"When pressure mounts and strain increases
everyone begins to
show the weaknesses
in his makeup.
It is up to the Commander to conceal his:
above all
to
onceal doubt, fear and distrust."
--General Dwight D. Eisenhower
The seven men selected to lead the invasion of Normandy,
Operation Overlord-three Americans and four British-sat
down together for the first time in January 1944. All
had at least thirty years of military experience, and
were regarded by their peers as exceptional in their fields.
Many had served together in previous campaigns, and almost
all had participated in the amphibious assaults in the
Mediterranean Theater of Operations. They knew that Overlord
would require Allied collaboration on an unprecedented
scale.
In the months leading up to D-Day the commanders worked
around the clock, planning strategic and tactical operations,
conducting training exercises, and coordinating the resources
and efforts of the ground, air, and naval forces. There
were numerous setbacks, many stemming from personality
clashes and conflicting beliefs about the best course
of action. When tempers flared, Eisenhower, as Supreme
Commander, intervened to ease tensions among his colleagues
so that Overlord would not be jeopardized. It was essential
that they cooperate in what Winston Churchill called "much
the greatest the thing we have ever attempted."
The organization formed to direct Overlord was known as
Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF).
All of the commanders in SHAEF reported to Eisenhower.
Though the leaders of the ground forces, General Montgomery
and General Bradley, were not technically part of SHAEF,
they took their orders directly from the Supreme Commander
and worked closely with SHAEF staff.
