Which major operation involved the participation of Naval Combat Demolition Units (NCDU's)?

Operation OVERLORD was the code name for the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II, and it encompassed a set of critical operations, including Operation NEPTUNE, which specifically dealt with the amphibious landings. The Naval Combat Demolition Units (NCDUs) played a pivotal role in this operation by conducting reconnaissance of the beaches and performing demolition work to clear obstacles placed by the Germans along the coastline.

NCDUs were responsible for neutralizing underwater and beach obstacles (such as barbed wire and mines) that could impede the landing forces. Their efforts were essential for paving the way for the assault troops to land safely and successfully establish a beachhead, ultimately contributing to the broader objectives of Operation OVERLORD.

While Operation NEPTUNE was a component of OVERLORD focusing on the landings themselves, the overall significance of NCDUs is best highlighted within the context of Operation OVERLORD, as it reflects their strategic importance in the success of the D-Day landings and the subsequent liberation of Western Europe.