1. Opening the Second Front
D-Day
Opening the Second Front

2. OVERVIEW In this lesson you will examine:
Pressures for the second front
Challenges for amphibious invasion
Reasons for success
Consequences for the Axis powers

3. Pressures for invasion
By the end of 1943, factors pushed the US and Britain towards a direct invasion of France:
Stalin wanted the Allies to relieve pressure
Allied bombing campaigns were ineffective
The invasion of Italy had been indecisive
American and British leaders were concerned about Soviet domination of Europe

4. Challenges A direct invasion of France presented many challenges:
Unpredictable weather of the English Channel
High cliffs and soft narrow beaches
Heavy fortifications – “The Atlantic Wall”

5. Even after the battle began, Hitler hesitated to send reinforcements
With great secrecy, the Allies built up forces and attacked the weaker Normandy beaches
The Germans believed Calais would be attacked and the Allies pretended it would be

6. Massive air and naval bombardment of coastal defences
Sea-based bombardment
Ground attack aircraft

7. Paratroopers secured access points to the beaches

8. Artificial harbours and floating pipelines provided supplies
“Mulberry” artificial harbours
PLUTO pipeline

9. Poor German leadership and communication
Marshalls Rommel and Von Rundsteadt
German soldiers surrendering at Normandy

10. Consequences
By July 1944, 600,000 Allied soldiers had landed over into France
Field Marshall Rommel urged Hitler to negotiate an end to the war
By August 1944, Paris was recaptured
By December 1944, most German forces had retreated to German borders

11. SUMMARY QUESTIONS
What pressures did the US and Britain face to open a second front in Europe?
What technical challenges faced an amphibious invasion of France?
What were the major reasons for D-Day’s success?
Why did Rommel press Hitler to seek peace after the D-Day invasion?