How did the Normandy beaches get their code names?

The code names for the Normandy beaches used in the D-Day landings were assigned based on their geographical locations and specific features. Here are the reasons behind the code names:

1. Omaha Beach:

- Named after the nearby town of Omaha, France.

- It was the longest of the five landing beaches and was divided into sectors: Easy Red, Dog Green, Dog White, Fox Green, and Fox Red.

2. Utah Beach:

- Named after the Utah Beach Hotel, which was located near the landing site.

- The name was chosen because it did not resemble any known place in the English language, making it less likely to be intercepted by German intelligence.

3. Gold Beach:

- Derived from the name of the nearby town of Gold, located about 1 mile from the beach.

4. Juno Beach:

- Named after the Roman goddess Juno, associated with marriage, childbirth, and women.

- The name was chosen to honor the contributions of Canadian forces participating in the landings.

5. Sword Beach:

- Named after the town of Ouistreham, which is located near the beach and has the French word "épée" (sword) in its name.

6. Mulberry:

- This was not a beach name but the code name for the temporary harbors constructed off the coast of Normandy to assist in the unloading of supplies.

The code names were carefully selected to be easy to remember, pronounce, and unlikely to be deciphered by German forces. They were also assigned to specific geographical locations to help coordinate the landings and ensure that troops were deployed to the correct areas.