The western Allies, and Normandy, played a strictly supporting role in the great European war. D-Day was the opening of a second front, designed as a strategic diversion from the main axis of operations. This column is not noted for being pro-Soviet. But give the USSR its due. The Soviet Union played the paramount role in defeating Hitler.
Figures speak for themselves.
Stalin's Red Army destroyed 507 German divisions and 100 divisions of Nazi allied states. Soviet forces downed 77,000 German warplanes, knocked out 107,000 heavy guns and 48,000 German tanks. The USSR, in turn, lost at least 20 million casualties. Russian historians now say the real figure could be closer to 30 million. Compared to this duel of giants, Normandy was a large raid.