What was the fortification level in Pas-de-Calais during D-Day?

So,it's often said that the Pas de Calais beaches were one of the most fortified positions in the world during that time,but what was their real level of protection and what casualities level can the Allies expect by invading Calais?(let's just say that the Nazis can hide most of their defenses to Allied air recon)
 
I wonder if a coup de main, going straight for the jugular, would have forced the Nazis into fighting and they could have been attrited away via strat bombing and direct bombardment
 
On the game boards it's consistently more difficult. Higher risk of initial failure, tougher fight in the first weeks. Beyond the beach it is difficult to persuade the German player a second landing further west is a serious threat, so more German pieces pile up.
 
What about Operation Fortitude pointing towards Normandy, to get the Germans wasting effort in that direction?
You have Operation Quicksilver with Patton in SW England heading FUSAG to increase the deception, too.
 
It is possible to redirect FORTITUDE, but it may not be as successful. As played it was based on a analysis of messages OKW indicating Hitlers, and the other leaders predisposition. (Thank you Bletchly Park.) Once the choice for Normandy was made the Deception Committee played to German expectations.

Given this pre judgement by Hitler et al, then it's a challenge to turn their attention elsewhere.
 

James G

Gone Fishin'
It is possible to redirect FORTITUDE, but it may not be as successful. As played it was based on a analysis of messages OKW indicating Hitlers, and the other leaders predisposition. (Thank you Bletchly Park.) Once the choice for Normandy was made the Deception Committee played to German expectations.

Given this pre judgement by Hitler et al, then it's a challenge to turn their attention elsewhere.

I couldn't agree more; this is an excellent description of why the deception worked.
When your opponent wants to believe something, the smartest move is to make him believe it rather than try to change his mind.
 
I couldn't agree more; this is an excellent description of why the deception worked.
When your opponent wants to believe something, the smartest move is to make him believe it rather than try to change his mind.

Hitler waffled a lot on the subject. It is not impossible that without the Double Cross Op. He would have veered to Normandy as the primary & authorized maximum immediate reinforcement.
 
I couldn't agree more; this is an excellent description of why the deception worked.
When your opponent wants to believe something, the smartest move is to make him believe it rather than try to change his mind.

Basic Napoleonic Maxim ... "Never interrupt your enemy when he's making a mistake"
 
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