D-day invasion, tracked down the locations of the photos, and photographed them as they appear today.

 
First Pic: June 1944, Boats full of US troops waiting to leave Weymouth to take part in Operation Overlord.

Second Pic: 5 April 2014, A view of the harbour of the English town today. This is where the Allied launched their troops for the invasion of Nazi-occupied France on D-day.

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Photos: Photographs by Galerie Bilderwelt/Getty and Peter Macdiarmid/Getty

 
First Pic: May 1944, Ammunition stored in the town square of Moreton-in-Marsh shortly before D-day.

Second Pic: 12 May 2014, A view of the high street in the English town at present.

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Photos: Frank Scherschel/Time & Life/Getty and Peter Macdiarmid/Getty

 
First Pic: June 1944, American craft of all styles gathered at Omaha Beach, Normandy, during the first stages of the Allied invasion.

Second Pic: 7 May 2014, A view of the beach near Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

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Photos: Popperfoto/Getty and Peter Macdiarmid/Getty

First Pic: 6 June 1944, Royal Marine Commandos of Headquarters, 4th Special Service Brigade, make their way onto 'Nan Red' Beach at Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer.

Second Pic: 6 May 2014, A view of the sea in the Juno beach area at present.

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Photos: Lt Handford/IWM/Getty and Peter Macdiarmid/Getty

 
First Pic: June 1944, Landing of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division troops at Juno Beach on the outskirts of Bernières-sur-Mer on D-day.

Second Pic: 5 May 2014, A view of the seafront and beach in Normandy today.

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Photos: Galerie Bilderwelt/Getty and Peter Macdiarmid/Getty

First Pic: 1944, A French armoured column passing through Sainte-Mère-Église receives a warm welcome from its inhabitants.

Second Pic: 7 May 2014, A view of the high street today.

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Photos: Popperfoto/Getty and Peter Macdiarmid/Getty

 
First Pic: 12 June 1944, American soldiers stand in the village of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, which was liberated by paratroopers of the 501st and 506th Regiments of the 101st Airborne Division.

Second Pic: 7 May 2014, A view of the old village fountain today.

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Photos: Galerie Bilderwelt/Getty and Peter Macdiarmid/Getty

First Pic: 6 June 1944: A Canadian soldier directs traffic in Bernières-sur-Mer. 14,000 Canadian soldiers landed at nearby Juno Beach.

Second Pic: 5 May 2014, A view of Notre-Dame Nativity church today.

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Photos: Galerie Bilderwelt/Getty and Peter Macdiarmid/Getty

 
First Pic: July 1944, United States Army trucks and jeeps pass through the ruins of Saint-Lo.

Second Pic: 7 May 2014: A view of the roadway in the town today.

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Photos: Galerie Bilderwelt/Getty and Peter Macdiarmid/Getty

 
First Pic: 6 June 1944: A Canadian soldier stands at the head of a group of German prisoners of war, including two officers, on Juno Beach, Normandy.

Second Pic: 8 May 2014: A view of the beach in Bernières-sur-Mer in Normandy today.

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Photos: Ken Bell/ National Archives of Canada/Galerie Bilderwelt/Getty and Peter Macdiarmid/Getty

H/T TheGuardian