D-Day and the defeat of Germany.

Question 1

When did the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbour?

Answer 1

On December 7th 1941.

Question 2

What was Operation Overlord?

Answer 2

The British convinced US generals that an invasion had to be carefully planned. Germany had had years to plan defences along the French coast. Even though they were diverting troops to fight the Soviets in the east, there were still huge numbers in France. The Allies could only land as many troops at a time as they had landing craft. They needed careful planning to land as many as possible, as quickly as possible. They also needed to plan to send more troops and supplies quickly. They needed to divert as many German troops as possible from Normandy, the planned landing site. So they carefully leaked information suggesting that they were planning to invade a different part of the coast.

Question 3

When was the D Day landing set for?

Answer 3

June 6th 1944.

Question 4

Why were the Germans confused about where the troops would land?

Answer 4

1. Attacks on radar stations all along the Channel and up as far as Norway.
2. Coded radio messages and other information leaked by resistance groups and the SOE, all suggesting the invasion would be near Calais.
3. A variety of complicated plans that led the Germans to believe that large numbers of troops were landing in other parts of France and that a large fleet of ships was moving towards the French coast near Calais.

Question 5

How did the Allies put pressure on Germany?

Answer 5

1. By bombing industrial sits, military bases and cities in Germany, far more heavily than Britain had been bombed in the Blitz.
2. By using radar to find enemy submarines and bombing them from planes, so keeping the seas clear to ship supplies.
3. By helping resistance movements to fight the Germans and sabotage road and rail links.