Not enough existing paved airfields. IIRC there were two near the beach head. One near Cherbourg and one @ Caen. There were others that had been improved or built for the BoB with asphalt bonding some gravel or something. Those had been near abandoned in 1942 & neglected. Steady use of those old strips would have required massive ongoing improvement to handle several dozen Dakota's each day. Otherwise the heavy rains of latter June would have turned them to bottomless muck as the thin pavement gave way.
The other half of this is that for most of the battle, until August fuel consumption was far below expected. The lodgement was expanded at a very slow pace. The demand was for artillery ammunition. The Germans we're caught in a attritional battle and Bradly/Montgomery took the opportunity to bury them with incredible quantities of cannon ammo.
The other half of this is that for most of the battle, until August fuel consumption was far below expected. The lodgement was expanded at a very slow pace. The demand was for artillery ammunition. The Germans we're caught in a attritional battle and Bradly/Montgomery took the opportunity to bury them with incredible quantities of cannon ammo.
Last edited: