What actually happened?: Eisenhower orchestrated a huge deception campaign that caused Hitler to believe that the invasion would launch from Dover and land at Calais. This deception led Hitler to reinforce Calais and to lighten defenses elsewhere. The deception hinged on the location of General Patton, inflatable tanks and trucks, and double agents/counter-intelligence that absolutely convinced Hitler to ignore the actual invasion when it happened.
On June 6 (D-Day) when Eisenhower invaded Normandy, France, Hitler was so convinced by the deception, that he told his leadership this must be a diversion and to ignore it and let him sleep until the real invasion strikes Calais.
Watch here for a thorough narrative of the deception techniques that Eisenhower employed:
Watch Spielberg's version of D-Day. (Caution: Tremendous Violence):
Did you make the same decision as Eisenhower or a different one? Do you think your decision was better or worse?
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