The Invasion of Normandy - Research Paper Example

The Invasion of Normandy: D-Day Perhaps the most seminal occurrence of the 20th century was World War II. This war not only involved participants in all hemispheres of the globe, but also resulted in treaties and realignments the force of which the world is still feeling today. While the war contained many seminal events and battles perhaps the most recognized through the present day is the invasion of Normandy. Termed D-Day, the open day of the invasion was June 6, 1944 and extended until mid July of that year. D-Day marked the Allied Forces opening invasion of Western Europe the end of which would result in end of the war in that section of the globe. Indeed, this was a truly expansive effort joining together all of the Allied Forces, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Poland, Greece, Czechoslovakia, and the Netherlands (Neillands). This essay examines the events that surrounded the Invasion of Normandy, specifically exploring the intricacies surrounding battles on the opening D-Day invasion. While today the invasion of Normandy is referred to by the popular tag expression D-Day, the operation itself was the product of months of planning that went under the name Operation Overlord (Hakim). Indeed, the planning for the operation had begun as early as April the year prior as the British General Montgomery outlined operations for an invasion of St. Paul’s Cathedral (Neillands). The invasion itself would become meticulously planned and rehearsed in the months leading up to the attack. One considers that in addition to the significant rehearsal that occurred the Allied Forces made a number of offensive operations as a means of deceiving the Axis Forces that other parts of Western Europe, specifically Northern France, would possibly be attacked. These attacks went under the name Operation Bodyguard and they were ultimately successful in diverting the German forces from the Normandy area, allowing the Allies a strategic advantage during the attack (Hakim). In addition to the rehearsals and deception that occurred before the invasion, the Allied Forces also developed specific new technology for attack. Most notable among the new technology was the ‘mulberry’ (Neillands). This was a mobile, pre-fabricated concrete harbor. This harbor was deployed once the Allied Forces reached the shore and allowed much of their marine units to land without having to use the German controlled docks. While the invasion of Normandy’s overarching intention was to achieve a stronghold in Western Europe, the specific aim of the initial invasion was to make a lodgement at the city of Caen, and from there establish forces at Cherbourg (Hakim). Once these positions were secured the Allied Forces would then enter into the second stage of the Western European campaign. The invasion itself included a truly expansive array of individuals, ships and machinery. Overseen by General Dwight Eisenhower, with ground force command given to British General Bernard Montgomery, 160,000 individuals were involved in the operation (Hakim). Over 7,000 vessels were implemented under the command of Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay; among these 7,000 vessels there were 4,100 landing craft. (Neillands) Another officer, Air Marshall Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory supported the amphibious landings from the air, implementing 1,000 transports to fly in the parachute troops, and over 10,000 tons of bombs that would be dropped in the surrounding area (Hakim). While coordinating this massive assault was a clear logistical challenge, adding to the difficulty was the recognition that there were weather constraints, such that the attack could only be launched ten days out of the year. The invasion itself was originally intended for June 4th, but was postponed until the 6th because of these weather constraints. Fortuitously historians believe the poor weather leading up to the attacks may have given the Allied Forces an advantage as it led the Germans to believe that an attack would be unlikely. The Germans then were in for a surprise as the weather cleared on the 6th and the Allied Forces launched the largest invasion force in history. The D-Day invasion began as the British 6th Airborne Commission led by Major General R.N. Gale landed by parachute and glider at the east of the River Thorne (Badsey). This division contained 8,000 men and their primary intention was to protect the Allied Forces’ left flank (Badsey). The next stage of the operation involved the 1st Special Service Brigade, who landed at Ouistreham; this is referred to the Sword Beach portion of the operation (Badsey). British command forces then invaded Juno Beach and Gold Beach (Badsey). In terms of American forces the first individuals landed at Omaha Beach, as the V Corps 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions landed in 34,250 troops (Badsey). These forces were followed by 23,250 American troops that landed at Utah Beach (Badsey). During the attack the German forces largely under the command of General Rommel experienced tremendous frustrations. Rommel’s made desire was to launch the full force of his Panzer divisions the first day of battle, as they would be useless if dispersed throughout the week; such a desire, however, was overruled by Hitler, who only allotted three divisions (Neillands). While the invasion of Normandy was ultimately a success, this did not come without a significant toll. The battles in April and May that paved the way for the D-Day invasion are recognized to have cost over 12,000 men their lives, 2,000 aircraft to be destroyed (Neillands). The day of the invasion itself significant Allied Forces lost their lives with figures at a reported 3,000 dead, 5,000 wounded, and 1928 missing (Neillands). In conclusion, this essay has examined the Allied Forces invasion of Normandy. Within this spectrum of investigation specific consideration has been given to events and statistics that are central to a comprehensive understanding of the events of D-Day. The essay has revealed that the operation was nearly as large in logistical scope as it was in seminal importance to the Allied mission. Notably, rehearsals, planning, and covert operations led up to this extraordinary event that would become the largest invasion in military history. Even as the invasion contributed significantly to the conclusion of the war, it’s ultimately difficult to label it a ‘success’ when one considers that significant death tolls that occurred on both sides. References Badsey, Stephen. Normandy 1944: Allied Landings and Breakout. Osprey Campaign Series #1. Osprey Publishing. 1990. Hakim, Joy. A History of Us: War, Peace and all that Jazz. New York: Oxford University Press. 1995. Neillands, Robin. The Battle of Normandy, 1944. Cassell. 2002. Read More