Operation Overlord
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 successor to the series of [1] a preparation phase, Operation BOLERO, a 1942 contingency invasion, Operation SLEDGEHAMMER, and a proposed 1943 invasion, Operation ROUNDUP.[2]
Strategic deception
Under the London Controlling Section, the complex Plan BODYGUARD convinced Adolf Hitler that the main Allied invasion was most likely to come at the Pas de Calais, or other locations other than Normandy. This belief led Adolf Hitler to refuse to release counterattack forces until after the beachhead was established.
References
- ↑ Pogue, Forrest C. (1954), Chapter IX: Final Preparations for the Invasion, The Supreme Command, Office of the Chief of Military History
- ↑ Ray Cline (1951), Chapter IX: Case History: Drafting the BOLERO Plan, Washington Command Post: The Operations Division, Office of the Chief of Military History