The Logistics of OPERATION OVERLORD

Presented by Brigadier General Gilbert S. Harper, U.S. Army (Ret.) 

On June 6, 1944, the Allied forces undertook a dangerous and daunting mission, codename: OPERATION OVERLORD. Five ground and two airborne divisions landed in France that day and supplies and soldiers continued to cross the English Channel in the weeks that followed. The D-Day invasion is well known for the sacrifices of soldiers and civilians. The logistical challenges of the D-Day invasion were daunting, requiring months of planning and strategizing. Join Brigadier General Gilbert Harper as he helps to visualize the enormity of the task and fully appreciate the significance of the invasion’s success.

Brigadier General Gilbert Harper graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1970. He received a master’s degree from Stanford University in 1978. In 1989, he was a National Security Fellow at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.

In 1999, Brigadier General Harper retired from the US Army, after serving as Commanding General of the US Army Transportation Center and School. During his military career, he commanded companies in Germany; the 193rd Support Battalion in Panama; the 593rd Area Support Group at Fort Lewis, Saudi Arabia, and Somalia; and the Eastern Area Military Traffic Command. He also served on the Army and Joint Staffs. Since retiring, he has focused on supporting veterans and their families.

Lunchbox Learning is generously sponsored by: