Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Aircraft and Vehicles => Topic started by: Jester on February 19, 2004, 11:48:00 AM

Title: World War 2 Trivia (#5)
Post by: Jester on February 19, 2004, 11:48:00 AM
The invasion of Normandy, France on June 6, 1944 was code named "OPERATION OVERLORD."  What was the code name for the "Naval" operations for the invasion?

Good Luck! :aok
Title: World War 2 Trivia (#5)
Post by: Panzzer on February 19, 2004, 12:06:48 PM
Operation Neptune? :confused:
Title: World War 2 Trivia (#5)
Post by: loser on February 19, 2004, 12:24:39 PM
Yeah it was "Operation Neptune"
Title: World War 2 Trivia (#5)
Post by: Rafe35 on February 19, 2004, 12:30:07 PM
Heh, June 6, 1944 means D-Day
Title: World War 2 Trivia (#5)
Post by: frank3 on February 19, 2004, 01:01:04 PM
was 'called' d-day, the mission name was operation Overlord.
Title: World War 2 Trivia (#5)
Post by: FUNKED1 on February 19, 2004, 03:13:32 PM
Neptune was the airborne operation.
Title: World War 2 Trivia (#5)
Post by: frank3 on February 19, 2004, 03:20:15 PM
Why calling it Neptune for air operations? Neptune was the Greek god for the sea!
Title: World War 2 Trivia (#5)
Post by: straffo on February 19, 2004, 03:56:19 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Rafe35
Heh, June 6, 1944 means D-Day


Now 6 June mean : huge traffic jam this year

I think I'll escape to brittany or south this year :)
Title: World War 2 Trivia (#5)
Post by: {92}_Moser on February 19, 2004, 03:58:15 PM
ummm,new member here, but a possible answer to the D-day question is "SWORD"...
Title: World War 2 Trivia (#5)
Post by: Blammo on February 19, 2004, 04:18:48 PM
Quote
Originally posted by FUNKED1
Neptune was the airborne operation.


Sorry, but incorrect.  Neptune was indeed the naval portion of the invasion.  It has been misreported that Neptune was the codeword was for the airborne operation and there is a good reason for this.

There is a lot more that goes into airborne operations than just jumping out of the plane.  Neptune was code word used for setting Overlord into motion.  The ships took longer to get to their targets, their were more of them to manage, etc, etc.  Additionally, once all those ships were fully commited, you just could not turn them around.  There were security issues, safety concerns, etc, etc.

At the time the ships started moving, the paratroopers started getting geared up for their jump at around (or shortly after) midnight.  There wer last minute briefings, intel updates, equipment checks and inspections, etc.  Then, just loading up on the planes and gliders.  It is a very time consuming process.

When the "Neptune" code word was given, it also set the airborne operation into motion, which is the reason for the confusion.  As pointed out, Neptune was the mythical god of the sea and so, the naval portion of the invasion was named Neptune.

I believe Cornelius Ryan's book, the Longest Day, makes this clear as well.  If not, there is a vast wealth of resources on the subject.
Title: World War 2 Trivia (#5)
Post by: Jester on February 20, 2004, 02:09:57 AM
Operation Neptune it is.

Congrats!  :aok
Very good explanation Blammo. !


Quote
Originally posted by Rafe35
Heh, June 6, 1944 means D-Day


For the record Rafe, June 6, 1944 was not the only D-Day - it is just the most well known. There was a D-Day for EVERY amphibious landing performed in WW2. That was code for the day of the actual landing or "Departure Day".


{92}_MOSER - WELCOME TO THE AH BBS! !