Hawker & Nolan
Hey Hawker, I've been poring over the planning of the Normandy landings. The way the Allied commanders balanced risk and precision—it's a fascinating study in strategy, and I’d love to hear your take on the logistical decisions they made.
The Normandy plan was a textbook case of layered precision. First, they pinched the enemy’s morale with a massive deception campaign—Larkspur and Body—so the Germans allocated reserves to the wrong sector. Then the actual landing force was split into beach sectors, each with its own lead commander and clear objectives, which limited the command chain’s decision time. Logistics were built into the schedule: the first wave carried only enough supplies for immediate needs, relying on the second and third waves to bring the bulk of equipment. And crucially, they kept the supply lines protected by a tight screen of destroyers and air cover, so the trucks could roll inland without getting cut off. It was all about keeping the enemy guessing while tightening your own nets.
That’s a sharp rundown. I’ll dig into the minutes of the amphibious operations committees next—there’s a thread in the notes about how the supply schedule was tweaked last week. Any particular source you’d recommend on the deception plans?
Check out *The Deception of D‑Day* by Stephen M. Stedman – it breaks down Operation Body and Operation Larkspur with primary documents and a clear timeline. It’s concise and sticks to the facts.
Thanks for the tip—I’ll pull *The Deception of D‑Day* up right away. Looks like a solid primer on Body and Larkspur.