Overlord

This week, on June 6, the United States along with certain other Allied Powers from World War II will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion.  It was probably the most anticipated event in the first half of the twentieth century.  The name itself is rather redundant since the D stands for Day.  Military time, to some degree would be based on the day of the invasion.  For example, If one entered battle in the European Theater on 9 June 1944, it would be referred to as D+3.

Eisenhower Statement of Invasion
Source:  National Archives

The invasion, to reclaim Europe from Nazi tyranny, was to have occurred earlier, but weather postponed the invasion date.  In the morning of June 5, with the idea that there would be a break in the weather the following day, General Dwight Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander Allied Expeditionary Force would give the order in the morning of June 5.  The ships and planes would be loaded with men and material.  It is estimated 11,590 aircraft, and about 6,000 ships would be used in the invasion.  Over 175,000 military personnel would be involved in the Normandy invasion in its first 24 hours.  Security was intense, and few knew of the landing points.  A ruse was in place with balloon tanks and other material, under the direction of General Patton, in order to make the Germans think the invasion would be at another location.

Roy Hovel
Source: Hovel Family archives

While not part of the original invasion force, my father had some impact on the invasion.  As a member of the Army Counter Intelligence Corps he was part of a group providing security for the Operation Overlord invasion force.  He arrived in England on April 17, after an 11 day journey from the shores of the United States.  Yet, his most significant impact is what he found after the invasion force had departed from his location.  On orders to search the barracks for items that may be of interest he came across a large binder headed "Operation Overlord" he was not exactly sure what it was, but certainly had an idea.  The binder contained the plan of the invasion and subsequent plans.  My Dad, T Sgt, Roy Hovel took the binder to his commanding officer where it was then passed up the chain of command.  The person who left the binder behind was a general whose ship had sailed and was out to sea.  One man of many on 6000 vessels moving across the sea.  Arrangements were made for the General to be immediately returned to shore.  He was then sent back to the United States.

CIC Duties in Theater of Operations, p. 1
Source:  Papers of Roy Hovel

We know, from  a letter dated June 11, 1944 that he was fairly busy, and that life "is a lot different than the previous 7 weeks but it is a lot more pleasant."  Two days later, in a letter home his duties must have become much more calm. Showing the oddities of war, in his June 13 letter  he wrote about having gotten to an English porcelain factory (probably Minton), and even though underwhelmed, by their system, he did say "I never saw such beautiful pieces before some costing 5 pounds ($20) for a plate."  He would order some china for his parents, eight place settings.  He would write home again on June 14, but the next letter would have to wait until June 30.  By my estimation he entered Normandy on or about D+13.

CIC Duties in Theater of Operations, p. 2
Source:  Papers of Roy Hovel

The invasion would be costly in terms of human life, but successful.  The Allied war machine would take almost another year (Germany's unconditional surrender was accepted 7 May 1945, and took effect at midnight on 8 May) to bring about the defeat of Nazi Germany, so the full attention of the US and its allies could be turned to the war in the Pacific, the poor stepchild of WWII.  The Europe first policy of the Roosevelt Administration would have been questioned if the operation had failed.  In case of failure of the invasion, Eisenhower had a second letter accepting blame for the operation.  Secrecy was the key to success, and the invasion may not have been a secret but for the work of the CIC agents behind the scenes in providing the necessary operational security.  The invasion changed the face of Europe and the world.