[sheepherder]

You're getting WWI Zeppelins mixed up with D-Day [WWII]. The allied 'barrage balloons' offshore at Normandy were launched by the ships for naval gunfire observation & spotting. No artillery (except for really small guns) could be landed until the beachheads had been established. Afterward, a floating port was floated over - a pre-built port, towed over to Normandy from England. Gigantic thing made of steel & concrete.

All the cable channels have been showing period film and surviving veterans commentary since the week before Memorial Day. Some never before seen footage. Pretty interesting stuff.