How The Allies Planned Operation Overlord

By the end of June 6, 1944, D-Day, thousands of Allied troops had landed in Normandy, France. They were supported by tanks, artillery, and thousands of tons of supplies. How did the Allies pull off one of the largest military operations in history?

In this podcast, we explore how the Allies came together to plan Operation Overlord. The Transportation Plan, in which the bombers of the US Eighth Air Force and British Bomber Command attacked railways and bridges across France, limiting the Germans’ ability to reinforce Normandy once the landings had begun. Despite disagreement on the best course of action, the plan led to one of the most successful bombings campaigns in history. Also, the French resistance provided crucial support for the landings with the gathering of intelligence and the sabotaging of German defences and logistics. Finally we explore why the Allies chose June 6, 1944 as the date to launch Operation Overlord and the role the volatile weather of the English Channel played in this decision. 

Careful planning, bravery, difficult choices, and just a bit of luck made the Normandy landings a success. With the Allied return to France, the beginning of the end of Nazi Germany was insight.

Thanks to:

John Curatola, Senior Historian at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana and author of Armies Afloat: How the Development of Amphibious Operations in Europe Helped Win World War II.

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