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The Invasion of Normandy in World War II Essay

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Invasion of Normandy The Invasion of Normandy was the most decisive battle of World War II in Western Europe. The importance of the location help to diminish Nazi power. The attack was postponed several times due to weather. Was the order to “Go” given to soon based off an incorrect Weather report? The planning of Operation Overlord was an idea that formed early in 1942. One of the key points that helped move the planning along was the idea that the German U-Bats were no longer a threat to the Allies. This now created an ocean that would be safe for the flow of supplies from the United States to Britain. In November 1943 the agreement to plan an immense operation to cross the English Channel and liberate France was in effect. “ The …show more content…

According to the National WWII museum Hitler was quoted saying "Everything indicates that the enemy will launch an offensive against the western front of Europe, at the latest in the spring, perhaps even earlier...." (http://www.nationalww2museum.org/learn/education/for-students/ww2-history/d-day-june-6-1944.html) Hitler and his men had anticipated an attack since 1942. During this time Hitler had started to build what was called the Atlantic wall. This was a coastal fortifications built by Nazi German along the western coast of Europe and Scandinavia as a defense against an anticipated war.
Bad weather forced a postponement for 24 hours resulting in the date of June 6th, 1944 the “ Day of Days.” Calm seas were needed for the troops to get ashore. On June 4th the order to go was canceled. Eisenhower received a different weather forecast and on June 5th he mad the decision to go. The attack was at a critical time if it were postponed then Hitler would have had the opportunity to launch his V1 flying bomb and the V2 rocket. The armada that was put out to sea also would have revealed to the Germans where possibly the attack was to take place. Nearly 6,000 ships were set to cross their way across the English Channel. The idea of postponement never occurred to the Allies. They had to strike at this moment. Erwin Rommel was a German Field Marshall he was given the task of countering

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