The History Channel remembers the 60th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy, D-Day, that historic day on June 6, 1944, when the Allies stormed the shores of Normandy in occupied France with a huge military force, changing the face of World War II. The brilliant strategic move initiated by General Eisenhower and his deputy, Field Marshal Montgomery, completely surprised the Germans, who were expecting the Allies near Calais, on the shores of the narrow part of the English Channel, the sea border between Britain and France.

To this day it is considered the largest naval invasion in history. Paratroopers from Unit 502 of the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army played a key role on the eve of the Allied invasion of the Normandy shores of France.
Follow the famed 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment as the advance across Europe. This riveting 2-part series hosted by Ron Livingston of HBO's "Band of Brothers" weaves together archival footage, sophisticated computer animation and interviews with actual WWII veterans in order to tell the complete story of the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment's accomplishments during D-Day and the subsequent week. The 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment of the famed 101st Airborne Division was one of the most decorated units of D-Day.
Foglight Entertainment has talently mixed WWII footage from the Carentan Historical center mixed with footage from the game to tell the story of the 101st Airborne, 502nd Parachute Infantry from June 6, 1944, and the D-Day invasion of Normandy through June 13, 1944. The footage supplements firsthand accounts from locals and veterans, commentary from historians Mark Bando, Michel De trez, John Antal and photos and archival footage, all presented by host famous Band of Brothers actor Ron Livingston. Most of the outdoor filming has been done on the original combat ground at Saint-Come-du-Mont and Carentan.

Produced by Foglight Entertainment, NY, for The History Channel with the collaboration of The Carentan Historical Center, "D" Company, 505th PIR, 82 A/B WWII Living history Association, UK and Gearbox Software

PART 1: D-Day
Regarded as the turning point of WWII, the daybreak invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944 actually began the night before. Shrouded in darkness, 18,000 Allied paratroopers jumped into the fog and flak-filled skies, landing behind enemy lines beforethe full invasion. Among them, the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the famed 101st Airborne Division. Although they became one of the most decorated units in the D-Day operation, their story has never been fully told. We illustrate how the 502nd earned distinction by achieving vital objectives through acts of great personal bravery and strong tactical leadership. The story travels from their final staging in England to the massive confusion of that perilous night--when most troops, under heavy enemy fire, missed their intended drop zones--to their setting upon the intended targets.

PART 2: The Road to Carentan
The 502nd played a pivotal role in paving the way for the successful Allied landing at Utah Beach on D-Day, securing important German strongholds and ultimately liberating the strategically significant town of Carentan.