The BreakOut:Operation Cobra

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The Break-OutOperation Cobra
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Agenda

• Fight for ground
• Offensive
• Surprise
• Maneuver
• Seizing Objectives

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Purpose of Operation Overlord

• The D-Day was not an attack designed to defeat
  the Germans.
• After D-Day the fight was just beginning.
• The fight for the inland of France would be the
  critical in defeating the Germans

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Breaking Out of Confinement

• After the D-Day the German defense would keep
  American forces bogged.
• There were two initial attempts to break-out.
• The third attempt by Gen. Bradley would be
  successful.
• This attempt would be known as Operation Cobra.
• Operation Cobra was a well planned strategy that
  freed up the Allied forces for a successful
  invasion.

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Launching Operation Cobra

• After months of being bogged down Operation cobra
  was Launched.
• During the initiation of the attack over a 100
  soldiers were killed due to friendly fire.
• This was a risk Bradley was willing to take.

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Accomplishing the Mission

• The Allies had to break out of their confinement
  to possibly accomplish the over all mission.
• This would mean they had to make a move
  offensively.
• Cobra was designed to be a limited attack
• It was to pierce the Germans defense and
  penetrate deep into the rear.

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Offense

• The objective of offense is to move forward,
  seize objectives, and retain them.

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Surprise

• Bradley launch a massive air bombardment.
• This would initiate the the attack.
• This was a perfect element of surprise.

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Panzer Lehr

• After the massive raid of bombing, finally there
  was a crack in the Germans defense.
• Panzer Lehr was the only division behind the
  front line.
• It would receive the first surprising blow.

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Maneuver

• Operation Cobras maneuver was a simple
  penetration.
• This maneuver was executed at a fast tempo.
• As the Allies aggressively moved forward the
  German forces became disabled.

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Encircling the Germans

• Operation Cobra was just what the Allies need to
  get in to the interior of the land.