June 1944

Eastern Front

The second front is finally opened as the Western Allies invade Normandy. For the next few weeks Hitler will be fixated with the defense of the West and the destruction of the Allied landing force. The Anglo-American invasion of Italy in September 1943 had opened a limited second front against the Germans but failed to tie down sufficient forces to influence the fighting in hte east to any great degree. Possibly the most decisive factor in the West is the Allied combined bomber offensive. By attacking the German ability to wage war, the Allied air forces inflict crippling losses on the German fuel suppliers and production facilities. Furthermore, the raids have drawn the Luftwaffe away to the west, paving the way for the Soviet air armies to gain absolute air superiority. With the loss of thousands of valuable 88mm arty pieces acting in an anti-aircraft role, the ground forces are deprived of one of their most effective anti-tank guns, a valuable resource condidering the Soviet preponderance of armor.