(June 6, 2014 at 1:42 pm)Brian37 Wrote: One thing I still have yet to understand about the war itself in it's entirety. Japan sucker punched us into it with Peril Harbor in 41, but D-Day didn't happen until 44 and the war ended just several months later? So if we were fighting both prior to D-Day why did it take so long when D-Day seemed to make it so quick? Someone's going to say strategy I am sure.
It took awhile to ramp up production, including training soldiers, airmen and sailors. Significant build up for the invasion also couldn't start until the German U-boats were somewhat under control and the RAF gained air superiority. Also, an amphibious invasion of the continent would have been impossible before the German losses suffered at the Battle of Stalingrad. This alone made an invasion conceivable so planning didn't start until '43.
Politics did play a part. The Russians wanted an invasion in '42 simply for relief. Britain was cautious and preferred at times an eastern or southern Europe invasion strategy (looks good on paper until you consider how to supply an advancing army from that point).
