The Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, marked a critical
turning point in the European theater of World War II. The massive
landing on France's coast had been meticulously planned for three years,
and the Allies anticipated a quick and decisive defeat of the German
forces. Many of the planners were surprised, however, by the length of
time it ultimately took to defeat the Germans. While much has been
written about D-day, very little has been written about the crucial
period from Augus