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Operation OverlordOperation Overlord

Eisenhower and the Planning of D-Day

Early Stages of PlanningEarly Stages of Planning

• Mediterranean Strategy

• Tehran Conference– First meeting of the Big Three– Commitment made to launching cross-

channel invasion in 1944

• Codename: Operation Overlord

Allied Military LeadersAllied Military Leaders

• Roosevelt chooses Eisenhower over Marshall.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

George C. Marshall

Bernard Montgomery

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When and Where?When and Where?

•• Pas de CalaisPas de Calais–– Shortest distance from England to FranceShortest distance from England to France

–– Only about 20 milesOnly about 20 miles

–– Hitler anticipated attack hereHitler anticipated attack here

•• NormandyNormandy–– Very Important Because of Two PortsVery Important Because of Two Ports

•• Cherbourg and Le HavreCherbourg and Le Havre

The PlanThe Plan

•• Six Divisions would be used in the seaborne Six Divisions would be used in the seaborne assaultassault–– Three American (Led by Omar Bradley)Three American (Led by Omar Bradley)

•• GoalGoal��CherbourgCherbourg

–– Two British, One CanadianTwo British, One Canadian•• GoalGoal�� CaenCaen

•• Two American Airborne Divisions would Two American Airborne Divisions would paratroop into Normandy before the invasionparatroop into Normandy before the invasion–– 8282ndnd and 101and 101stst AirborneAirborne

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HitlerHitler ’’s Plannings Planning

•• Issues FuhrerIssues Fuhrer’’s Directive Number 51s Directive Number 51

•• His Goal:His Goal:–– Protect the Ruhr River ValleyProtect the Ruhr River Valley

–– Protect GermanyProtect Germany’’s Industrial Heartlands Industrial Heartland

•• Hitler saw this as a decisive battle politically.Hitler saw this as a decisive battle politically.–– If he could hold off the Allies, the Russians may seek If he could hold off the Allies, the Russians may seek

a peace agreement.a peace agreement.

German PlanningGerman Planning

•• Disagreement becomes an issue for the Disagreement becomes an issue for the Germans.Germans.

•• Rommel vs. Rundstedt vs. HitlerRommel vs. Rundstedt vs. Hitler–– Pas de Calais or Normandy?Pas de Calais or Normandy?–– RommelRommel�� ““Halt them at the beach.Halt them at the beach.””

•• It will be It will be ““the longest day.the longest day.””–– Rundstedt Rundstedt �� ““Use a mobile defensive, then Use a mobile defensive, then

counterattack.counterattack.””–– Panzer divisions can only be controlled by Hitler.Panzer divisions can only be controlled by Hitler.

•• Lack of an organized command structure hurts Lack of an organized command structure hurts Germans.Germans.

Operation FortitudeOperation Fortitude

• The Americans deceive the Germans into thinking the invasion is coming at the Pas de Calais.

• The British do the same in the North near Norway

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The English ChannelThe English Channel

•• Weather is a major Weather is a major factor on the factor on the Channel.Channel.

•• Allied NeedAllied Need–– Clear skiesClear skies

–– Calm SeasCalm Seas

–– Air superiorityAir superiority

–– Low tide and first light Low tide and first light combinedcombined

The Invasion ForceThe Invasion Force

•• Eisenhower sets an invasion date of June 5, Eisenhower sets an invasion date of June 5, 1944.1944.

•• Extraordinary FleetExtraordinary Fleet–– 5,333 vessels to transport everything across the 5,333 vessels to transport everything across the

channelchannel

–– 2,727 Ships2,727 Ships•• Battleships, destroyers, minesweepers, Battleships, destroyers, minesweepers, LSTsLSTs (Landing Ship (Landing Ship

Tanks)Tanks)

–– Higgins Boat becomes very importantHiggins Boat becomes very important

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Weather Stalls the InvasionWeather Stalls the Invasion

•• A storm sets in on June 4.A storm sets in on June 4.

•• Eisenhower is left with a decision.Eisenhower is left with a decision.

•• MeterologistMeterologist J.M. Stagg told Eisenhower that he J.M. Stagg told Eisenhower that he had a 36had a 36--48 hour window to launch invasion.48 hour window to launch invasion.

•• Eisenhower takes his biggest gamble of the war.Eisenhower takes his biggest gamble of the war.–– He prepares two messages He prepares two messages �� One to bolster morale One to bolster morale

for his troops, and one in case of failure.for his troops, and one in case of failure.