Operation Overlord D-Day June 6, 1944
Teheran Conference FDR, Churchill, and Stalin Discussed cross-channel invasion Operation Overlord Set to happen in 1944, (why so long?)
FDR appointed Eisenhower Supreme Allied Commander Stalin and Churchill surprised by pick General Marshall, to valuable Why did FDR get to do this?
IKE Kansas Possessed ability to get along with both American and British Generals Patton and Montgomery
Normandy Two important ports Cherbourg to west Le Havre to East Cotentin Peninsula (Cherbourg) Protect beaches from westerly winds Allies received info. that Germans thought that allies would land at Calais 20 miles from England
Germans had stronger defenses at Calais Normandy better suited to handle larger allied force
Invasion Force 2 American airborne divisions would land west of American beachhead 1 British airborne division would land to east of British/Canadian beaches Six divisions, formed initial landing force 3 American 2 British 1 Canadian
June 6, D-Day Ike decides to go on June 6, originally planned on June 5 th postponed because of weather Paratroopers go, land in swamps, Germans flooded many fields Constant bombardment starts early a.m. hours Landings happen
Landings 160,000 troops land by the end of D-day Solid foothold of beaches, by 10 days after D-Day, 500,000 ashore July 1, 1 million troops on beaches