Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord, also known as D-Day, was the code-name given to the Allied invasion of France scheduled for June 1944. The overall commander of Operation Overlord was General Dwight Eisenhower. Overlord itself required the involvement of many men – both in Britain and in France. Security for the plan had to be total. The first issue that the Allies had to decide on was where to land in France. The Pays de Calais was an obvious choice as it was the nearest part of France to Britain. Getting to France would be easier but the whole area was known to be well defended.
The Allied high command decided on a landing in Normandy. The risks were much higher but the beaches were suitable for a mass landing of people and equipment. 6,000 ships were needed for
D-Day and for future cross-Channel trips carrying troops and equipment. In the first three days of the attack, Overlord planned to move over 100,000 men and nearly 13,000 vehicles. Overlord had built into it the movement of a total of 3 million men in 47 divisions, moved by 6000 ships with aerial cover provided by 5000 fighter planes.The operation was a success.
The planning of Overlord were unrivaled in history. This plan was thought of by the "Big Three" at the Tehran Conference. Operation Overlord was scheduled to begin in May 1944. The attacks would combine the force of the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and a lot of other countries. The “Big Three” spent days arguing about when Operation Overlord should take place, who should command it, and where operations should begin.
The Allied high command decided on a landing in Normandy. The risks were much higher but the beaches were suitable for a mass landing of people and equipment. 6,000 ships were needed for
D-Day and for future cross-Channel trips carrying troops and equipment. In the first three days of the attack, Overlord planned to move over 100,000 men and nearly 13,000 vehicles. Overlord had built into it the movement of a total of 3 million men in 47 divisions, moved by 6000 ships with aerial cover provided by 5000 fighter planes.The operation was a success.
The planning of Overlord were unrivaled in history. This plan was thought of by the "Big Three" at the Tehran Conference. Operation Overlord was scheduled to begin in May 1944. The attacks would combine the force of the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and a lot of other countries. The “Big Three” spent days arguing about when Operation Overlord should take place, who should command it, and where operations should begin.
Video: D-Day, June 6, 1944, by History Channel.