Arromanches, a beach on the English Channel in northeastern France shown in this panoramic photo, played a critical role
during the days following the June 6, 1944 D-Day invasion of Normandy when Allied forces began the drive to liberate Europe
from the control of Nazi Germany. While the majority of the battles took place on neighboring beaches (code named
Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword), Arromanches saw little fighting. Instead, it was the site that Allied forces targeted
for construction of an artificial harbor (known as a Mulberry harbor) to use for resupplying troops instead of having to capture
and liberate an existing harbor. Allied forces manufactured sections of the harbor (some of which can still be seen on the horizon)
in England and floated them across the channel into position. More photos from France are in my Cities, places gallery.