The British and Canadians and the Battle for Caen | Beyond the Beaches

In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy hosted its latest symposium, Beyond the Beaches: D+1 and the Battle for Normandy, at The National WWII Museum on June 6–7, 2024. The program opened Thursday evening with the Gen. Raymond E. Mason Jr. Distinguished Lecture Series on World War II, featuring Pulitzer Prize winner Rick Atkinson who discussed “Operation Overlord: 80 Years On.” On Friday, the free daylong public symposium enlightened guests through presentations by leading historians on the challenges, battles, and victories that followed the June 6 Allied landings and made the liberation of Europe from Nazi oppression possible. Sessions covered the struggles of fighting in the Normandy bocage, the bitter battle for Caen, how Allied Air Power assisted the advance, and the ultimate breakout from the Normandy region. This event was free and open to the public, but registration was required.