SHAEF Establishes Standard Beach Markings and Navigation Signals for the Normandy Invasion (1944)

Date: January 29, 1944

Created By: H.R. Bull

Original or Replica: Original

Era: The General, D-Day and the Normandy Invasion

Collection: Eisenhower Presidential Library

Citations: DDE’s Pre-Presidential Papers, Box 136, Conferences Supreme Commanders (Jan-June 1944); NAID #12005223

This January 29, 1944 Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) operations memorandum establishes a standardized system of beach markings, lights, and navigation signals for the planned Allied invasion of Europe. Issued by command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the instructions were designed to help ships and landing craft identify designated sectors and beaches and safely navigate toward shore during amphibious operations. The memorandum divides coastlines into sectors identified by letters and individual beaches identified by colors, creating a common system that Allied forces could use during the invasion.

The document provides detailed instructions for daytime and nighttime identification of landing areas, including colored panels, flags, lights, beach-master markings, casualty evacuation signals, and danger markers. The diagram on page 5 illustrates the appearance and dimensions of these standardized signals, including markers identifying the center and boundaries of beaches, transit routes, casualty evacuation points, beach-master locations, and hazardous areas. Additional instructions establish methods for marking offshore wrecks, obstructions, and navigation hazards.

Produced more than four months before D-Day, the memorandum demonstrates the enormous logistical planning required for Operation Overlord. Even seemingly small details—such as how landing craft would recognize the correct beach or identify a safe route at night—had to be standardized across the multinational Allied invasion force.