Friday 6 June 2014

World of Tanks: Today in History: Operation Overlord

June 6th, 1944, signalled the start of Operation Overlord: a strategic operation to land Allied forces in Normandy, the largest amphibious landing in history of warfare. Over 3 million people took part in its execution. Operation Overlord opened the Western Front of the Second World War.

The preparation procedures were strictly classified. Military personnel that took part were forbidden from leaving their base. Operation Overlord was accompanied by a massive campaign of disinformation.

Allied forces were composed of Americans, Canadians, the British, and soldiers of the Free French. The supreme commander of the operation was General Dwight Eisenhower.

The ships destined for Normandy were loaded mainly in Portsmouth. 10 armoured divisions took part in the landings, each with around 300 combat vehicles.

The operation concluded on August 31st, 1944. As a result, Paris was liberated, and Allied forces weer ready to begin their advance to the German border.

Original article available here.

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