Early 1944: Objectives and Planning
The objectives of Operation Bodyguard were to deceive the enemy as to the timing, weight and direction of the Allied invasion in France. It had three main goals; to make the Pas de Calais appear to be the main invasion target, to mask the actual date and time of the assault and to keep German reinforcements in Pas de Calais (and other parts of Europe) for at least 14 days after landing.
Bodyguard set out a detailed scenario that the deceivers would attempt to sell to the Germans. This included Allied belief in air bombardment as an effective way of winning the war – with the 1944 focus on building up bomber fleets. It then specified a number of invasions across the entire European coastline – in Norway, France and the Mediterranean. In January planners began to fill in the details of Bodyguard, producing the various sub-operations to cover each of the invasions and misdirections.
The task fell to two main departments. 'A' Force under Dudley Clarke, which had been successful early on, were once again given with the Mediterranean region. In Europe, however, responsibility shifted away from the LCS (who took on a co-ordination role). Prior to Eisenhower's appointment as Supreme Commander all planning for Overlord fell to the Chief of Staff to the Supreme Commander Allied Forces (COSSAC), Frederick E. Morgan. Under his regime the deception department, Ops. B, had received limited resources, leaving most of the planning so far at the feet of the London Controlling section. With Eisenhower's arrival Ops. B was expanded and Dudley Clarke's deputy from 'A' Force, Noel Wild, was placed in control. With these new resources the department was able to put together the largest single segment of Bodyguard; Operation Fortitude.
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