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