The plan to invade Europe, liberate the occupied countries
and defeat Nazi Germany has its roots in a telegram from
the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, to U. S.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt dated 25 July 1940. He wrote
…plans ought also to be made for coming to the aid
of the conquered populations by landing armies of liberation
when opportunity is ripe. For this purpose it will be
necessary, not only to have great numbers of tanks, but
also vessels capable of carrying them and landing them
direct on to beaches.
Churchill
created a Combined Services Committee in 1942 to study the
possibilities and, at the Casablanca Conference in January
1943 Churchill and Roosevelt agreed to create the Anglo-American
Inter-Service Headquarters to make preparations for the
invasion in readiness for the day when a Supreme Commander
could be appointed. In the meantime Lieutenant-General Frederick
Morgan took on the post of Chief of Staff to the Supreme
Allied Commander (designate); he was known by the acronym
COSSAC. Everyone had their own D-Day story; some
tank men will be telling us theirs…
Most vehicles featured on this website
are part of the Tank
Museum collection, many are on public display from time
to time. Please enquire
for details
Visit
the Tank Museum Website
