Analyse the reasons why the British army was so successful in the Battle of Normandy, June – August 1944
There were several important factors which resulted in a victory for the British Army in the Battle of Normandy. It was necessary to secure Normandy in order to give a strong foothold with which Germany could be defeated, so allowing a successive Allied victory over Germany in the Second World War in May 1945.
Many important objectives intended for the British landings were achieved, allowing the British to set up a secure bridgehead with which an attacking force could be built up. The Mulberry harbours on the beaches of Normandy and PLUTO had made sure that the Allied forces were well supplied. 54,000 tonnes of supplies were received by the Allied forces each day. Operation Fortitude was a big success for the British as the Germans thought that the invasion was going to happen at Calais but it was actually going to happen at Normandy.
Important military offensives were launched during the Battle of Normandy by the British, which aided the Allied capture and advance through Normandy. At first, progress was delayed by difficult terrain, bocage countryside, and German resistance. The first significant offensive made by the British was Operation Epsom, which lasted between 24th and 30th June. The plan involved moving British soldiers to the west of Caen to ease pressure off the Americans at the bocage. I was thought to be a failure with 4000 casualties due to bad weather and German resistance. Operation Goodwood was then launched on 18th July to deal with the German defences around Caen. The bombardment was not completely effective, this had also failed with 5000 British casualties. Caen was captured on 10th July which was an essential part of the capture of Normandy, the British were able to replace the losses in Epsom and Goodwood, but the Germans could not.
