The Science of D-Day

Seventy years ago, one of history’s most significant amphibious operations was launched from the southern coast of England. In just a few hours, 7,000 ships had transported 156,000 soldiers to the Normandy beaches. This operation altered the war’s trajectory and marked the first use of groundbreaking scientific and engineering innovations. In this program, engineer Rob Bell delves into the mechanics that made this extraordinary invasion feasible, from massive troop-carrying gliders to amphibious tanks. It highlights how necessity drove innovation, though not all inventions succeeded, sometimes with catastrophic results. We explore the reasons behind these outcomes. This is the science behind D-Day.