Invasion of Normandy - Essay Example

1 The Normandy Invasion is regarded as the world’s greatest military operation, because it paved the way for the liberation of France, and the entry of the Allied forces into Europe. The paper attempts to discuss the reasons for this invasion, concerning the idea that the decision proved to be a worthy choice, since it led the Germans to surrender nearly 11 months, after the invasion. 2 One should understand that Normandy was chosen, because of its strategic location. The decision was not inevitable.

It required careful planning. Since the Hundred Years War in Europe, Normandy had not seen any invasion. Therefore, there was no way the Germans could have expected an attack from this area, since there were no ports in the area. 3 The area for the invasion was chosen was between Cherbourg and Le Havre, and it was closest to the embarkation ports in England. It had highways, which led to Paris. The coast also offered the best landing places, and a nearby port, which the Allies had to seize. In fact, Normandy also proved to be close enough to ensure that fighter plans could be dispatched for aerial bombing, along with a coastal attack.

4 In that particular summer of 1944, six armies and millions of men fought and the place was transformed into a blood bath, until Hitler’s forces laid down their defense. Eventually, the road to Paris was cleared, and the Allied capture of France was complete. 5 While everyone knew that the Allies were to attack soon, so that they could have access to France, the question was the exact location of the attack. Therefore, the element of surprise was also one of the reasons, why Normandy was chosen.

The Nazis were expected an attack near Calais, since the place had an access to a deep-water port.6 Hence, the plan was in such a way that the troops of each country in the Allied forces would capture hold of the beaches first, namely five beaches in Normandy and then move inland. Since the beaches had no harbors, they were to be prepared artificially, and assembled at Arromanches in the British sector, and the other off Omaha Beach. Moreover, the Allies had maintained the surprise to such a large extent that very few Germans expected an invasion from Normandy, and the bad weather conditions had even put this idea out of the minds of those, who previously thought this was possible.

7 The alternative place, as mentioned above was the Calais, which offered a deep-port, but this was heavily occupied by German soldiers. However, the Allied Forces had learned from their mistakes quite well, since they had been defeated at Dieppe two years earlier, which was a heavily defended port. 8 Of course, the advantage of the Normandy Invasion, instead of the invasion of Calais is put forth by Liddell Hart, a military historian, who states that the purpose of strategy is “to diminish the possibility of resistance.

The aim of strategy must be to bring about this battle under the most advantageous circumstances. And the most advantageous the circumstances, the less, proportionately, will be the fighting”. 9 Nevertheless, a deceptive campaign also ensured that the Germans continued to maintain army forces at Calais. Another alternative included Brittany, which was dismissed quickly because, while it had excellent ports, it would have been easy for Germany to seal the Allied army on the Brittany peninsula.

10However, the rough areas of the beaches at Normandy could act as a deterrent, as well, since the area had cliffs on the edges of the water.