operation overlord

operation overlord required incredibly detailed planning, as well as perfect coordination and timing. the final decisions were made by american general dwight d. eisenhower, nicknamed "ike." he was the supreme commander of the allied expeditionary force (aef). weather was ike's biggest headache. there were only a few days each month when the tides were right for the invasion, and, as june approached, storms howled out of the north sea and into the english channel.

secrecy was also vital. hitler's forces had built a wall of concrete bunkers and gun emplacements along the french coast, and had lain tank traps, mines, and miles of barbed wire. through a variety of deceptions, the allies convinced hitler that the landing target was not normandy, but farther north where the channel narrowed.