Source: Eisenhower Archives
D-Day is the most significant invasion in history. It took months to plan an invasion of this magnitude. Leaders knew it would require sacrifice and aimed to minimize casualties.
Background
War had been raging for 5 years. The German war machine marched through Europe. Allies needed to make a move in Europe quickly.
1943
May 13- The North African Campaign ends July 5- The Germans attempt invading the Soviet Union 1944 June 4- Allied troops liberate Rome June 6- British, Canadian, and US troops invade Normandy successfully June 30- Allies win the Battle of Normandy |
Strategy
The critical strategy of the invasion would be the deciding factor of the amount of casualties. Eisenhower’s plan was to give the troops the most advantageous conditions to win. Leaders involved high risk to invading Europe with a full assault and it would require casualties. The soldiers knew that some of them would have to sacrifice themselves going into the invasion, but continued onward.
We are convinced that in all discussions full weight must be given to the fact that this operation marks the crisis of the European war. Every obstacle must be overcome, every inconvenience suffered, and every risk run to ensure that our blow is decisive. We cannot afford to fail." - General Dwight Eisenhower, Operation Overlord Part 1 |
The primary strategy used was manipulation. Allied Forces knew that Hitler’s Directive 40 shored up defenses in Western Europe so they would have to find a way to divert resources and troops to different areas. Allied High Command devised a unique plan that would divert German forces to Northern France, waiting for ghost armies. Stationed in Southeast England, were several plywood and rubber tanks, planes, and boats. Spies in Germany gave false information to convince them armies were coming from the North. Hitler sent more troops to wait for the fake armies to arrive, however there was still the Atlantic Wall waiting for invaders.
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In the final analysis, the Germans were completely outmaneuvered in the intelligence department during the Second World War. Through sloppy work on their part and the amazingly well manufactured deception story put forth by the Allies, the Germans were essentially blind while trying to defend the Normandy beaches. |