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 under the top security code name of Operation Neptune. Overlord 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:

• 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.

"Battle of Normandy"

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The Battle of Normandy, which began on the night of 5/6 June 1944 with large-scale Allied assault on occupied France, lasted for three months, with the liberation of the last Norman commune, Honfleur in Calvados, on 25 August 1944.

Planning structure

There is much confusion about the proper terminology for the overall operation, as well as its phases. Operation Overlord was the overall Allied campaign plan for operations in Northwest Europe in 1944.

Overlord was not the first plan for attacking across the English Channel; a series of contingency and serious proposals preceded it: a preparation phase, Operation Bolero, a 1942 contingency invasion, Operation Sledgehammer, and a proposed 1943 invasion, Operation Roundup.

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 Hitler to refuse to release counterattack forces until after the beachhead was established.

D-Day

The actual landings in Normandy, commonly called D-Day, were Operation Neptune. They began with night paratroop and glider drops, and amphibious attacks after dawn. "D-Day" was actually the generic term for the Day of an operation; every amphibious operation had one.

Amphibious attacks

Five amphibious attacks, in division strength or greater, were made.

• Sword Beach (including Pegasus Bridge): British
• Juno Beach: Canadian
• Gold Beach: British
• Omaha Beach: 1st and 29th U.S. Infantry Divisions
• Utah Beach: 4th U.S. Infantry Division