O papel da marinha na operação Overlord: estratégia, logística e impacto na Vitória Aliada

Abstract

The research objective of this dissertation is to analyze the role played by Allied naval forces in Operation Overlord, launched on June 6, 1944, the largest amphibious operation in history and a decisive turning point in World War II. Behind the scenes of soldiers landing under enemy fire and aircraft dominating the skies, a crucial element for Allied success operated silently: the supremacy at sea achieved by the Allied Navy. However, historiography tends to emphasize the land and air battles, relegating the naval contribution to the background. The investigation seeks to demonstrate that maritime superiority, sustained logistics, and interforce coordination were decisive factors for the success of the operation and the defeat of Nazism. The research adopted a qualitative approach, based on document analysis and literature review. The theoretical framework draws on classic authors such as Mahan, Corbett, and Castex, as well as contemporary studies by Till, Morison, and others dealing with amphibious warfare and joint operations. The results confirm that Allied naval supremacy, combined with robust logistics and the interoperability between the navy, army, and air force, was crucial to success. Naval actions ensured the safe crossing of the English Channel, protected supply lines, and provided decisive fire support, neutralizing German coastal defenses and preventing Axis counterattacks. The logistical effort, exemplified by the construction of artificial ports Mulberry and the undersea pipeline PLUTO, ensured the continuous flow of troops and supplies from England to Normandy, sustaining the beachhead and the Allied advance. Furthermore, the operational integration of navy, army, and air force in Overlord was fundamental and a precursor to current joint operations doctrines. It is concluded that the naval component was decisive for Allied victory, reaffirming the importance of sea power as a strategic element. The lessons of Overlord regarding power projection, expeditionary logistics, and interoperability remain relevant to contemporary military doctrines and the strategic planning of modern naval forces.