Which landings were the first successful opposed landings across the English Channel in over eight centuries .
The operation , planned by a team under Lieutenant - General Frederick Morgan , was the largest amphibious invasion in world history and was executed by land , sea and air elements under direct Anglo-American command with over 160,000 soldiers landing on 6 June 1944 : 73,000 Americans , 61,715 British and 21,400 Canadians .