L19: D-day Flashcards
1
Q
role of paratroopers on D-day
A
- Brit= destroy Dr guns that threatened landing beaches/ destroy bridges around Caen that Gr could use to bring in reinforcement to Normandy coastline
- USA= taking control of important logistical town of Sainte-Mere-Eglise/ secure causeways near Utah beach
- 18,000 Brit+USA
2
Q
aim of beach landings on D-day
A
- aim= break through Atlantic Wall & establish a beachhead whilst more allied soldiers landed
- 5 beaches designated as site of landing zones
3
Q
gains after D-day
A
- numerical superiority of allies/ within month, over 1mil allies soldiers arrived
- allies= complete air superiority
- war of attrition in bocage of Normandy + by August, allies surround Gr from 3 sides in Falaise Gap
- Gr fully retreat
4
Q
problems with the Omaha beach landings
A
- terrain = perfectly suited for defenders
- long, flat strewn beach w anti-invasion obstacles and mines
- high ridges + cliffs = dominant view for defender
- strong currents -> higher tide -> anti-invasion obstacles = hidden in waves
- 27 of 29 Amphibious tanks sank
- US= advance about 1mile in land
- 90% of first wave = casualties (others = 10%)
5
Q
reasons for ineffective Gr response
A
- Rommel= visiting family in Gr/ senior Gr commander= away on anti invasion training exercise
- 4hrs before Gr high command realise need to act
- Gr Panzer division = sat on N of landing zone
- still believed attack on Normandy= diversionary + larger attack would be in Pas de Calais region
- Hitler= only person who could authorise the mobilisation of the Panzer division h/w was watching movie and slept in til 10am
- Panzer division x arrive til 7 Jun
6
Q
outcomes of Operation Overlord
A
- 3 months
- 650,000 Gr fought -> 400,000 casualties (partly due to H’s refusal to allow give up grounds)
- 1.5mil allies fought -> 230,000 casualties
- allies had liberated Paris by end of aug and liberated Belgium by sept
- early 1945, reached Gr border (4.5mil reader to attack + prepare for final offences)
