Operation Overlord Background:

Transcription

1 Operation Overlord Background: At the height of German power during World War II the Third Reich extended it s reach over all of France, having expelled the French leadership and much of it s military across the English Channel to seek refuge from their allies in Britain. The Allied Powers knew that in order for them to successfully push back against Germany they would need to establish a foothold in Europe, which they could then expand to eventually push Germany back behind their own borders and eventually be invaded. There were many plans discussed on how and where this foothold would be established, including Italy, which had a weaker military and eventually would switch sides in the war, joining the Allied Powers, as well as Southern France, where the German military had a much lighter presence. Both of these, however had the distinct geographical disadvantage of being relatively far away from the base of power of the Allies, England. Even when they decided to conduct their operation in the North of France there was a lot of discussion about on which specific beaches the invasion should take place. Eventually, the establishment of the foothold, called Operation Overlord, would, according to plan, take place on D-Day (more formally known as Operation Neptune) at 6 different beaches. While the fighting would be hard and the Allied casualties would be well over 200,000 soldiers the foothold was successfully established at turned the tide of the war against the Germans eventually leading to the end of World War II in Europe. This document was prepared in the summer of 1943 by Fredrick Morgan, who was the chief of staff to the Supreme Allied Commander (a position which was empty at the time but would later be filled by General Dwight D. Eisenhower) and is the first complete outline of the plan that would become Operation Overlord. This plan involved a combined amphibious and airborne invasion at three beaches, which would lead to controlling the town of Cherbourg as the base of the Allied foothold. Operation Overlord would be modified over time, expanding it to 6 beaches, modifying the locations, etc. but this outline laid the groundwork for the battle that would eventually change the momentum of World War II, identifying not just a plan, but why the plan would work, and what priorities should be set. It even detailed possible failures and weaknesses that could become problems for the plan. While the details changed, the larger plan and this broad analysis held true and guided the invasion at Normandy through the entire operation.

2 Digest of Operation Overlord, July 1943 <excerpts> ( accessed from ) Object. 1. The object of Operation Overlord is to mount and carry out an operation, with forces and equipment established in the United Kingdom, and with target date the 1st May, 1944, to secure a lodgement [foothold] on the Continent [Europe] from which further offensive operations can be developed. The lodgement area must contain sufficient port facilities to maintain a force of some twenty-six to thirty divisions, and enable that force to be augmented by follow-up shipments from the United States or elsewhere of additional divisions and supporting units at the rate of three to five divisions per month. Proposed Plan. Preliminary Phase. 21. During the preliminary phase, which must start forthwith, all possible means including air and sea action, propaganda, political and economic pressure, and sabotage, must be integrated into a combined offensive aimed at softening the German resistance. In particular, air action should be directed towards the reduction of the German air forces on the Western front, the progressive destruction of the German economic system and the undermining of German morale. 22. In order to contain the maximum German forces away from the Caen area diversionary operations should be staged against other areas such as the Pas de Calais and the Mediterranean Coast of France. Preparatory Phase. 23. During this phase air action will be intensified against the G.A.F. [German Air Force], particularly in North-West France, with a view to reducing the effectiveness of the G.A.F. in that area, and will be extended to include attacks against communications more directly associated with movement of German reserves which might affect the Caen area. Three naval assault forces will be assembled with the naval escorts and loaded at ports along the South Coast of England. Two naval assault forces carrying the follow-up forces will also be assembled and loaded, one in the Thames Estuary and one on the West Coast.

3 The Assault. 24. After a very short air bombardment of the beach defenses three assault divisions will be landed simultaneously on the Caen beaches, followed up on D Day by the equivalent of two tank brigades (United States regiments) and a brigade group (United States regimental combat team). At the same time, airborne forces will be used to seize the town of Caen; and subsidiary operations by commandos and possibly by airborne forces will be undertaken to neutralize certain coast defenses and seize certain important river crossings. The object of the assault forces will be to seize the general line Grandcamp-Bayeux-Caen. Follow-up and Build-up Phase. 25. Subsequent action will take the form of a strong thrust Southwards and South-Westwards with a view to destroying enemy forces, acquiring sites for airfields, and gaining depth for a turning movement into the Cotentin Peninsula directed on Cherbourg. When sufficient depth has been gained a force will advance into the Cotentin and seize Cherbourg. At the same time a thrust will be made to deepen the bridgehead South-Eastwards in order to cover the construction and operation of additional airfields in the area South-East of Caen. 26. It is considered that, within fourteen days of the initial assault, Cherbourg should be captured and the bridgehead extended to include the general line Trouville-Alencon-Mont St. Michel. By this date, moreover, it should have been possible to land some eighteen divisions and to have in operation about fourteen airfields from which twenty-eight to thirty-three fighter-type squadrons should be operating. Offices of the War Cabinet, S.W.1, 30th July, What was the purpose of Operation Overlord? What famous World War II battle is this outline is planning for? There were 37 parts to the original document, what do you think was cut out of this version?

4 Digest of Operation Overlord, July 1943 <excerpts> ( accessed from ) Object. 1. The object of Operation Overlord is to mount and carry out an operation, with forces and equipment established in the United Kingdom, and with target date the 1st May, 1944, to secure a lodgement [foothold] on the Continent [Europe] from which further offensive operations can be developed. The lodgement area must contain sufficient port facilities to maintain a force of some twenty-six to thirty divisions, and enable that force to be augmented by follow-up shipments from the United States or elsewhere of additional divisions and supporting units at the rate of three to five divisions per month. Proposed Plan. Preliminary Phase. 21. During the preliminary phase, which must start forthwith [soon], all possible means including air and sea action, propaganda, political and economic pressure, and sabotage, must be integrated into a combined offensive aimed at softening the German resistance. In particular, air action should be directed towards the reduction of the German air forces on the Western front, the progressive destruction of the German economic system and the undermining of German morale. 22. In order to contain the maximum German forces away from the Caen area diversionary operations should be staged against other areas such as the Pas de Calais and the Mediterranean Coast of France. Preparatory Phase. 23. During this phase air action will be intensified against the G.A.F. [German Air Force], particularly in North-West France, with a view to reducing the effectiveness of the G.A.F. in that area, and will be extended to include attacks against communications more directly associated with movement of German reserves which might affect the Caen area. Three naval assault forces will be assembled with the naval escorts and loaded at ports along the South Coast of England. Two naval assault forces carrying the follow-up forces will also be assembled and loaded, one in the Thames Estuary and one on the West Coast.

5 The Assault. 24. After a very short air bombardment of the beach defenses three assault divisions will be landed simultaneously on the Caen beaches, followed up on D Day by the equivalent of two tank brigades (United States regiments) and a brigade group (United States regimental combat team). At the same time, airborne forces will be used to seize the town of Caen; and subsidiary operations by commandos and possibly by airborne forces will be undertaken to neutralize certain coast defenses and seize certain important river crossings. The object of the assault forces will be to seize the general line Grandcamp-Bayeux-Caen. Follow-up and Build-up Phase. 25. Subsequent action will take the form of a strong thrust Southwards and South-Westwards with a view to destroying enemy forces, acquiring sites for airfields, and gaining depth for a turning movement into the Cotentin Peninsula directed on Cherbourg. When sufficient depth has been gained a force will advance into the Cotentin and seize Cherbourg. At the same time a thrust will be made to deepen the bridgehead South-Eastwards in order to cover the construction and operation of additional airfields in the area South-East of Caen. 26. It is considered that, within fourteen days of the initial assault, Cherbourg should be captured and the bridgehead extended to include the general line Trouville-Alencon-Mont St. Michel. By this date, moreover, it should have been possible to land some eighteen divisions and to have in operation about fourteen airfields from which twenty-eight to thirty-three fighter-type squadrons should be operating. Offices of the War Cabinet, S.W.1, 30th July, What was the purpose of Operation Overlord? What famous World War II battle is this outline is planning for? There were 37 parts to the original document, what do you think was cut out of this version?

6 Digest of Operation Overlord, July 1943 <excerpts> ( accessed from ) Object. 1. The object of Operation Overlord is to mount and carry out an operation, with forces and equipment established in the United Kingdom, and with target date the 1st May, 1944, to secure a lodgement [foothold] on the Continent [Europe] from which further offensive operations can be developed. The lodgement area must contain sufficient port facilities to maintain a force of some twenty-six to thirty divisions, and enable that force to be augmented by follow-up shipments from the United States or elsewhere of additional divisions and supporting units at the rate of three to five divisions per month. Proposed Plan. Preliminary Phase. 21. During the preliminary phase, which must start forthwith [soon], all possible means including air and sea action, propaganda, political and economic pressure, and sabotage, must be integrated into a combined offensive aimed at softening the German resistance. In particular, air action should be directed towards the reduction of the German air forces on the Western front, the progressive destruction of the German economic system and the undermining of German morale. 22. In order to contain the maximum German forces away from the Caen area diversionary operations should be staged against other areas such as the Pas de Calais and the Mediterranean Coast of France. Preparatory Phase. 23. During this phase air action will be intensified against the G.A.F. [German Air Force], particularly in North-West France, with a view to reducing the effectiveness of the G.A.F. in that area, and will be extended to include attacks against communications more directly associated with movement of German reserves which might affect the Caen area. Three naval assault forces will be assembled with the naval escorts and loaded at ports along the South Coast of England. Two naval

7 assault forces carrying the follow-up forces will also be assembled and loaded, one in the Thames Estuary and one on the West Coast. The Assault. 24. After a very short air bombardment of the beach defenses three assault divisions will be landed simultaneously on the Caen beaches, followed up on D Day by the equivalent of two tank brigades (United States regiments) and a brigade group (United States regimental combat team). At the same time, airborne forces will be used to seize the town of Caen ; and subsidiary operations by commandos and possibly by airborne forces will be undertaken to neutralize certain coast defenses and seize certain important river crossings. The object of the assault forces will be to seize the general line Grandcamp-Bayeux-Caen. Follow-up and Build-up Phase. 25. Subsequent action will take the form of a strong thrust Southwards and South-Westwards with a view to destroying enemy forces, acquiring sites for airfields, and gaining depth for a turning movement into the Cotentin Peninsula directed on Cherbourg. When sufficient depth has been gained a force will advance into the Cotentin and seize Cherbourg. At the same time a thrust will be made to deepen the bridgehead South-Eastwards in order to cover the construction and operation of additional airfields in the area South-East of Caen. 26. It is considered that, within fourteen days of the initial assault, Cherbourg should be captured and the bridgehead extended to include the general line Trouville-Alencon-Mont St. Michel. By this date, moreover, it should have been possible to land some eighteen divisions and to have in operation about fourteen airfields from which twenty-eight to thirty-three fighter-type squadrons should be operating. Offices of the War Cabinet, S.W.1, 30th July, What was the purpose of Operation Overlord? What famous World War II battle is this outline is planning for? There were 37 parts to the original document, what do you think was cut out of this version?