Chapter 5 Summary and Analysis

"Utilizing Assets" examines the advantage attackers enjoy over defenders, being free to concentrate resources wherever they want. Montgomery and Bradley propose using airborne forces defensively. All agree that throughout D-Day medium and heavy bombers will pulverize coastal defenses, but how to utilize them in the two months prior to the invasion occasions squabbling. Air chiefs Generals Carl Spaatz and Sir Arthur Harris believe bombing alone can bring victory and are loath to interrupt pounding German oil refineries. Opposed to their "Oil Plan" is the "Transportation Plan" calling for a prolonged attack on the railway infrastructure and bridges. Oil Plan advocates believe getting ashore is easy and miss how critical it is to prevent any counterattacks in the first days. Eisenhower turns to Churchill and gains "direction" of the force only after threatening to resign. Churchill passes the buck about targeting to...