Operation Sledgehammer
Encyclopedia
Operation Sledgehammer was a World War II
Allied plan for a cross-Channel
invasion of Europe
, as the first step in helping to reduce pressure on the Soviet Red Army by establishing a Second Front
. Essentially, Allied forces were to seize the French ports of either Brest
or Cherbourg
during the early autumn of 1942 along with areas of the Cotentin Peninsula
, and then amass troops for a breakout the spring of 1943.
The operation was eagerly pressed for by both the United States and the Soviet Union, but it was never actually carried out as it was finally realized that it was wholly impractical at that period in time, an assessment which was vindicated by the Dieppe Raid
of August 1942.
pressed for an invasion of mainland Europe via the English Channel "as soon as possible", i.e. the early part of 1942. The British were, however, reluctant, as it was felt that other factors had a higher priority in terms of resources; the time was not right; and in any event, insufficient men and landing craft were available.
The U.S. tended to regard this reluctance as an example of British caution, but since at the time they lacked the resources to carry out such an operation themselves, the result was stalemate, along with increased pressure on the British, which began in March 1942 with a letter from President
Roosevelt
to Winston Churchill
:
On 8 April, General George Marshall
and Harry Hopkins
arrived in Britain to press the case for two possible American plans for a landing in Occupied France:
However, the elements required for such an operation were lacking, i.e. air superiority, amphibious capability, sufficient forces, and adequate logistical backup. Despite all this, the JCS considered Sledgehammer feasible.
If Sledgehammer had indeed been carried out, the British could have landed only six divisions at most, whereas the Germans had 25-30 divisions available to them in Western Europe. And even assuming it could be established in the first place, a beachhead on the Cotentin peninsula would be blocked off and attacked by land, sea, and air. Cherbourg, the only suitable port, would no doubt be mined, while aircraft and artillery would be expected to attack the town in strength, while German armoured forces were brought to bear.
The pressure to mount Sledgehammer increased further when Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov
arrived in the UK to press the continued need for a Second Front. After trying and failing to persuade Churchill, Molotov travelled on to Washington where he enjoyed a better reception and received more support for his requests. He then returned to London convinced that a Second Front in 1942 was an actual part of Anglo-American policy.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Allied plan for a cross-Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
invasion of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, as the first step in helping to reduce pressure on the Soviet Red Army by establishing a Second Front
Western Front (World War II)
The Western Front of the European Theatre of World War II encompassed, Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and West Germany. The Western Front was marked by two phases of large-scale ground combat operations...
. Essentially, Allied forces were to seize the French ports of either Brest
Brest, France
Brest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
or Cherbourg
Cherbourg-Octeville
-Main sights:* La Glacerie has a race track.* The Cité de la Mer is a large museum devoted to scientific and historical aspects of maritime subjects.* Cherbourg Basilica* Jardin botanique de la Roche Fauconnière, a private botanical garden.* Le Trident theatre...
during the early autumn of 1942 along with areas of the Cotentin Peninsula
Cotentin Peninsula
The Cotentin Peninsula, also known as the Cherbourg Peninsula, is a peninsula in Normandy, forming part of the north-western coast of France. It juts out north-westwards into the English Channel, towards Great Britain...
, and then amass troops for a breakout the spring of 1943.
The operation was eagerly pressed for by both the United States and the Soviet Union, but it was never actually carried out as it was finally realized that it was wholly impractical at that period in time, an assessment which was vindicated by the Dieppe Raid
Dieppe Raid
The Dieppe Raid, also known as the Battle of Dieppe, Operation Rutter or later on Operation Jubilee, during the Second World War, was an Allied attack on the German-occupied port of Dieppe on the northern coast of France on 19 August 1942. The assault began at 5:00 AM and by 10:50 AM the Allied...
of August 1942.
History
After the United States entered World War II, the U.S. Joint Chiefs of StaffJoint Chiefs of Staff
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters...
pressed for an invasion of mainland Europe via the English Channel "as soon as possible", i.e. the early part of 1942. The British were, however, reluctant, as it was felt that other factors had a higher priority in terms of resources; the time was not right; and in any event, insufficient men and landing craft were available.
The U.S. tended to regard this reluctance as an example of British caution, but since at the time they lacked the resources to carry out such an operation themselves, the result was stalemate, along with increased pressure on the British, which began in March 1942 with a letter from President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
to Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
:
On 8 April, General George Marshall
George Marshall
George Catlett Marshall was an American military leader, Chief of Staff of the Army, Secretary of State, and the third Secretary of Defense...
and Harry Hopkins
Harry Hopkins
Harry Lloyd Hopkins was one of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's closest advisers. He was one of the architects of the New Deal, especially the relief programs of the Works Progress Administration , which he directed and built into the largest employer in the country...
arrived in Britain to press the case for two possible American plans for a landing in Occupied France:
Operation Roundup
Roundup was to be executed by 48 Allied divisions, 18 of which would be British. It was to be mounted before April 1943.Operation Sledgehammer
Sledgehammer was a plan to capture the French seaports of either Brest or Cherbourg during the early autumn of 1942. Sledgehammer was to be virtually entirely carried out by British troops as the Americans could only supply two or three divisions in the required time frame. Churchill responded that it was "more difficult, less attractive, less immediately helpful or ultimately fruitful than Roundup". After capturing Cherbourg and areas on the Cotentin peninsula, the beachhead was to be defended and held through the winter of 1942 and into 1943, while troops were massed for a breakout operation to take place in spring 1943. This plan became popular and received the codename Sledgehammer. Hopkins added additional political weight to the proposed plan by opining that if U.S. public opinion had anything to do with it, the U.S. war effort would be directed instead against Japan if an invasion of mainland Europe was not mounted soon.However, the elements required for such an operation were lacking, i.e. air superiority, amphibious capability, sufficient forces, and adequate logistical backup. Despite all this, the JCS considered Sledgehammer feasible.
If Sledgehammer had indeed been carried out, the British could have landed only six divisions at most, whereas the Germans had 25-30 divisions available to them in Western Europe. And even assuming it could be established in the first place, a beachhead on the Cotentin peninsula would be blocked off and attacked by land, sea, and air. Cherbourg, the only suitable port, would no doubt be mined, while aircraft and artillery would be expected to attack the town in strength, while German armoured forces were brought to bear.
The pressure to mount Sledgehammer increased further when Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov
Vyacheslav Molotov
Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov was a Soviet politician and diplomat, an Old Bolshevik and a leading figure in the Soviet government from the 1920s, when he rose to power as a protégé of Joseph Stalin, to 1957, when he was dismissed from the Presidium of the Central Committee by Nikita Khrushchev...
arrived in the UK to press the continued need for a Second Front. After trying and failing to persuade Churchill, Molotov travelled on to Washington where he enjoyed a better reception and received more support for his requests. He then returned to London convinced that a Second Front in 1942 was an actual part of Anglo-American policy.