Code named OVERLORD, the invsaion would take place in Normandy, in North West France. The area chosen lay between LE HAVRE at the mouth of the R. SEINE, in the East, through the bay of the SEINNE to the COTENTIN PENINSULAR in the West.
The operation was to be conducted by two Armies, the First United States Army right, the Second British Army left, under the command of the Twenty First Army Group. The invasion would be a combined operation with naval and air components.
The intentions were four fold:· To carry out airborne landings during the night D minus 1/D day in order to protect the flanks of the area where the assault divisions would land.
· On D day to assault on a five division front with three British divisions and two American divisions between VAREVILLE 4299 and OUISTREHAM 1179 in the bay of the SIENNE.
· To Land the two follow up divisions, one British and one American on D day and on D plus 1.
· Thereafter to build our forces at the rate of one and a third divisions a day.
The plan was to land British and American forces on five beaches between the mouth of the R.ORNE at OUISTREHAM and the COTENTIN PENINSULAR. Prior to the sea landings, the flanks would be secured by airborne forces. Allied bombers would bombard key targets in depth prior to D-Day, and target beach defences prior to the sea landings. The assault on the beaches would be covered by naval gun fire. The French Resistance and the Special Operations Executive (SOE) were tasked with attacking logistical targets.
The timing of D-Day was crucial. Only a few days a month were available to meet the operational requirements. Full moons to assist in the navigation for both airborne and seaborne units, together with a spring tide to provide the deepest water to avoid obstacles were the ideal conditions.
On 6th May 1944 the date for D Day was set as 5th June. Once this was announced to the units involved, camps containing assault troops were completely sealed off and under armed guard. By early June the weather began to deteriorate, and by the 4th conditions were unsuitable for a landing; wind and high seas would make it impossible to launch landing craft from larger ships at sea, and low clouds would prevent aircraft finding their targets. The invasion was postponed for 24 hours.
At a vital meeting on 5 June, Eisenhower's chief meteorologist Group Captain JM Stagg forecast a brief improvement for 6 June. After discussions with his commanders, General Eisenhower said “ok, we go”
NVAA BATTLEFIELD TOUR NORMANDY 2012
