Operation Overlord
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Operation OVERLORD was the Allied code name for general operations in northern and western Europe in 1944. While it is commonly equated to the Normandy invasion proper, that was a subset of OVERLORD, with the much more tightly held code name Operation NEPTUNE. It was under the command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower and his headquarers organization, Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces (SHAEF).
Predecessors
Overlord was the concluding part of a series of planned operations:[1][2]
- Operation Bolero – preparation phase
- Operation Sledgehammer – 1942 contingency invasion
- Operation Roundup – proposed 1943 invasion
Strategic deception
Under the London Controlling Section, the complex Plan Bodyguard convinced Hitler that the main Allied invasion would come at the Pas de Calais. This was why Hitler refused to release counterattack forces until after the beachhead was established.
References
- ↑ Pogue, Forrest C. (1954). The Supreme Command. Office of the Chief of Military History.
- ↑ Cline, Ray (1951). Washington Command Post: The Operations Division. Office of the Chief of Military History.