Card Reverse Feature
Every so often we will feature a random card from the collection to display a sampling of type of information provided. (The information is usually edited down from lengthy text to brief key points or events that relate to the Card feature and described as accurately and as concisely as possible so it can be used as a distilled form of education). It has been said by educators and WW2 enthusiasts
"that one brief study of the collection provides an interesting and informative overview of the whole major modern historical battle".
This is the text if it is too small to read on your computer :-
Fortitude was the code name given to the decoy
(or disinformation) mission mounted by the Allies
to deceive the Germans about the date and above
all, the place of the landings. The Germans were
convinced that the British and American attack
would launch from the Pas-de-Calais area, and it was
important not to disillusion them. They therefore
had to believe that a whole group of armies was
present in Kent, opposite the Pas-de-Calais.
Fortitude succeeded beyond anyone's wildest dreams.
Long after June 6th, Hitler remained convinced that
in fact the Normandy landings were the diversionary
tactic to induce him to move his troops away from
the Pas-de-Calais, where he believed the decisive
attack would be launched. He therefore kept his best
units in readiness there, until the end of July,
desperately scanning an empty horizon, while the
fate of the war was being decided in Normandy.
