What were the code names for the five beachheads invaded by the Allies on D-Day, June 6, 1944?

Overlord was the codename for the Allied invasion of German-occupied Europe during WWII. Operation Neptune was the codename for the actual invasion of Normandy. On June 6, 1944 operation Neptune got underway preceded by an airborne assault involving more than 1,200-planes, followed by an amphibious assault involving more than 5,000 vessels. Nearly 160,000 troops crossed the English Channel that morning.

In May 1943, the Trident Conference was held in Washington with Roosevelt, Churchill and military leaders from the other allied countries. Many options were discussed but the decision was made to undertake a cross-channel invasion of Europe. General Dwight D. Eisenhower was appointed the supreme commander of all Allied forces, General Bernard Montgomery was named as commander of British and Canadian troops, General Omar Bradley commanded the Americans. The coast of Normandy, in France, was chosen as the site of the invasion, with the Americans assigned to land at sectors codenamed Utah and Omaha, the British at Sword and Gold, and the Canadians at Juno.

The Allies set out over 3,200 photo-reconnaissance sorties from April 1944 until the start of the invasion. Photos of the coastline were taken at extremely low altitude to show the terrain, obstacles on the beach, and defensive structures such as bunkers and gun emplacements.

German casualties on D-Day have been estimated at 4,000 to 9,000 men. Allied casualties were at least 10,000, with 4,414 confirmed dead.