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