In 1943, General Dwight D. Eisenhower was given supreme command over the planned invasion by Allied forces into German held France. The code name given to the plan was Operation Overlord and the invasion began about 12:15 A.M. on June 6, 1944. This day would be forever remembered as D-Day. Getting to it though had been a long, hard road for all who traveled it.
There had been much discussion as to where the invasionary forces should land. Pas de Calais and Normandy were the two possible choices but since Calais was the heavier fortified of the two, Normandy became the final destination. In so choosing Normandy, the objective became seizing the city Cherbourg and to continue until seizing Nantes.
German Fortifications were not the only factor that had to be considered for the invasion. The English Channel was often rough, and such things as tides, winds and even the moonlight had to be taken into account. Since it was an amphibious landing special types of crafts and equipment had to be designed and built.
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