says, today we remember all the americans who laid down their lives on d-day to end tyranny and ensure flame of liberty would burn bright around the world. 73,000 of those who landed in france were young american soldiers, they faced 50,000 germans. the battle began with paratroopers jumping out of a thousand planes before landing and each man carried up to 80 pounds of weapons and ammunition, 6000 vessels, the larmgest assault from sea in history. the germans were convinced this was not the main effort and nazis withheld sending critical reinforcement.