Exercise Fabius
Exercise Fabius was a military exercise for the Allied Operation Neptune in World War II.
Exercise Fabius[note 1] was a military exercise for the Allied Operation Neptune in World War II.
Planning and preparatory exercises
[edit]Exercise Fabius was a military exercise scheduled by SHAEF for the Allied Operation Neptune in World War II.[2] One of two major rehearsals planned prior to D-Day, it followed Exercise Tiger, which had occurred a week earlier.[3] Fabius was scheduled in February 1944.[4]
As the nature of the exercise was thought by the London Controlling Section and the Committee of Special Means to possibly convince the enemy that the planned invasion of France would take place of the Normandy beaches, a deception plan was devised. Three double agents, Tricycle, Brutus, and Garbo, told their contacts in Germany that the planned exercises (including Fabius) would be completed shortly before 20 July, the date of the invasion. The date they gave was false.[2]
The British Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery, who had been assigned to command Allied ground forces participating in Operation Overlord,[5] insisted that the number of divisions involved in the exercise was increased from three to five. The assault forces were codenamed "O", "U" (the Western taskforce, which as American), and "J", "G", and "S" (the Eastern taskforce, composed of British and Canadian troops).[2]
Exercises and outcomes
[edit]Exercise Fabius took place from 3–8 May 1944. It was due to start on 2 May, but was delayed by bad weather.[6][2] It consisted of six separate exercises. Fabius 1 involved elements of the 1st Infantry Division and 29th Infantry Division (United States) which practised amphibious landing at Slapton Sands. Fabius 2 involved elements of the 50th Infantry Division which practised landings at Hayling Island. Fabius 3 involved elements of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division that practised landings at Bracklesham Bay. Fabius 4 involved elements of the 3rd Infantry Division and associated units. They practised landing at Littlehampton. Fabius 5 and 6 was an exercise for American and British forces working on the buildup of forces and supplies on the Allied beaches.[6]
The invasion rehearsal was cut short by bad weather at the end of 4 May.[4]
Fabius formed the largest amphibious training exercise of the war. It was the final rehearsal before Operation Neptune. No major changes were made to the plans for the D-Day landings.[7]
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Barbier 2007, p. 265.
- ^ a b c d Barbier 2007, p. 101.
- ^ Yung 2006, p. 152.
- ^ a b Barbier 2007, p. 102.
- ^ Heathcote 1999, p. 217.
- ^ a b Yung 2006, p. 153.
- ^ Yung 2006, pp. 153–154.
Sources
[edit]- Barbier, Mary K. (2007). D-Day Deception: Operation Fortitude and the Normandy Invasion. London: Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 9781567207538.
- Heathcote, Tony A. (1999). The British Field Marshals 1736–1997: A Biographical Dictionary. Barnsley, UK: Pen & Sword. ISBN 978-0-85052-696-7.
- Yung, Christopher (2006). Gators of Neptune: Naval Amphibious Planning for the Normandy Invasion. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-59114-997-2.
Further reading
[edit]- Harrison, Gordon A. (1951). United States Army in World War II: The European Theater of Operations (Cross Channel Attack). Washington D.C.: Historical Division, Department of the U.S. Army.
- Ruppenthal, Roland G. (1954). Logistical Support of the Armies: May 1941-September 1944. The United Kingdom Build-up. Vol. 1. W: Office of the Chief of Military History, Department of the Army.
- Tactical and Staff Duties Division (1947). Battle Summary No. 39 Operation “Neptune”. Landings in Normandy June 1944. Vol. 1. London: Admiralty (United Kingdom).
External links
[edit]
- Items relating to Exercise Fabius at the Imperial War Museum
- Map of Hayling Island prepared for Exercise Fabius II, from The D-Day Story Collection (Portsmouth City Council)