The code name for 6 June 1944, when 150,000 Allied troops landed on the French coast at Normandy in the largest amphibious operation ever undertaken, and arguably the riskiest. As the Supreme Allied Commander was unwilling to accept military orthodoxy—which militated in favor of an invasion across the shortest stretch of the notoriously rough English Channel and the capture of a port to assist in the immense logistical supply —several innovative measures were taken to ensure success and prevent a counterattack while the troops were at their most vulnerable while establishing a beachhead.
A massive, integrated deception campaign code-named FORTITUDE was mounted to enhance the enemy’s confidence in the mistaken belief that the true Allied target was the Pas-de-Calais and that the Normandy attack was a mere diversionary feint.