Military History Lecture & Dinner

Military History Evening

Thursday, 6 June 2024

Topic: 'D4' Different Dimensions of D Day

Guest Speaker: COL Steve Larkins OAM (Retd)

As the 80th Anniversary of D Day approaches, it is appropriate to reflect on one of the most momentous undertakings in human history. ‘Operation Overlord’ amounted to the beginning of the end of WW2 in Western Europe. It was a massive undertaking in every respect. Most importantly, it was successful. As they say in the classics, ‘success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan’.

The story of the fight for Normandy and the liberation of Paris is relatively well known, even after 80 years. What is less well known are some of the other key factors of the plan, preparation and execution that helped assure success.