D-Day

The Normandy landing were both heroic and tragic, even when compared to the other momentous events in WWII. Total Allied casualties were 10,000; total Axis casualties numbered between 4,000 and 9,000. The operation was the largest amphibious invasion ever conducted in a single day. Over 130,000 troops landed on 6 June 1944. More than 195 thousand navy personnel were involved.

Dwight D. Eisenhower was the supreme commander on the Allied side; Adolf Hitler, of course, was supreme commander of the Axis side (although only Germany was involved in the fight). Eisenhower was helped by nearly legendary British commander Montgomery, as well as Montgomery's less legendary fellow Brits Leigh-Mallory, Tedder, Dempsey and Ramsay. Eisenhower had one fellow American General, whose name was Omar Bradley. Besides Hitler, Rundstedt, Dollmann, and the infamous Rommell commanded the German Forces.

The days that could have been used for the invasion were few, considering the criteria they had to meet. A full moon was needed in order to see landmarks and so aircraft pilots could land, and spring tide was needed in insure that there would be a maximum depth of water so that some of the obstacles that the Germans had placed in the water would be rendered useless. The weather for the days before D-Day had been unsuitable, and the invasion was nearly postponed for a month (In fact, D-Day had been planned to occur during May of 1943, but difficulties in assembling landing craft had pushed it back a month to June 5th). However,Eisenhower's leading meteorologist said that on the 6th the weather could be expected to improve slightly. The Allies acted on his advice, and it was very fortunate they did so. Due to the inclement weather, many important German Generals believed that no invasion would be possible and therefore left their posts. Indeed, General Rommel himself was taking a few days leave to be with his family and friends when the invasion began.




Of course, D-Day was not won simply because of luck. Luck is, they say, when preparation meets opportunity, and the Allies had prepared extensively. Operation Fortitude was an extremely successful espionage attempt, which convinced the Germans Pas de Calais would be the target rather than Normandy. This was the first successful attack over the English channel since the Norman conquest, and the Germans were much better equipped to use their advantageous position. All in all, its a miracle and a testament to Ally determination that D-Day was anywhere near as successful as it was.