OPERATION OVERLORD D-DAY

The Invasion of France D-Day, 6 June, 1944

Should D-Day be considered a turning

point in the war? If not then what is it?

Allied Strategies 1943-44 Obviously to win the war Germany would need to be defeated in

Germany the question was simply when and how. Intense allied bombing campaigns had already been raging over

Germany since 1942 to essentially ‘soften them up’ and with the addition of America the allies now had enough manpower to challenge Hitler directly.

Stalin had also been consistently accusing the Roosevelt and Churchill of procrastination in opening up a second front to relieve some of the pressure of his Russian forces which had been fighting since 1941.

To put D-day into context however remember that by 1944, the axis powers had been defeated in North Africa and Russia and Mussolini’s regime had been defeated in Italy.

Germany was also rapidly losing much of it’s capacity to produce and maintain arms with the constant bombing of it’s industries and the loss of strategic resources in the middle east and the caucus

Significance… At the Teheran Conference 1943, the ‘Big Three’ Stalin

(Russia), Roosevelt (United States) and Churchill (Britain), debated the future of WWII. The atmosphere of the conference was confrontational and often hostile as each leader presented his list of priorities.

Finally two strategies were agreed upon: First, an allied attack force would invade France Second, Russian forces would launch offensives to liberate

Finland and Poland. The long-term allied goal was to destroy Germany’s military

resources, to liberate its occupied territories and occupy Berlin.

Left to right:Churchill, Roosevelt, Stalin

Overview

‘Mulberry harbours’ were formed off Omaha and Gold beaches by sinking huge concrete chambers to form artificial quays. Prefabricated in Britain and towed across the Channel, these were sunk within 30 minutes by opening valves to let in the sea. From these quays, floating pontoon bridges , roads and railways led towards the shore. Flexible pipelines were also laid beneath the Channel which would eventually give allied forces 1.5 million litres of oil a day.

The Landings…

Just In Case…

“Our landings have failed and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone.”

Eisenhower prepared a draft speech for if the landings failed and he had to explain himself to the boss…

Stick saving private ryan clip here