Glossary

Operation ANVIL was a plan designed to create a second front in Western Europe by invading Southern France, although it was later merged with the larger DRAGOON operation.

Washington conference, 20 Dec 1941-14 Jan 1942, on proposed Anglo-American offensive against Germany. Participants include the President, the Prime Minister, and their military staffs.

OPERATION ARGUMENT, often referred to as the “Big Week” was an air campaign aimed at destroying the German Luftwaffe, weakening their air power before the Allied invasion of Normandy.

These were coordinated attacks by Eighth and Fifteenth Air Forces on German aircraft production, with an assist by RAF. The plan was drafted 2 Nov 1943 and presented on 29 Nov 1943 by Combined Operational Planning Committee and thereafter repeatedly modified. Operations are conducted 20-25 Feb 1944.

Invasion of Italy at Salerno, 9 Sep 1943.

British invasion of Italy near Reggio di Calabria, Sep 1943.

Buildup of US Armed Forces in United Kingdom for attack on Europe.

Pre-Normandy invasion exercise in water-proofing and landing motor vehicles.

Air operation from United Kingdom to drop supplies to patriot forces in occupied Western Europe.

Operations against Eniwetok and Ujelang Atolls, Marshall Islands, early 1944.

Large-scale air strike by all available air power of AAF and RAF against transportation and communication targets in Germany (22-23 Feb 1945).

First Army operation to penetrate German defenses W of Saint-Lo and secure Coutances.

Series of aerial blows preceding the Normandy invasion, chiefly in the Pas de Calais coastal area of France, to deceive the enemy as to the sector to be invaded.

RAF code name for operations against German missile launching sites (code name also used by USAAF).

DRAGOON itself was a pivotal Allied invasion launched in August 1944, aimed at liberating southern France and securing key ports like Marseille. This operation helped to accelerate the push towards Germany after the D-Day landings in Normandy.

Pre-Normandy invasion exercise of paradrops, glider tows, and related tactics and techniques.

Tehran Conference, Nov 1943.

Attacks on Axis transports between Tunisia and Europe.

Operations against Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls in the Marshall Islands, early 1944.

Capture and defense of the southern Marianas (Saipan, Tinian, and Guam) during spring and summer of 1944.

Capture and def of the southern Marinas (Saipan, Tinian, and Guam) during spring and summer of 1944.

Assault on the Gilbert Islands, late 1943.

Operation Gymnast was the original codename for the planned Allied invasion of Casablanca and North Africa during World War II. Initially proposed in 1942, it was intended to establish a foothold in North Africa to relieve pressure on Soviet forces fighting Germany on the Eastern Front. The operation was later revised and executed as Operation Torch, which took place in November 1942. This large-scale amphibious invasion involved American and British forces landing in French-controlled Morocco and Algeria, aiming to push Axis forces out of North Africa and prepare for the invasion of Southern Europe. Operation Torch ultimately contributed to the defeat of the German Afrika Korps and secured vital supply routes for the Allies.

Bombing det for China-Burma-India Theater.

Twelfth Air Force.

The invasion of Attu.

Offensive against the Po River bridges, Jul 1944.

Operation to secure a bridgehead over the Rhine River, Sep 1944.

Plan approved in Apr 1944 for bombing of Japan by B-29’s based in Calcutta area and staging through adv fields in Chengtu area.

Actual operations within OVERLORD. Used for security reasons on OVERLORD planning documents bearing place, names, and date.

Codename for targets consisting of German missile-launching sites (V-weapons, and rocket sites).

US-British conference at Quebec, Sep 1944.

Overall plan for the invasion of Western Europe in 1944.

OPERATION OVERLORD, the code name for the Normandy Invasion on June 6, 1944, is one of the most famous campaigns of the war. It marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe and was the largest amphibious invasion in history. The success of OVERLORD paved the way for the Allies to advance through France, Belgium, and into Germany.

MATAF and MASAF OPERATION TO DESTROY ENEMY SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT IN THE Bologna area, annihilation of enemy forces on the Bologna approaches, and the isolation of the battle area, Dec 44.

Allied land assault across the Rhine, 24 Mar 1945.

The Combined Bomber Offensive of US and British Air Forces against the German Air Force and aircraft industry.

12th Army Group operation between Wurm and Rur Rivers.

Evacuation of US airmen interned in Romania, from Bucharest.

Plans for invasion of Western Europe, Spring 1943.

International Cairo Conference, Nov-Dec 43.

British Airborne landing on the heel of Italy, 9 Sep 1943.

Combined air attack on Pas de Calais area, Aug-Sep 1943. Rehearsal of invasion of France.

Air operation to interdict movement of enemy supplies in Italy.

British 30 Corps breakout, Egypt, 1942. Revised plan of assault on Mareth Line, Mar 1943.

This was a lesser-known, highly classified operation involving deception tactics, used to mislead the Axis powers about the location and timing of the Allied invasion plans, and combine US and British plans for the seizure of Dakar, Casablanca, and Tunisia.

Bombing of Ploesti, Aug 1943.

Operation Torch was the Allied invasion of North Africa during World War II, launched on November 8, 1942. It was the first major offensive by U.S. forces against Axis powers and aimed to gain control of French North Africa, including Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, which were under Vichy French rule. The operation involved landings at Casablanca, Oran, and Algiers, with American and British forces working together under the overall command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower. While initial resistance came from Vichy French forces, negotiations and military pressure led to their eventual surrender. Operation Torch was a turning point in the North African campaign, forcing the German Afrika Korps into retreat and paving the way for the eventual invasion of Italy.

US-British Conference in Washington, May 1943.

Plan to base B-29’s in CBI.

Airborne drop E of the Rhine near Wesel, 24 Mar 1945.