Operation Names
The codename for the Battle of Normandy
What is Operation Overlord?
The east-middle Canadian beach with stiff resistance and many casualties.
What is Juno beach?
How did radio-traffic play a part in the allied strategy?
The Allies fake radio-traffic led Germans to expect an attack in Norway. Also used fake-radio traffic to give the Germans the impression the allied troops were stationed across the English channel, to invade Calais.
What was the oil pipeline and how was it used?
A pipeline built underneath the English channel to provide fuel for the invasion vehicles.
How, and how effectively, was the Atlantic wall used as part of the German strategy?
Ensured that wherever the allies attack, there would be defense. Spread German forces thin across a large stretch of land. Did not have enough concrete and manpower to fortify the Atlantic wall entirely.
The codename for the allied amphibious invasion
The west-most American beach with limited resistance and few casualties.
What is Utah beach?
How did reconnaissance play a part in the allied strategy?
Took 3200 reconnaissance photos to see the terrain, obstacles and defensive structures to plan technology and strategy around. The Enigma machine was used to encode German messages to learn plans and troop movements.
What was the enigma machine and how was it used?
Machine used to encode German messages informing the allies of German troops formations and plans.
How, and how effectively, were tanks used as part of the German strategy?
Tanks split between German generals. Reserve tanks could not be deployed without Hitler’s orders. Hitler was asleep for the first few hours of the attack, thus the reserve tanks could not be deployed.
The codename for the overall allied deception campaign to disguise the point of invasion
What is Operation Bodyguard?
The west-middle American beach with heavy resistance, hard-fought battle, heavy seas and many casualties.
What is Omaha beach?
How did mulberry harbours play a part in the allied strategy?
Stationed the fake army, barracks, tanks and aircraft opposite the Pas de Calais to deceive German reconnaissance into thinking that is where the invasion would take place.
What were ruperts and how were they used?
Fake paratroopers that were launched before the real ones to cause confusion and make Germans believe the real paratroopers were fake and leave the area.
How, and how effectively, were German spies used as part of the German strategy?
Nearly every German spy in England had been captured or turned into a double agent, encouraging the Germans that the invasion was planned for Calais.
The codename for the allied bombing campaign to ensure air superiority
What is Operation Pointblank?
The east-most British beach with little resistance and 600 casualties.
What is Sword beach?
How did paratroopers play a part in the allied strategy?
Dummy paratroopers were dropped before the real ones to make the Germans think the real paratroopers were fake. Paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines to fight the German defenses on two sides.
What was the Higgins boat and how was it used?
A boat that allowed easy transfer from water to land which carried the troops right onto the beach. Broke the gridlock ship-to-shore movement.
How, and how effectively, were the beach defenses used as part of the German strategy?
Gun-emplacements, wooden stakes, metal tripods, large anti-tank obstacles used to delay the approach of landing tanks, wreck landing craft and impede tanks. Allied tanks and strategy, due to reconnaissance, could easily overcome obstacles.
The codename for the allied misinformation campaign using fake-radio traffic
What is Operation Fortitude?
The center British beach with successful paratrooper operations and 400 casualties.
What is Gold beach?
How did weather play a part in the allied strategy?
The invasion was planned during the full moon to provide illumination and low tides. Needed good weather for calm seas. The allies chose the invasion date accordingly.
What were Hobart’s tanks and how were they used?
Flame-thrower tank, flail tank used to get rid of mines, armoured rank carrier used as a bridge for other tanks to overcome obstacles, bobbin tank deployed matting over beach to make it easier for tanks to move, amphibious tanks allowed easy transport from water to land.
How effective was Hitler as a strategist on the day of the D-Day invasion?
Hitler was asleep during the attack and due to his orders not to wake him, the reserve tanks could not be deployed. Hitler believed that the invasion at Normandy was just a diversion for the real invasion happening at Calais.