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--SUBSCRIBE TO EXCELLENT World War II VIDEOS---- --UPLOADED Weekly--- Videos Running Time 00:49:00 in 5 Parts TANKS!: The Battle of Normandy D-Day (Operation Overlord) was the culmination of 2 years of planning, training and preparation. It was the answer to the USSRs pleadings for 2 years. By the time of the D-Day landings, the USSR had pushed the Whermacht back into Poland. The Western Allies would tie down 25-30% of the Whermacht and assist the USSR in the complete ruin of Nazi Germany. The D-Day plan is quite possibly the best planned invasion in history. Much of the credit is owed to the experiences of the British Armed Forces against their respected foe. The selection of Normandy, as the landing zone was chosen by British Lt.Gen Morgan. General Montgomery insisted that 5 divisions invade Normandy rather than three. The enigma decrypts and the British double cross system, of turning German agents sent to Britain, completely fooled German Intelligence (Abwehr) and SS SD (Sicherheitsdienst). By June 6th, 1944, German intelligence relied on 38+ agents in Britain for most of their human pre-invasion intelligence. These agents were either British SIS (Security Information Service) handlers, turned German agents or fictitious agents created by British intelligence. Some in British intelligence became suspicious that the plan was working too well. The British and Canadian forces experience at Dieppe, was a blessing in disguise, despite the terrible casualties sustained by the brave Canadian troops. The British Churchill tank had difficulty negotiating the sand on the beach. However, once off the beach the armor ran into tough obstacles. All armor landed at Dieppe was lost. The British were determined to be better prepared during the next raid or invasion. Known to the Allies as Hobarts Funnies, specialized armor was developed by the British 79th Armored Division. The Churchill AVRE (Amour Vehicle Royal Engineers) tanks were developed for the Normandy landings. Churchill tanks were converted into; anti-mine tanks, carpet layer tanks, flamethrower tanks, bunker buster spigot throwing tanks and numerous other vehicles. Most notable of the specialized armor was the DD (Duplex Drive) Sherman Tank. The DD tank was basically a tank converted into a small boat . With a pressurized canvas screen, the DD Sherman could swim towards the Normandy coast and significantly assist the infantry driving inland. The DD Sherman was a resounding success at Sword, Gold and Juno. The DD tank was a disaster at Normandy Beach. Because of difficult sea conditions and the ridiculous decision to launch the DDs into rough sea 5 miles distant off shore, doomed the DD attack. However, follow-up tank support, brave infantry attacks and naval gunfire turned the tide at Omaha Beach. Superior German armor, tactics and anti-tank equipment turned the Normandy breakout into a nightmare. Hedgerow embankments turned the French countryside into small fortresses. If that wasnt difficult enough, the German Tiger, Panther, PzKw IV and tank hunters could easily knock-out any Allied tank at extreme distance. On the other hand the Tiger and Panthers frontal armor was impervious to any Allied tanks round. Allied tankers began developing a Tiger phobia during any advance. The Normandy campaign came to an end with the closure of the Falaise Pocket. In the end the superior armor, tactics and defenses of the German Army in Normandy could not turn the tide. Allied superiority in numbers, air power and overall strategy defeated the Germany Army in Normandy. Enjoy this excellent episode of TANKS! The Battle of Normandy.