Under heavy German machine gun fire, American infantrymen wade ashore off the ramp of a Coast Guard landing craft on June 6, 1944. (PA)
These amazing black and white photographs from June 6, 1944, show allied troops fighting their way ashore during the D-Day Landings.
The images were taken 1,000 feet above the French coastline 70 years ago, and show the dramatic moment thousands of soldiers descended on the Normandy coastline in the largest seaborne invasion force ever.
A small number of ships carrying troops approach the beaches at Sword, Juno, Gold and Omaha beaches, in an iconic battle which would define the Second World War.
Around 10,000 troops and civilians are thought to have died during D-Day, although the exact number has never been known.
On Omaha Beach 70 years ago, US Army troops fought against the German 352nd Infantry Division. (MoD)
On Omaha Beach 70 years ago, US Army troops fought against the German 352nd Infantry Division. (MoD)
A Royal Air force Mustang aircraft of II (Army Cooperation) Squadron in flight. II Sqn Mustangs were active on D-Day, not least in gathering imagery of the landing beaches to update commanders on the progress of the assault. (MoD)
In an image taken at 800ft above the coast, French villages are left in flames as the Allied forces move in. (MoD)
Troops land on Gold beach on 6 June 1944 – D-Day. This image was taken by a photo reconnaissance Mustang aircraft of II (Army Cooperation) Squadron. (MoD)
On Omaha Beach 70 years ago, US Army troops fought against the German 352nd Infantry Division. (MoD)
Troops land on Gold beach on 6 June 1944 – D-Day. This image was taken by a photo reconnaissance Mustang aircraft of II (Army Cooperation) Squadron. (MoD)
On Omaha Beach 70 years ago, US Army troops fought against the German 352nd Infantry Division. (MoD)
In an image taken at 800ft above the coast, French villages are left in flames as the Allied forces move in. (MoD)
Troops land on Gold beach on 6 June 1944 – D-Day. This image was taken by a photo reconnaissance Mustang aircraft of II (Army Cooperation) Squadron. (MoD)
US-American troops shortly after landing in the Normandy. (PA)
Under heavy German machine gun fire, American infantrymen wade ashore off the ramp of a Coast Guard landing craft on June 6, 1944. (PA)
On Omaha Beach 70 years ago, US Army troops fought against the German 352nd Infantry Division. (MoD)
A Royal Air force Mustang aircraft of II (Army Cooperation) Squadron in flight. II Sqn Mustangs were active on D-Day, not least in gathering imagery of the landing beaches to update commanders on the progress of the assault. (MoD)
In an image taken at 800ft above the coast, French villages are left in flames as the Allied forces move in. (MoD)
Troops land on Gold beach on 6 June 1944 – D-Day. This image was taken by a photo reconnaissance Mustang aircraft of II (Army Cooperation) Squadron. (MoD)
A Mustang aircraft of II (Army Cooperation) Squadron is prepared for a mission over Normandy as part of Operation Overlord on D-Day. (MoD)
US-American troops shortly after landing in the Normandy. (PA)
British troops move on the Normandy shore from their landing craft on June 6, 1944 during the huge invasion. (PA)
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