Fortress Europe
• After the fall of France the Atlantic Wall was created by Germany as an extensive system of coastal defense fortifications
• Nazi propaganda depicted the wall as impregnable
The Raid on Dieppe
The Raid on Dieppe
• Success in the war relied on the Allies gaining a “foothold” in fortress Europe
• Operation Jubilee, August 19, 1942, a force of largely Canadians landed on the beaches at Dieppe and met fierce resistance
• The operation was a total failure, 6000 Canadian lives lost
• Hard learned lessons would become important 2 years later
The Raid on Dieppe
Canadian Memorial at Red Beach
Operation Overlord
• Supreme allied Commander Dwight Eisenhowerbegan planning an amphibious landing in Northern France
• The plan was to gain a foothold on the coast, then move inland
• The operation took place on D-Day, June 6, 1944
• It was the biggest invasion in history and with very causalities, a successful first step in the liberation of Europe
D-Day Landing Grounds
• USA
–Utah
–Omaha
• England
–Gold
– Sword
• Canada
– Juno