Today in 1944: American troops land at Omaha Beach for the invasion of Normandy, France, known as D-Day. Robert Capa was one of two magazine war correspondents allowed to join the U.S. troops landing on the shores of Normandy.
Dodging bullets and hiding behind pieces of steel, Capa photographed for hours in waist-deep water with several cameras. His hands trembled, and he ruined many rolls of film as he tried to change film amid the dead and wounded of the battle.
His photos were sent directly to the offices of LIFE in London for processing. Hurrying to develop the rolls, a technician turned up the heat in the dryers, ruining many of the 72 images taken. Only 11 survived.
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