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What is D-Day?

 * The Normandy Landings, also known as ‘Operation Overload’ occurred on June 6, 1944 and proceeded until August 25, 1944. The battle, which is famously also known as D-Day, was an operation which launched the invasion of Germany-occupied Western Europe during the Second World War by the Allied forces. The Allied forces at this time consisted of the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. The ambiguous assault involved 12,000 plane airborne assaults and involved almost 7,000 vessels. On June 6, nearly 160,000 troops crossed the English Channel and by August 25, more than 3 million troops were in France.

Plans of Deception

 * The Allied forces created a plan of deception against the German army. The Allies falsely created an ‘Operation Bodyguard’ to deceive the German’s to believe they were using a different method of attack. Instead, they consciously allowed Operation Bodyguard become recognized to the Germans while they continued their planning of the very real Operation Overload. The Allies led the Germans to believe that they were going to attack areas further north in France, therefore causing a lot of the German troops to protect areas where there would be no attacks, and leave the area where there was going to be attacks under-protected. The Allies also created the factious operation called ‘Operation Fortitude. This operation led the Germans to believe the attacks would be towards Norway; therefore they were unprepared when the main attack was in Normandy. By using these deception plans, the Allies were able to deceive the Germans to protect areas that were not to be touched and leave the main beaches of Normandy to be majorly unprotected against the great attacks.


 * The planning of D-Day took many months to prepare prior to June 6, 1944. The Allies had to decide where to attack and the amount of troops to bring forth in attack. As well as the planning of the deceptions, they also had to plan the actual attacks. Because of Hitler’s ownership of France since 1940, there needed be another takeover of France by the Allies. June 6, 1944 is the day of the attacks, even though it was not the day originally planned, but was pushed back just a little to achieve perfect weather and fighting conditions. Not only the plans were deceptive, but the actual attack was carefully planned to confuse the German Army. The use of dummies in parachutes got their attention which led them to focus on the dummies when they should have tried harder to shoot down the Allies in order to win. Although many of the Allied soldiers were shot down by the German’s, even more so the Allies drowned because of their efforts to swim to shore as their invasion to the beach.

How the French People were affected

 * The French people were greatly affected by the attacks of Normandy because they ultimately received returned ownership of their land. They were very grateful of especially the Canadians effort in the Second World War. After the attack had occurred, the Germans tried to fight back and again take control of France, but they had lost many casualties and much of their pride, therefore presented France back their land. France’s economy did not automatically recover, instead it took some time for the French to get back on their feet and realize they were no longer under German ruling. The French army did get stronger and larger and more equipped than ever if the case of invasion was ever to happen again. Schooling and the work force increased in France and more people became educated and making money to support the economy. Although the realization of being overtaken by Germany was very fresh in their mind, they were determined to move on and be even more successful than ever before.

Prior to D-Day

 * Prior to June 6, 1944, Germany had been very involved in the Second World War. In the years before 1944, Germany had been declared war by France after Germany’s invasion against Poland in 1939. By May and June of 1940, Germany had defeated France, Belgium, Holland, Norway, and Denmark. At this time, Germany was a force to be reckoned with. In 1941, Germany invades previously allied Soviet Union, which led to a bloody way which lasted until 1945 on the Eastern Front. Japan attacks US fleet at Pearl Harbour, which ultimately brings the United States into the Second World War. In the beginning of 1944, the planning of Operation Overload increased. With appointed officials taking lead with organizing D-Day and planning the attack, it wouldn’t be long until their plans became actions. A month before the attacks, the date of D-Day had been set depending on the right conditions to attack; this was based on the tides and the moonlight. By May 31, 1944, the troops had begun to load their ships and landing craft that would take them to Normandy. On midnight of June 6, 1944, the first of the troops had landed in Normandy and had started their fight for freedom.

Historiography

 * D-day was a very successful and monumental day. Not only was it the detrimental final chapter to the Second World War, it was also the start of change people had towards violence and war. June 6, 1944 is for some seem as the most memorable day of the 20th Century and the most influential example of the effects of war. Hitler was power hungry, therefore causing him to effortlessly take over Europe and gain power against those who were not strong enough to fight on their own. Operation Overload was the final straw to his power and from that time on, everyone knew that even the greatest, most powerful leaders can be overcome at some point. France was reunited with their own power and the Allies won a great battle by means of deception, determination and bravery.


 * Although the battle was not completely recorded for people to relive the horror, many videos have been made to show audiences the occurrences of June 6, 1944. Such movies as ‘Saving Private Ryan’, ‘Band of Brothers’, and ‘The Longest Day’, do a great job of portraying the events of D-day. While they use much gore and explicit scenes that are not for the faint of heart, they also do a great job in showing the rawness and emotions the soldiers had on that day when they invaded Normandy. Each movie had their own story line which allowed the audience to feel and see what the soldiers were feeling and understand what it must be like to be a part of the action. Even though movies or documentaries may not always tell the whole story of what it was like to actually be there or may exaggerate the events, movies like these do a wonderful job in helping us understand the tragedy as well as the triumphs of Operation Overload.


 * But some might say that D-day was not a triumph, but instead a great loss for the Allies and Europe. Although in the end the regained their ownership over Normandy from Hitler, many soldiers were killed or badly injured, leaving them unable to continue fighting. Also, a lot the government and army’s money was spent with planning and the actual attack on Normandy, so was it all worth it? Although many agree that it was indeed worth the risk of losing hundreds of thousands of worthy soldiers and precious dollars since in the end they received what they were fighting for, some may agree that it the risk was too high. The Germans might have gotten word of their deceptive plans and therefore were more prepared than ever to fight the Allies, and possibly kill even more soldiers and continue control of Europe and became even more powerful. And also, the families of the fallen soldiers might not agree it was worth the lives of their loved ones. Quite possibly, Hitler’s control over Europe may have benefited more than hurt the lives of people living in Europe. Other than the Jewish Genocide, Hitler may have had the best interests of his people in mind and was trying to make a better country. While these questions are only speculations, some may feel it is worth taking a look at these examinations may help with justifying why the Allies did attack and why Operation Overload was such a great success.


 * While the attacks lasted a few months, most of the damage occurred during the first day, and even by day three they were still unsure if the attacks were a success. It took 31 days for the city of Canne to be captured, which was originally planned to be overtaken by day two since the Germans fought so hard to keep ownership of the land. It wasn't until 11 months after D-day that the Second World War actually ended in Berlin. The reason that the Allies were so success in liberating Europe was because each country did not attack on their own. Instead they worked as a team and were stronger together than apart. The Americans did not solely defeat the Germans, instead it was the British and the Canadians that ultimately ended the Nazi era Hitler had created.


 * Therefore while many may speculate the success of the attacks on Normandy, no one would ultimately decide that June 6, 1944 was the most iconic event of the 20th Century. It was the end the greatest war ever fought and years of pain and suffering of innocent good people. It also was the start great prosperity and change in the prospective in how the nations should act when conflict rises. It may not have ended every single one of the world’s many problems, but at this time, war had ended and people could now live at ease and move on from the fear they had felt for many years before.

Bernage, G. (2001). D-Day landing beaches: the guide. Editions Heimdal.

Copp, J. T. (2003). Fields of fire: The Canadians in Normandy. Toronto, Ontario: University of Toronto Press.

Paris, M. (2004). Picturing d-day. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/ehost/detail?vid=3&hid=122&sid=f7df9ce1-71ef-4a12-9c87-874e523498d2@sessionmgr115&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl

Reed, C. (1964). D-day propaganda. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&hid=122&sid=0a019915-f61e-4a70-ace4-d7e58a88c6ec@sessionmgr104

MoniBake (talk) 04:20, 23 November 2012 (UTC)