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| General Dwight Eisenhower |
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General Eisenhower, or Ike as he was soon to be known, was given the position of Supreme Commander, Allied Expeditionary Forces Europe.
This allowed him complete powers to oversee and execute the D-Day plan. Many politicians and generals were surprised by his appointment. It had been widely expected that
US Chief of Staff, General George Marshall, would oversee the invasion. Roosevelt however preferred to have Marshall at his side
to advise him on the direction of the war. Marshall therefore suggested Eisenhower for the job. Although having some doubts about Ike's lack of seniority, Roosevelt
accepted Marshall's suggestion.
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| Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery |
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Field Marshall Montgomery was appointed Commander of Ground Forces for the invasion of Normandy.
Prior to invasion Monty reviewed the plan, Operation Overlord. He successfully pushed for expanding the landing area
as well as increasing troop numbers. This was believed, in part, to be an effort to reduce casualties because "squandering of life is the cardinal military sin".
Some in the military, including U.S. General Bradley, criticised these decisions believing it caused the infantry to put unnecessary demands on the rest
of the armed forces.
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From August 1 Montgomery led the 21st Army Group made up of British and
Canadian soldiers advancing through northern France, Belgium, The Netherlands and northern Germany. They forced the surrender
of the German northern armies on May 4 1945.
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General Patton played key roles prior to D-Day as well as during the advance towards Berlin. Before the invasion, his appointment as commander of the
'1st US Army Group' caused the Germans considerable confusion about the site of invasion. Then, in battle, he advanced towards Germany
at amazing speed.
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In preparation for D-Day Patton was publicly put in command of the 1st US Army Group which was buiding up forces in southeast England.
Unfortunately, for the Germans, this Army did not exist. As a result, many in the German army were fooled into thinking invasion would take place in the Pas-de-Calaise.
Patton was commander the 3rd Army as its advance across Europe. Despite armoured units not being available until Aug 1, the 3rd Army astounded many by its
dramatic surge eastwards. By the end of the month they had captured Mayenne, Laval, Le Mans, Reims, and Châlons. This advance continued onto November,
stopping only when confronted by strong German defences at Nancy and Metz. Later, in December, the 3rd Army were key in holding the line during the Battle of
the Bulge. Patton's forces then reached Germany by the end of January, ultimately clearing the entire region north of the River Moselle, and capturing 100,000
enemy troops. This advance is viewed by many as the pinnacle of Patton's career.
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| Field Marshall Karl Gerd von Rundstedt |
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Field Marshall Von Rundstedt was the Commander in Chief West. His primary responsibility was to defend the coast of western Europe.
To do this he organised the construction of the Atlantic Wall, a 1,700 mile line of fortifications along the Atlantic coastline.
Although these defences were originally provided with second-rate forces, as concerns of invasion in the west increased, elite troops
were later put under Von Rundstedt's command.
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Rundstedt was as shocked as any German commander by the Allied invasion. Although not being surprised by the location he had expected
the allies to land in May.
Disputes with Rommel and Hitler over the use of the Panzer divisions hindered matters further. Because Rundstedt was wary of overwhelming
Allied air and sea power he wanted the tanks stationed away from the beaches where they could be vulnerable to bombardment. Rommel wanted them
placed closer to the army to help defend the coast. Unfortunately, Hitler imposed a resolution which pleased neither commander. Furthermore, the
Fuerer's unwillingness to delegate control of the Panzers to Runstedt meant they were unavailable to repel the invasion.
As the Allies advanced Rundstedt realised that German line should pull back to a more defendable position. Backed by Rommel, he expressed this belief to Hitler on June 17.
The German leader refused to entertain the idea. Rundstedt however pressed his case. Unfortunately this was to lead to his dismissal on July 3, being replaced
by the more pliable Field Marshall Hans Guenther Von Kluge.
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| Field Marshall Erwin Rommel |
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Field Marshall Rommel was appointed to command Army Group B. This involved ensuring the adequacy of defences in Normandy.
Working for Field Marshall Von Rundstedt, Rommel was given an almost free reign to improve defences and conduct operation.
Unfortunately restrictions by Von Rundstedt and Hitler complicated Rommel's intentions preventing movement of troops
between armies and untilising the Panzer divisions.
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Rommel's Inspection of the Atlantic Wall defences found them to be woefully inadequate.
He immediately set to building improvements, laying minefields on the beaches and beach approaches
and in the English Channel. Fortifications were strengthened, fields of fire were improved, and
obstacles of all sorts were placed in the water at approaches to possible landing sites.
In addition, flood plains were flooded and fields were positioned with poles to prevent their possible use as landing areas.
Despite these changes Rommel realised the defences would not repel any invasion. He was surrendered to the fact that
only quick and effective, well-armed counter-attacks, involving the Panzer divisions could defeat any invasion.
When invasion came Rommel was severely hindered. The Panzer tanks had been stationed away from the beaches by Rundstedt and Hitler.
In addition Hitler refused to delegate their command and was asleep during the first 16 hours of the invasion. Consequently
Rommel had little support for any counter-attack. Also, excessive control over troop arrangements (again by Rundstedt and Hitler)
meant that men were not freely transferable between armies and troops were not efficiently distributed along the coastal defences.
Rommel's attempts to hinder the Allies were tragically brought to an end. While in hospital recovering from wounds inflicted by allied
aircraft (July 17) he was implicated in the July 20 plot to assassinate Hitler. On Oct. 14, 1944, two German generals investigating the case,
visited Rommel and gave him the choice between taking poison or facing a trial by the People's Court. He chose to take the poison and died
in the generals' automobile near Ulm, Germany on Oct. 14, 1944. Hitler gave Rommel a hero's funeral and publicized his death as the result
of wounds received in the earlier air attack.
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