March 30, 2024

Countdown to D-Day Began Eighty Years Ago with Historic Briefing

On Good Friday, 7 April 1944, the most senior Allied officers who would be involved in the D-Day landings due to take place in June, gathered in London at St. Paul’s School, temporary headquarters of 21st Army Group under the command of General Sir. Bernard L. Montgomery. As the commander of ground forces for the impending invasion of France, “Monty” had summoned his colleagues for a day-long briefing about plans for the operation. Also due to attend would be Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

The meeting had been given the codename Exercise Thunderclap. Monty opened the proceedings with a ninety-minute presentation outlining how Operation Overlord, the invasion’s codename, would unfold over the first few months. He emphasized the need to build up the size of the force so that it could undertake heavy operations against the German army.

During Monty’s presentation and the subsequent briefings by the other Allied commanders, smoking was not permitted, as per Montgomery’s standing rules. Prior to the afternoon tea break, however, Monty sniffed the air and announced, “When we reassemble, gentlemen, you may smoke if you wish.” This raised quite a laugh since all present knew that after the break they would be joined by the cigar-smoking Prime Minister and the Supreme Commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who chain smoked cigarettes.

While many who were present thought Churchill looked very tired when he spoke himself, General George S. Patton recorded in his diary that “The Prime Minister made the last talk and the best.”

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“All the preparations, strategical and tactical, had been made with the greatest skill and care,” Churchill told the assembled brass. “We are now going to write a glorious page in the history, not of one country or of two, but of the world.”

The 2024 second quarter issue of Finest Hour coming out later this spring will be about the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Join the International Churchill Society today, if you are not a member, to receive your copy.