Landing in Normandy - day D

The colossally heavy and bloody defense by the Soviet troops of Stalingrad, as well as further successful operations in the spring and summer of 1943, transformed the Wehrmacht from a victorious and strongest military force in the world into a retreating army. In the middle of the year the offensive initiative finally passed into the hands of the Red Army. In turn, the Allied forces landing in Normandy The final stage of the Second World War, culminating in the final defeat of the Hitler forces and the occupation of Germany.

Tehran Conference and preparation of the Second Front

At the end of 1943, the Soviet army was close to the final liberation of its pre-war territories and the immediate entry of its military formations into the territory of European countries. The participation of the Western allies in the war up to that time was only a diversion of a part of the German troops to themselves (primarily the Luftwaffe, who participated in the battle for England) and the provision of material support to the USSR under the Lend-Lease plan. However, the successes of the Soviet army in battles opened up to it an attractive (and unfortunate for Western leaders) prospect of establishing socialist regimes throughout the liberated Europe. In these conditions, the leaders of the United Kingdom and the United States have become harshly questioned about their own offensive operation in Europe, the result Which was the landing in Normandy.

Not surprisingly, this topic was one of the most debated at the Tehran Conference (November 28-December 1, 1943). In particular, Winston Churchill persistently insisted on the opening of the Second Front in the Balkans, which allowed the West to take part in the occupation of Eastern Europe. However, Stalin's unwavering position, Roosevelt's intransigence and lengthy discussions led to the agreement that the landing in Normandy in May 1944 would occur. The operation was code-named "Overlord." In turn, the Soviet leadership made a promise after the final defeat of the Wehrmacht to start a war against the Japanese Quantum army in the east.

Day D - Day of Disembarkation in Normandy

This happened on June 6, 1944. Numerous Allied forces crossed the English Channel, landed in northern France and launched an offensive against the German positions. This was preceded by an Allied air operation, which resulted in the destruction of almost all the fuel plants in the region. This was done so that the German tanks and other motorized forces could not resist. The landing in Normandy had as its main goal the creation of a springboard for further advance into the interior of the continent. By the evening of June 6, the Anglo-American formations were able to take advantageous positions, despite the desperate resistance of the Germans. The creation of the bridgehead continued until the twentieth of July. The second stage of Operation Overlord, which began in late July, was a breakthrough into the territory of France, its liberation and access to the French-German border. The landing of troops in Normandy became the largest amphibious operation in the history of mankind.