d-day june 6, 1944. operation overlord why normandy? within fighter range aircraft, which would...
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D-DayD-Day
June 6, 1944June 6, 1944
Operation OverlordOperation Overlord
Why Normandy? within fighter Why Normandy? within fighter range aircraft, which would provide range aircraft, which would provide overhead cover for the troops, and overhead cover for the troops, and major portsmajor ports
Not so much about an invasion as it Not so much about an invasion as it was about grabbing a foothold to was about grabbing a foothold to pour in suppliespour in supplies
For it to WorkFor it to Work
1.1. Shut down German counterattack Shut down German counterattack after initial landingsafter initial landings
2.2. Coordinate landing with weather, Coordinate landing with weather, tide, and moon – happens only 3 tide, and moon – happens only 3 day each monthday each month
3.3. Trick Germans into believing attack Trick Germans into believing attack was coming at pas de Calaiswas coming at pas de Calais
ResultResult
Bombers to hit roads German Bombers to hit roads German counter-attack would usecounter-attack would use
Only the days of June 5, 6, 7 would Only the days of June 5, 6, 7 would workwork
Patton was used as a commander to Patton was used as a commander to lead a fake army to invade the Pas lead a fake army to invade the Pas de Calaisde Calais
The PlanThe Plan
Landing craft would land five Landing craft would land five divisions at five Normandy beachsdivisions at five Normandy beachs
Each day after a division would land Each day after a division would land with supplieswith supplies
Three paratrooper divisions would Three paratrooper divisions would land the night before on the flanksland the night before on the flanks
Naval and Arial gunfire would Naval and Arial gunfire would precede the landingsprecede the landings
The DefenseThe Defense Rommel would construct the Atlantic WallRommel would construct the Atlantic Wall Poorly trained units would protect the Poorly trained units would protect the
beachesbeaches Better trained units would sit in the rear Better trained units would sit in the rear
for a counter-attackfor a counter-attack Problem: Hitler had personal control over Problem: Hitler had personal control over
the divisionsthe divisions Use concrete emplacements, walss, Use concrete emplacements, walss,
trenches, barbed wire, minefields (2.5 trenches, barbed wire, minefields (2.5 million), and water obstaclesmillion), and water obstacles
The AssaultThe AssaultParatroopers-Towed glidersAnd airborne
Higgins BoatsHiggins Boats
Floating Sherman’sFloating Sherman’sDD tanksDD tanks
Designed to withstand 1 foot waves – Omaha – 6 feet – over 90% lost
Bangalore and BARBangalore and BAR
LST – Landing Ship TankLST – Landing Ship Tank
Crossing the ChannelCrossing the Channel
Sword Beach -BritishSword Beach -British
British Commandos clear most British Commandos clear most obstacles before landing forceobstacles before landing force
Not much action on the beach and Not much action on the beach and British quickly link up with British quickly link up with paratroopersparatroopers
Objective is Caen but the British are Objective is Caen but the British are quickly slowed by a German counter-quickly slowed by a German counter-attackattack
Gold Beach - BritishGold Beach - British
British landings meet with luckBritish landings meet with luck Paratroopers landing in the early Paratroopers landing in the early
morning drew divisions from sector morning drew divisions from sector to outer positions leaving the beach to outer positions leaving the beach lightly defendedlightly defended
In later days Germans rush In later days Germans rush reinforcements to stop the advancereinforcements to stop the advance
Juno Beach - CanadiansJuno Beach - Canadians
Canadians were hampered by beach Canadians were hampered by beach obstacles and minesobstacles and mines
Fought forward in small groupsFought forward in small groups 1,000 men were lost in landings1,000 men were lost in landings Broke through and made deep Broke through and made deep
penetration but were quickly penetration but were quickly stopped by the 12 Panzer divisionstopped by the 12 Panzer division
Utah Beach - AmericansUtah Beach - Americans
First wave landed on the wrong part First wave landed on the wrong part of the beachof the beach
Suffered around 150 casualtiesSuffered around 150 casualties Air bombardment proved highly Air bombardment proved highly
effectiveeffective “ “ We’ll start the war from here”We’ll start the war from here” Late morning link up with Late morning link up with
paratroopers for 3 mile wide frontparatroopers for 3 mile wide front
Bloody Omaha - Bloody Omaha - AmericansAmericans
German defenders were veteransGerman defenders were veterans Defenses were elaborate and solidly Defenses were elaborate and solidly
builtbuilt Left – 29Left – 29thth Division Division Right – 1Right – 1stst Division Division High cliffs proved a major obstacleHigh cliffs proved a major obstacle Tanks did not make it to the beach – Tanks did not make it to the beach –
8 out of 1128 out of 112 3,000 casualties 3,000 casualties