D-Day 80th Anniversary Missions
80 years ago, Allied forces undertook the largest amphibious operation in military history. Totaling nearly 7,000 ships and vessels of all types, a massive invasion fleet drawing from eight nations transported thousands of troops in a head-on assault on Fortress Europe. In honor of this milestone, World of Warships introduced three new limited-time Operations across Updates 13.4 and 13.5, spanning six weeks from May 29 to approximately July 8, 2024.
Event overview
Updates
- Update 13.4 (Operation 1) and Update 13.5 (Operations 2 & 3)
Start date
- Wed. May 29, 2024 — 04:00 AM Central (UTC−5) / 11:00 CEST (UTC+2)
End date
- Mon. Jul. 8, 2024 — 04:00 AM Central (UTC−5) / 11:00 CEST (UTC+2)
Total duration
- 6 weeks (three 2-week operations)
Battle type
- Separate D-Day event battle type (available from the port banner or battle type selector)
New port
- Normandy — limited-time event port
Update 13.4 maintenance
- NA: Wed. May 29, 2024 — 04:00 AM to 09:00 AM Central (UTC−5)
- EU: Wed. May 29, 2024 — 07:00 to 12:00 CEST (UTC+2)
- Asia: Wed. May 29, 2024 — 07:30 to 12:30 UTC+8
- Update 13.5 maintenance
- NA: Wed. Jun. 12, 2024 — 04:00 AM to 09:00 AM Central (UTC−5)
- EU: Wed. Jun. 12, 2024 — 07:00 to 12:00 CEST (UTC+2)
- Asia: Wed. Jun. 12, 2024 — 07:30 to 12:30 UTC+8
Operations
Each operation lasts two weeks, supports battleships, cruisers, and destroyers of Tiers V–VII, and accommodates up to 6 players in a division. Rental ships are available to all players who do not own a qualifying vessel.
Unlike previous thematic operations, the D-Day operations have a single difficulty level. Completing the primary objective is not the hardest challenge; bonus missions grant additional Stars that drive progression through the reward track. A new Classified Documents mechanic allows players to pre-select combat buffs tailored to specific enemy types.
Utah Beach Landing
Official video: Utah Beach Landing — Official Wargaming video (YouTube)
In Update 13.4, the first Operation puts players in command of Allied forces on the approach to Utah Beach. The mission: suppress coastal defenses and ensure the safe arrival of the Allied landing craft.
Eligible ships
| Nation | Notes |
|---|---|
| United States | All Tier V–VII ships |
| United Kingdom | All Tier V–VII ships |
| Commonwealth | All Tier V–VII ships |
| France | All Tier V–VII ships |
| Netherlands | All Tier V–VII ships |
| European nations | VII Błyskawica, VI Stord, VII Stord '43, VII Grom |
| — | Rental ships available to all players |
Atlantic Wall Defense
Official video: Atlantic Wall Defense — Official Wargaming video (YouTube)
With the start of Update 13.5, the second Operation becomes available. Players switch sides and command a squad of German destroyers tasked with delaying the Allied onslaught and defending Omaha Beach for as long as possible. This is the only Axis-perspective operation in the event, and uniquely features a minelaying mechanic.
Eligible ships
| Nation | Notes |
|---|---|
| Germany | All Tier V–VII destroyers |
| — | Rental ships available to all players |
Omaha Beach Assault
Official video: Omaha Beach Assault — Official Wargaming video (YouTube)
The final Operation takes place during the last two weeks of Update 13.5. Set only minutes after the Atlantic Wall Defense ends, Allied initial assault ships lie stranded in morning sea fog with smoke screens still active. Players command Allied warships to approach damaged vessels, rescue their crews, destroy coastal defenses, and secure a safe landing point. The German destroyers from the previous operation return as enemies joined by torpedo boats, aircraft, and minefields.
Eligible ships
| Nation | Notes |
|---|---|
| United States | All Tier V–VII ships |
| United Kingdom | All Tier V–VII ships |
| Commonwealth | All Tier V–VII ships |
| France | All Tier V–VII ships |
| Netherlands | All Tier V–VII ships |
| — | Rental ships available to all players |
Classified Documents
The D-Day event introduced a brand-new mechanic: Classified Documents. Before each battle, players can select up to three Classified Documents that boost their ship's effectiveness against specific enemy types. These bonuses only affect interactions with specific enemies they do not affect teammates.
Each Classified Document comes in three secrecy levels:
- Confidential — base tier
- Secret — inherits Confidential bonuses and adds new ones
- Top Secret — inherits Secret bonuses and adds further enhancements
Higher-level documents replace the lower one of the same type. Players can receive any level even without owning the base Confidential version; once all 6 Confidential Allied (or Axis) documents are collected, only higher levels drop.
Players select documents before the battle starts or within the first 30 seconds of battle. If no selection is made, the game automatically assigns suitable ones.
Upon event start, all players receive 2 random Classified Documents — one Allied, one Axis. Additional documents are earned by progressing through the reward track.
Allied Classified Documents (vs. Axis enemies)
| Document | Level | Effect | Parameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Torpedo Boats | Confidential | Received torpedo damage | −30% |
| Secret | Received torpedo damage • Risk of flooding | −30% • −90% | |
| Top Secret | Received torpedo damage • Risk of flooding | −60% • −90% | |
| Torpedo Destroyers | Confidential | Max main battery shell dispersion | −30% |
| Secret | Max main battery shell dispersion • Received torpedo damage | −30% • −30% | |
| Top Secret | Max main battery shell dispersion • Received torpedo damage • Main battery HE shell damage • Secondary battery HE shell damage | −30% • −30% • +20% • +20% | |
| Artillery Destroyers | Confidential | Max main battery shell dispersion | −30% |
| Secret | Max main battery shell dispersion • Risk of catching fire | −30% • −90% | |
| Top Secret | Max main battery shell dispersion • Risk of catching fire • Main battery HE shell damage • Secondary battery HE shell damage | −30% • −90% • +20% • +20% | |
| Aircraft | Confidential | Continuous AA damage | +30% |
| Secret | Continuous AA damage • Received AP rocket damage • Received AP bomb damage • Received aerial torpedo damage | +30% • −30% • −30% • −30% | |
| Top Secret | Continuous AA damage • Received AP rocket damage • Received AP bomb damage • Received aerial torpedo damage • AA salvo shell explosions | +30% • −30% • −30% • −30% • +3 | |
| Mines | Confidential | Depth charge explosion radius | +20% |
| Secret | Depth charge explosion radius • Received mine damage | +20% • −30% | |
| Top Secret | Depth charge explosion radius • Received mine damage | +50% • −90% | |
| Shore Installations | Confidential | Main battery AP shell damage vs. shore targets | +30% |
| Secret | Main battery AP shell damage vs. shore targets • Secondary battery HE shell damage vs. shore targets | +30% • +30% | |
| Top Secret | Main battery AP shell damage vs. shore targets • Secondary battery HE shell damage vs. shore targets • Depth charge explosion radius vs. shore targets | +30% • +30% • +50% |
Axis Classified Documents (vs. Allied enemies)
| Document | Level | Effect | Parameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large Ships | Confidential | Received HE shell damage | −30% |
| Secret | Received HE shell damage • Risk of catching fire | −30% • −90% | |
| Top Secret | Received HE shell damage • Risk of catching fire • Main battery AP shell damage | −30% • −90% • +20% | |
| Destroyers | Confidential | Received HE shell damage from destroyers | −30% |
| Secret | Received HE shell damage from destroyers • Torpedo reload time | −30% • −20% | |
| Top Secret | Received HE shell damage from destroyers • Torpedo reload time • Max torpedo tube traverse speed | −30% • −20% • +100% | |
| Aircraft | Confidential | Continuous AA damage | +30% |
| Secret | Continuous AA damage • Received AP bomb damage • Received aerial torpedo damage | +30% • −30% • −30% | |
| Top Secret | Continuous AA damage • Received AP bomb damage • Received aerial torpedo damage • AA salvo shell explosions | +30% • −30% • −30% • +3 | |
| Mines | Confidential | Mine damage | +30% |
| Secret | Mine damage • Mine activation range | +30% • +20% | |
| Top Secret | Mine damage • Mine activation range • Number of mines per minelaying | +30% • +20% • +1 | |
| Shore Batteries | Confidential | Received AP shell damage from shore batteries | −30% |
| Secret | Received AP shell damage from shore batteries • Received HE shell damage from shore batteries | −30% • −30% | |
| Top Secret | Received AP shell damage from shore batteries • Received HE shell damage from shore batteries • Risk of flooding from shore batteries | −30% • −30% • −90% | |
| Landing Craft | Confidential | Torpedo damage vs. landing craft | +30% |
| Secret | Torpedo damage vs. landing craft • Received ramming damage | +30% • −90% | |
| Top Secret | Torpedo damage vs. landing craft • Received ramming damage • Main battery reload time | +30% • −90% • −20% |
Reward track
The event features a tri-part reward track in port, unlocking one new section as each operation becomes available. Stars are earned by completing primary objectives and bonus missions. Completing each part also unlocks bonus levels granting "More Signals" containers and D-Day containers.
Part 1 — Utah Beach (Update 13.4)
| Reward | Details |
|---|---|
| Commander Robert Jaujard | Historical French commander — Battleships & Cruisers |
| "Invasion Stripes" permanent camouflage | For VII Jervis (DD) |
| Economic signals & bonuses | Various special economic bonuses |
| D-Day containers | Free & Premium — see container contents |
| Bonus levels: "More Signals" | Unlocked upon completing the full Part 1 track |
Part 2 — Atlantic Wall Defense (Update 13.5, weeks 1–2)
| Reward | Details |
|---|---|
| Commander William Tennant | Historical British commander — Cruisers (CA/CL) |
| "Force of Liberation" permanent camouflage | For VIII Baltimore (CA) |
| Economic signals & bonuses | Various special economic bonuses |
| D-Day containers | Free & Premium — see container contents |
| Bonus levels: "More Signals" | Unlocked upon completing the full Part 2 track |
Part 3 — Omaha Beach Assault (Update 13.5, weeks 3–4)
| Reward | Details |
|---|---|
| D-Day containers (higher tier) | Improved drop rates compared to Parts 1 & 2 |
| Economic signals & bonuses | Various special economic bonuses |
| Bonus levels: "More Signals" | Unlocked upon completing the full Part 3 track |
| Track completion | Closes out the full 6-week event arc |
Historical commanders
Both commanders are historical WWII naval officers who served during Operation Overlord. They are obtained through the reward track. Commanders have 6 Skill points, more are earned via normal commander XP after unlock.
Robert Jaujard
| Robert Jaujard | |
|---|---|
| Nation | France |
| Ship classes | Battleships, Cruisers |
| Obtained via | Reward Track Part 1 (Utah Beach) |
| Skill points | Standard historical — grow via commander XP |
Robert Jaujard (1896–1981) was a French naval officer who commanded the 4th Cruiser Division and served as Flank Force Commander during the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944. He commanded the cruiser Georges-Leygues directly during the D-Day assault. Jaujard served in the French Navy from 1914 to 1961 and rose to the rank of Squadron Vice-Admiral (Vice-amiral d'escadre).
William Tennant
| William Tennant | |
|---|---|
| Nation | United Kingdom |
| Ship classes | Cruisers (CA/CL) |
| Obtained via | Reward Track Part 2 (Atlantic Wall Defense) |
| Skill points | Standard historical — grow via commander XP |
William George Tennant (1890–1963) was a Royal Navy Admiral nicknamed "Dunkirk Joe" for his role organizing the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940. He later commanded HMS Repulse and served in Operation Overlord in 1944 as Rear Admiral, British Assault Force. He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) and rose to the rank of Admiral. He later served as Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire.
D-Day containers
D-Day containers are exclusive to this event and may drop premium ships, including brand-new ones. If a player already owns a ship that can be obtained from the container, they receive Free XP as compensation instead.
Free D-Day Container
| Item | Chance |
|---|---|
| 5× Special economic bonuses (Signal Type A) | 21% |
| 5× Special economic bonuses (Signal Type B) | 21% |
| 5× Special economic bonuses (Signal Type C) | 21% |
| 5× Special economic bonuses (Signal Type D) | 21% |
| 5× Special economic bonuses (Signal Type E) | 21% |
| "Revolutionary" permanent camouflage | 3.9% |
| "Union Jack" permanent camouflage | 3.9% |
| 1,900 Free XP | 7.8% |
| One of: VII Belfast '43, VII Stord '43, or VII HMS Nelson | 0.3% |
| One of: VII HMS Rodney, VI Montcalm, or VI HMS Orion '44 | 0.1% |
Note: If you already own HMS Rodney, Montcalm, or HMS Orion '44, you will receive 19,000 Free XP instead.
Premium D-Day Container
| Item | Chance |
|---|---|
| 14× Rare economic bonuses (Signal Type A) | 12% |
| 14× Rare economic bonuses (Signal Type B) | 12% |
| 14× Rare economic bonuses (Signal Type C) | 12% |
| 14× Rare economic bonuses (Signal Type D) | 12% |
| 14× Rare economic bonuses (Signal Type E) | 12% |
| 14× Rare economic bonuses (Signal Type F) | 12% |
| 14× Rare economic bonuses (Signal Type G) | 12% |
| "Revolutionary" permanent camouflage | 20% |
| "Union Jack" permanent camouflage | 20% |
| 19,000 Free XP | 8% |
| One of: VII Belfast '43, VII Stord '43, or VII HMS Nelson | 3% |
| One of: VII HMS Rodney, VI Montcalm, or VI HMS Orion '44 | 1% |
Note: If you already own HMS Rodney, Montcalm, or HMS Orion '44, you will receive 19,000 Free XP instead. All three ships were also available for direct purchase in the Premium Shop.
New port: Normandy
A brand-new Normandy-themed port was added exclusively for the duration of the D-Day event. Players could access it via:
- The D-Day banner in port, or
- Selecting the D-Day battle type from the battle type selector
The port reflects the atmosphere and scenery of the historic Normandy coastline. Selecting it did not affect existing port preferences, players could switch back to their preferred port at any time via the port selection window.
Cosmetics and extras
Patches
Four commemorative patches were added to honor the 80th anniversary:
| Patch | Description |
|---|---|
| Ruse of War | Tribute to the Allied deception operations before D-Day. The top-secret Ghost Army painters, designers, sound engineers, and actors deployed inflatable tanks, phony aircraft, and fake radio traffic to mislead enemy intelligence right through the war's end. |
| Sword of Freedom | Honors the creative minds of the Ghost Army who staged elaborate deceptions using art and theater techniques as weapons of war. |
| Momentous Day | Tribute to French Resistance fighters who cut telephone cables and destroyed railroads to isolate the Normandy region in the critical days before D-Day. |
| Commonwealth Rockfish | Honors HMS Belfast and USS Texas — both vessels fired on D-Day and have since been preserved as museum ships, living memorials to the Normandy landings. |
Flag
| Flag | Description |
|---|---|
| 80 Years Since D-Day | Commemorative national flag dedicated to the Longest Night of Museums event, honoring the ships and crews that participated in the Allied landings at Normandy on June 6, 1944. |
Permanent camouflages
| Camouflage | Ship | How to obtain |
|---|---|---|
| "Invasion Stripes" | VII Jervis (DD) | Reward Track Part 1 |
| "Force of Liberation" | VIII Baltimore (CA) | Reward Track Part 2 |
| "Revolutionary" | Various | D-Day containers |
| "Union Jack" | Various | D-Day containers |
Store bundles — historical D-Day ships
The following ships participated in the historical D-Day landings and were available in special themed store bundles during the event. Each bundle included unique missions with Commander crates as rewards:
| Ship | Tier | Nation | Type | Historical role at Normandy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USS Texas | V | United States | Battleship | Provided naval gunfire support on Omaha Beach |
| HMS Warspite | VI | United Kingdom | Battleship | Bombarded German positions at Sword Beach |
| HMS Belfast | VII | United Kingdom | Cruiser | Fired the opening shots of D-Day at 05:27 on June 6, 1944 |
| ORP Błyskawica | VII | Poland | Destroyer | Served in the escort and fire-support role during the Normandy landings |
| USS Arkansas | IV | United States | Battleship | Provided gunfire support at Omaha Beach |
| HMCS Haida | VII | Commonwealth | Destroyer | Tribal-class with enhanced AA defenses |
External links
Official Wargaming articles
- Update 13.4 — D-Day Anniversary patch notes (NA)
- Update 13.4 — D-Day Anniversary patch notes (EU)
- D-Day 80th Anniversary: Utah Beach Operation (WG news)
- D-Day 80th Anniversary: Utah Beach Operation — EU
- Update 13.5 — New D-Day Operations patch notes (NA)
- Update 13.5 — New D-Day Operations patch notes (EU)
Official Wargaming videos
- Operation 1: Utah Beach Landing — Official Wargaming YouTube video
- Operation 2: Atlantic Wall Defense — Official Wargaming YouTube video
- Operation 3: Omaha Beach Assault — Official Wargaming YouTube video
