When General Eisenhower launched the invasion armada for the coast of Normandy in the early hours of 6 June 1944 the allies achieved complete strategic and tactical surprise. Dönitz, whose U-boats and special small craft were supposed to play a key – and suicidal – role in the critical initial stages while the troops were being landed, was on holiday with his family in the Black Forest. Rommel, commanding Army Group B on the Channel and North Sea coasts, was at home on his way to report to Hitler at the Berghof.
