Gold Beach was a codename for one of the three British landing zones in the Allied invasion Normandy, which took place on June 6, 1944, during the Second World War. From the six Allied landing sectors, Gold Beach lay in the center, between Arromanches and Ver-sur-Mer. The 50th Northumbrian Infantry Division and the British 8th Armored Brigade (2nd Army), under the command of Lieutenant-General Miles Dempsey, were assigned to secure a beachhead. Gold Beach was five-mile wide and was subdivided into three narrow landing zones: Item, Jig (Green and Red), and King (also Green and Red).
The 231rst and 69th Infantry Brigades from the 50th Northumbrian Infantry Division, landed first on King sector at 07:25 hours and secured a beachhead. They were followed by the 56th Infantry Brigade and 151st Infantry Brigades who pushed south-west towards Route National 13; these elements were supported by tanks of the 8th Armored Brigade.
The 47 Royal Marine Commando captured Port-en-Bessin on the west and linked up with American forces landing on Omaha Beach. Other elements of the 50th Infantry Division met the Canadian troops coming ashore on Juno Beach. By the end of the day, more than 25,000 troops landed on Gold Beach and spearhead elements had advanced 6 miles inland.
