<P> Over ninety - four thousand troops and eleven thousand vehicles were landed on the first day . A number of German troops had been diverted to fight the Allied forces in Northern France after Operation Overlord and a major attack by French resistance fighters, coordinated by Captain Aaron Bank of the OSS, helped drive the remaining German forces back from the beachhead in advance of the landing . As a result, the Allied forces met little resistance as they moved inland . The quick success of this invasion, with a twenty - mile penetration in twenty - four hours, sparked a major uprising by resistance fighters in Paris . </P> <P> Follow - up formations included US VI Corps HQ, US Seventh Army HQ, French Army B (later redesignated the French First Army) and French I and II Corps . </P> <P> The rapid retreat of the German Nineteenth Army resulted in swift gains for the Allied forces . The plans had envisaged greater resistance near the landing areas and underestimated transport needs . The consequent need for vehicle fuel outstripped supply, and this shortage proved to be a greater impediment to the advance than German resistance . As a result, several German formations escaped into the Vosges and Germany . </P> <P> The Dragoon force met up with southern thrusts from Overlord in mid-September, near Dijon . </P>

What did they fight for in world war 2