APPENDIX VI

Plan FORTITUDE SOUTH II

SHAEF/18250/Ops (B)

19th July, 1944

INDEX

Paragraph
SCOPE OF PLAN 1
PRESENT SITUATION 2–3
CHANGE OF SITUATION 4–5
OBJECT 6
OUTLINE STORY 7–10

OUTLINE PLAN

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION 11
NAVAL
Ships and craft 12–13
Training of assault forces 14
Combined Headquarters 15
MILITARY
Order of Battle 16
Location and movement 17–18
Training 19
Airborne forces 20
Special force 21
Mounting preparations 22
Dummy lighting at ports and hards 23
Paragraph
AIR
Concentration of air forces 24
Training of air forces 25
Strategic bombing 26
COMMAND AND CONTROL 27–8

APPENDICES

Appendix
PRESENT ORDER OF BATTLE AND LOCATIONS (Prior to 21st July, 1944) ‘A’*
DESCRIPTION OF INITIAL PHASE OF OPERATION ‘B’
ORDER OF BATTLE ‘C’

SCOPE OF PLAN

1. In the light of circumstances prevailing at about D plus 20 and within the framework of Plan BODYGUARD, to formulate a plan for the continuation of threat to the Pas de Calais.

PRESENT SITUATION

2. The post D Day Story of the present plan is that operations in the NEPTUNE area are designed to draw German reserves away from the Pas de Calais and Belgium, and that when the German reserves have been committed to the NEPTUNE area the main Allied attack will be made between the Somme and Ostend. (See para. 28. Plan FORTITUDE, SHAEF (44) 13, dated 23rd February, 1944.)

3. The threat to the Pas de Calais has been maintained by a force located in the East and South-East of England which at the moment is composed as shown in Appendix ‘A’. This force, a notional First US Army Group, has been associated with the XIX Tactical Air Command. Manipulation of air operations has shown that this force may also be supported by the remainder of the air forces under AEAF. The threat has been substantiated by considerable wireless activity, as well as the display of some 250 dummy LCTs in the harbours and estuaries of East and South-Eastern England.

CHANGE OF SITUATION

4. From now onwards, formations which have been portrayed as belonging to First US Army Group and situated in the East and South-East England, will appear in the present bridgehead. It therefore follows that unless new formations are shown concentrated in the East and South-East England, the enemy will become aware that the Pas de Calais is no longer threatened, and will be at liberty to reinforce the present battle with forces at present deployed in the cover area. It is, therefore, necessary at this stage to formulate a new Story in order that the threat may be continued.

5. In order that some continuity of threat may be maintained, it has been decided to redesignate First US Army Group so that that Headquarters shall remain in this country so far as the enemy is concerned.

OBJECT

6. To contain the maximum number of enemy forces in the Pas de Calais area for as long as possible.

OUTLINE STORY

7. General Eisenhower has already been forced to reinforce 21 Army Group with both American and Canadian forces from First US Army Group. To such a degree has this happened that he has decided that it is necessary for an American Army Group to be formed which shall take control of the American forces in the 21 Army Group area. This Army Group has, however, been subordinated to General Montgomery.

8. General Eisenhower has, therefore, instructed General Bradley to form Headquarters, Twelfth US Army Group, and has given him authority to call upon the resources of the First US Army Group to assist him in the quick formation of his new Headquarters.

9. The reinforcement of 21 Army Group has caused General Eisenhower to review the policy with regard to the forces which he is keeping in the East and South-East of England available for the assault in the Pas de Calais area. The future policy is to be as follows:

10. General Eisenhower is in a position to reinforce the new bridgehead direct from the United States.

OUTLINE PLAN

Description of Operation

11. At Appendix ‘B’ is a description of the initial phase of the operation, which this outline plan is designed to support.

Naval

Ships and Craft

12. As far as durability and the rate of reconditioning allow, dummy craft will be displayed in the more sheltered south-east and east coast anchorages.

13. As far as operational and repair requirements allow, shipping and craft should be assembled in east and south-east coast ports and the disposition of any Force Headquarters ships due to be laid up or held in reserve should be made to support the location of notional assault force headquarters.

Training of Assault Forces

14. The training of three notional assault divisions will be simulated by wireless, divisional and RCT assault exercises being represented in normal assault training areas.

Combined Headquarters

15. Wireless activity from Supreme Headquarters to Combined Headquarters at Dover and Chatham will be maintained and naval wireless activity will be increased from these headquarters.

Military

Order of Battle

16. The Order of Battle at Appendix ‘C’ will be represented by wireless terminals at Army Group, Armies, Corps and Divisions. Permanent nets will be established by 26th July.

Location and Movement

17. Fourth British Army will move from Scotland to locations in South-Eastern Command between 14th July and 21st July.

18. From now until about 11th July, Fourteenth US Army will be located in Western and Southern Commands. Between 11th July and 21st July this army will move to concentration areas in Eastern Command.

Training

19. In addition to the assault training (para. 14) all formations will carry out CPX as far as resources permit.

Airborne Forces

20. The notional airborne forces will participate in assault training and CPX.

Special Force

21. Blocks of dummy warning messages will be broadcast by the BBC on French and Belgian programmes as required.

Mounting Preparations

22. Activity carried out for FORTITUDE SOUTH will continue.

Dummy Lighting at Ports and Hards

23. The present installations will remain available for illumination as required.

Air

Concentration of Air Forces

24. Ten groups of the Eighth US Fighter Command will be selected to act purely as a notional close support force for the First US Army Group.

Training of Air Forces

25. USSTAF will participate in the assault exercises and CPX as far as operational commitments allow.

Strategic Bombing

26. The strategic bombing programme already being carried out in support of FORTITUDE SOUTH will be continued.

COMMAND AND CONTROL

27. The Supreme Commander is to co-ordinate and control the execution of the plan.

28. Responsibility for giving effect to certain parts of the plan should be allotted as follows:

Paras 14, 16, 18, 19, 20: Deputy Theatre Commander, ETOUSA.

Paras 13, 14, 15: Allied Naval Commander, Expeditionary Force.

Paras 23: The Air Ministry.

Paras 12, 17, 22: Commander-in-Chief, Home Forces.

APPENDIX B TO FORTITUDE SOUTH II DESCRIPTION OF INITIAL PHASE OF OPERATION

Target Dates

1. The military and air forces will be trained and concentrated by 26th July.

Mounting

2. The assault will be mounted from ports in the Southampton–Newhaven area.

Assault

3. The assault will be made by three infantry and three airborne divisions on the beaches exclusive River Somme to inclusive Boulogne.

Right: 55 British Division (2 Corps) and 2 British Airborne Division.

Centre: 59 US Division

Left: 17 US Division
image (XXXVII Corps) 9 and 21 Airborne Divisions.

Follow-up

4. Right: 58 British Division (2 Corps).

Left: 25 US Armoured Division (XXXIII Corps).

Build-up

5. The force will be followed up and built up from the Thames (US forces) and the Southampton area (British forces) at the rate of about one and a half divisions per day.