Operation Overlord

Operation Overlord

On June 6, 1944 the largest amphibious assault in history took place. On the morning of the Invasion of Normandy, beaches in the area of Cotentin, France, were bombarded with over 5,000 tons of bombs, destroying German defenses and de-mining many areas. Following the bombardment over 100,000 soldiers swam ashore, and 11,700 paratroopers were dropped to secure Normandy Beach. After two months of battle, Allied troops marched into Normandy on August 24th, 1944. The Invasion of Normandy not only was the turning point of the World War II, but also directly led to the liberation of Western Europe from the Nazi regime.

Deception of the Germans was an important factor in the preparations for D-Day. Although the actual attack was to take place near Cotentin, German forces were misled into believing that the attack was to take place at Pas de Calais. First, the allies created a mythical 1st Army Group, which would be based in Dover, just across the channel from Pas de Calais. Many inflatable tanks and vehicles were placed in Dover, and a harbor containing an armada of inflatable rafts was constructed in the area. In command of the phantom 1st Army group was Patton, the Allied General for whom the Germans held the highest regard. Known enemy spies were informed of the supposed state of Patton’s forces. Naval maneuvers were performed off the area’s coast by the allies, and radio trafficking was manipulated so that German intelligence would suspect a major military force was organizing. Before the invasion, more bombs were dropped on Pas de Calais than anywhere else off the coast of France. By the time the invasion took place, the German’s were so convinced that the invasion would take place at Pas de Calais that even after a few hours of the Normandy invasion they still believed the main invasion would be there. Because of these efforts, 19 enemy divisions did nothing on the day of the attack.

The efforts of the French Resistance also helped make D-Day successful. They cut railroad tracks, sabotaged train engines, targeted supply trains, cut phone lines, assassinated German officers, and bombed roads, bridges, and rail junctions. This work practically destroyed the French transportation system, removing the Germans ability to send reinforcements for the attack.

The night before D-Day, three airborne units, the 101st and 82nd American Airborne Divisions and the 6th British Airborne Division were meant to be deployed to areas south of the beach. Their mission was to clear the way for the troops by eliminating various obstacles. However, due to the weather the mission was not fully successful. The 82nd, to be dropped near the town of Sainte-MÐ"Ёre-Eglise, were scattered throughout the countryside. The 101st’s mission was to drop south of Utah Beach to secure roads and bridges at Carentan. Unfortunately, many of the paratroopers were dropped into the water and drowned. However, the troops were able to regroup to complete most of their objectives, thanks to the efforts of the French Resistance. Because the Resistance had cut phone lines, the German chain of command was disrupted, and they could not get a firm hold on the battle.

At 7:00 am, the time appointed as H-Hour, the amphibious invasion began. The bombardment was to end and the invasions begin at the same time. The bombers finished on time, but the landing equipment ran late, giving the Germans a little bit of time to prepare for the invasion.

Juno beach was invaded by the Canadian 3rd Infantry and their success there is a matter of great Canadian national pride. Two years earlier, a force of American Rangers, British Commandos, and Canadian Infantry attempted to raid the heavily fortified port of Dieppe. Dieppe was a complete disaster and three-quarters of the Canadians died. The Allies claimed that it was an experiment to be learned from, but the Canadians wanted revenge, feeling that the only thing learned was never to assault a heavily defended port head-on without air or naval support, even if you outnumber the attacker, and they got it at Juno.

At Juno Beach, offshore reefs caused many problems. These reefs were covered with mine-tipped obstacles. The mines blew up many landing craft before they ever reached the shore. Early bombardment did not fully eliminate German resistance at Juno Beach, as many Germans were ready to pour bullets and artillery onto the allied soldiers. As more and more tanks and vehicles landed on shore, they had to weave in and out of destroyed landing craft. With determination and hard-fighting the Canadian infantry took street after street and town after town. Later in the day, the Canadian