This is one of the most studied and relived events of World War II. So much so that the term "D-Day" has become synonymous with Operation Overlord, specifically the invasions of Operation Neptune. What about Operation Torch (North Africa), or Shingle (Italy), or Iceberg (Okinawa)? The date those invasions started are all "D-Days." Now, I'm not belittling the sacrifice of those who scaled the Atlantic Wall and liberated France. No, I am trying to inform the masses in the official use of the term. So consider yourself informed. Will I yell at you if you say "D-Day" and mean Operation Overlord? No, I can safely assume most who say "D-Day" mean Normandy.
Okay, I'm done ranting. Enough of the side-show, let's get to the main event. Based on the numbers and circumstances, it should not have succeeded.
The invasion of France, with the long-term goal to liberate western Europe, was titled Operation Overlord.
This operation had three parts: Operation Pointblank (bombing campaign aimed at halting the Luftwaffe's ability to react), Operation Neptune (the landing of troops on Normandy beaches), and Operation Bodyguard (deceptions and tricks used to convince the Germans the invasion would land elsewhere).
There were a number of operations within each of these operations. Sometimes it seems like the military can't help but make things more complicated. Adding to the complexity is that the targeted area, Normandy, was divided into American and British sectors. And tasks within a sector was given a codename, like Tonga, Boston, and Epsom. The use of the codenames was to keep opposition from discovering the truth.
One of the most impressive, is underreported, portions of the Normandy invasion was Operation Bodyguard. The goal was simple: keep the Nazis in the dark. The execution of this operation was anything but simple, but they pulled it off. Fake military units were created, such as the First US Army Group (FUSAG). Dummy equipment, such as inflatable Sherman tanks, were built. (If you look up "Operation Bodyguard tank" you will find a picture of four men carrying what appears to be a 66,800 pound tank on their shoulders.) Even double agents helped spread the lies. George Patton was even put in charge of the FUSAG, in hopes of attracting attention with his record and attitude. The Allies worked hard to make it appear that Calais was the target of the invasion.
The result of this massive shell-game? The Germans spent a lot of time and effort to fortify the area around Calais, and the Fifteenth Army was delayed by several weeks, allowing the Allies to break out of Normandy.
One for three on the "Long Shot" list.
There was a major factor in the actual landings that the Allies could not control: the weather. The planners wanted to be landing at night with a full moon when the tide was going in. This allowed for the greatest chance to clear obstacles on the beach, and for aircraft and boat pilots to see. Had Eisenhower postponed the landings, the next available time was two weeks later, without a full moon. The weather available June 4-7 was bad, but it would have been worse. On a plus side, the Germans believed that there would be two weeks of bad weather in early June, so many commanders, including Field Marshal Rommel, were not immediately available when the landings happened. Sometimes it pays to play in the rain.
But the Germans had other reasons not to be worried. The Atlantic Wall.
After raids in 1942, Hitler ordered the fortification of the Atlantic coast, from Spain to Norway. Blockhouses, bunkers, pillboxes, trenches, and tank traps were build. Thousands of tons of concrete were poured. Hundreds of miles of barbed wire were strung. Rommel, a brilliant leader the Allies dealt with in North Africa, realized Normandy was a key location for landing. He tripled the mines in the area, had anti-tank and anti-boat obstacles placed at high-tide marks, and created Rommelspargel. These "Rommel's asparagus" were 13+ foot tall wooden poles "planted" in fields. The idea was they would damage gliders. Some were placed on beaches, in hopes of ripping the bottoms off of boats. A number even had mines attached to the tops. By the time Rommel was finished, the Atlantic Wall appeared impenetrable.
The lead-in bombing campaign, Operation Pointblank, began a year earlier. The goal, again, was simple: destroy the Luftwaffe, the German air industry, and any other industry that could be used against the landings. The Combined Bombing Offensive, which Operation Pointblank was a part of, was a massive, if controversial, success. But this isn't about that. Operation Pointblank itself was tasked with destroying fighter bases, to establish air superiority and air supremacy over the beaches, and over Europe in general. They succeeded in both. Air superiority means you have total control of the air over your territory and substantial control over enemy territory. From 1944 onward, few if any Luftwaffe fighters were seen over Allied territory. And the USAF and RAF had near complete control of European airspace during the last two years of the war. Sure, German fighters could still attack and harass bombers, but the Luftwaffe was a faint shadow of its former glory. Air supremacy means you have total control over all airspace, both your's and your enemy's. Nothing flies unless it has your insignia on the wings. At the end of the war the Allies achieved that, but only at the end. Regardless, the air superiority over Europe, especially over Normandy, allowed the landings to occur with less casualties.
Two for three on the "Long Shot" list.
The British got the first shots of D-Day, with Operation Deadstick. Gliders landed near the bridges over the Caen canal and the Orne river. This first operation of the landings was a success.
The amphibious landings started at 0630. From the start, things did not go according to plan.
The first "boots on the ground" were at Utah beach. Only they were not. Gen. Teddy Roosevelt's 4th Inf. Division didn't land at the designated Utah beach, but 2,000 yards west. The son of the famed president and Rough Rider said they would "start the war from right here." The advantage was that there was less resistance at this Utah. By the end of the day there were less than 200 casualties. A stark contrast to the other American beachhead.
Omaha.
It was the heaviest defended beach. It was the target of one of the most experienced Allied unit: the 1st Inf. Division. Bombers were concerned with hitting landing craft, so many of the beach obstacles were not destroyed prior to landings. Currents caused boats to drift east. Many boats hit sandbars 50-100 yards out, forcing the men to wade the remainder of the distance. In full combat gear and packs. Under fire. The call at 0830 was to hold off on further landings, until some destroyers provided cover fire. All told around 2,000 died on Omaha beach.
The British at Gold beach weren't having an easier time either. High winds forced the boats off course. A number of casemates caused trouble until cruisers or tanks were able to knock them out. The British lost around 1,000.
At Juno beach, troops landed before tanks, and didn't have the support to defeat the un-bombarded batteries. The three nearby towns became the sites of fierce fighting, and the airfield remained contested for a month. But, on the day of the landings, less than 1,000 men died.
Because of wind, obstacles and mines, and a fast rising tide, Sword beach became congested quickly. It was at Sword beach Free French forces landed, helping to capture at least one stronghold. Here British troops moved towards Caen, coming within a kilometer of it. German tanks also attempted to counterattack, and nearly reached the English Channel. At the end of the day, around 1,000 died at Sword.
Five landing forces embarked. Five beachheads taken.
Three for three on the "Long Shot" list.
The largest amphibious invasion in human history was a success. Operation Overlord, which ended August 25, 1944, was a success as well. The Allies had the first stepping stone toward the liberation of Europe in place. In a way, the hard part was over. They had breached the Atlantic Wall and proven that "Fortress Europe" had weaknesses that would be exploited.
Next came the long road to Berlin.
On the way would be bitter cold, armored fortifications, massive airborne attacks, and some of the most disciplined, determined, and desperate soldiers in history. The "Battle for Europe" had begun.
The goal: Liberation. No exceptions.
***
To all the veterans of the Normandy Invasion:
Thank you, and God bless.
No comments:
Post a Comment