Talk:British logistics in the Normandy campaign

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Article milestones Date Process Result January 9, 2018 Good article nominee Listed February 23, 2018 WikiProject A-class review Approved June 11, 2019 Featured article candidate Promoted A fact from this article appeared on Wikipedia's Main Page in the "Did you know?" column on January 17, 2018. The text of the entry was: Did you know ... that British logistics in the Normandy Campaign depended on a Mulberry harbour? Current status: Featured article

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This review is transcluded from Talk:British logistics in the Normandy Campaign/GA1. The edit link for this section can be used to add comments to the review.

Reviewer: Nick-D (talk · contribs) 07:59, 2 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

I'll review this very interesting article over the next few days. Nick-D (talk) 07:59, 2 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

• The lead would benefit from material noting how successful the logistical arrangements for the campaign were

  Struggling to find a source for this. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 12:06, 3 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

  Y Added to the Outcome section. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 01:31, 5 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

• Could the background section expanded to note the influence which campaigns up to that stage of the war had on the logistics planning? (eg, the experiences gained from the various amphibious operations and the campaigns in North Africa) - this would help the make the point that the British weren't starting from scratch, and some of the lessons learned about the logistical needs of forces engaged in this kind of campaign had been learned the hard way.

  Okay... Hawkeye7 (discuss) 12:06, 3 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

  Y Added a paragraph about this. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 22:27, 4 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

• I'd suggest translating the D+x format for numbering days the first time its used

  Y Switch to date format for most references; added explanation on first use. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 12:06, 3 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

• The material on the preparations could note the measures taken to hide them from the Germans: the photo of the trucks appears to be an example of this given that they're parked under trees on a dirt road

  I'll see what I can find. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 12:06, 3 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

  Only routine camouflage was practiced. 21st Army Group didn't think that a camouflage deception would be worthwhile. [1] Hawkeye7 (discuss) 22:43, 8 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

• The coverage of the capture of Cherbourg should probably note how badly damaged the port there was (which I imagine helps to explain why the capacity allocated to the British looks so modest)

  Three points here: (1) The port was never very big; (2) Most of the allocation went to the Americans; (3) The port was badly damaged. I'll find some info. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 12:06, 3 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

  Y Expanded on this. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 20:33, 4 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

• I'd suggest noting the issues around the availability of replacements and manpower more generally in the discussion of casualties. While British casualties were lower than expected, they still absorbed all of the available replacements and led to a division being disbanded.

  Yes, the 59th Division. Will add this. Hawkeye7 (discuss)

  Y added this. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 20:34, 4 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

• "! September" - typo: 1 September I presume ;)

  Y Corrected. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 12:06, 3 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

• I vaguely remember reading something (in John Buckley's fine book on the 21st Army Group, I think) about the efforts made to recover and repair damaged tanks being sufficiently successful to offset much of the seemingly heavy losses - helped by the the British generally advancing and being able to recover their tanks while the retreating Germans didn't have this luxury. Do your sources discuss this? I can dig up the book if it would be helpful.

  Monty's men? I'll look it up. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 12:06, 3 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

  I couldn't actually find it when I looked for it. Nick-D (talk) 09:49, 9 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

• The discussion of air supply could note the use of gliders to land equipment and supplies for the 6th Parachute Division during the early day(s?) of the campaign.

  Will do. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 12:06, 3 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

• The section on the pursuit phase of the campaign should probably note that several divisions were also "grounded" to free up their transport.

  The 52nd Division? Will add this. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 12:06, 3 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

  This was for Market-Garden. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 22:44, 8 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

• The Outcome section would be strengthened by a discussion of the success of the logistical efforts prior to the breakout as well. As I understand it, and the article appears to state, the 21st Army Group was very well supplied and this was a major factor in its success.

  Yes, that is correct. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 12:06, 3 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

  Y Added a paragraph to this effect to the Outcome section. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 22:27, 4 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

• Is it possible to note whether British logistical arrangements were more or less successful than those of the US Army? (or were they so intertwined for this to be meaningless?).

  Y Words to this effect in the outcome section. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 22:27, 4 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

• Perhaps note Operation Pluto somewhere, if only to help to dispel the myths around its influence on the campaign.

  I originally wrote a bit about PLUTO, but Bambi did not come into operation until 18 September, and Dumbo not until 1 November, so it was outside the scope of the Normandy campaign. Hawkeye7 (discuss) 12:06, 3 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

Nick-D (talk) 10:24, 3 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

My comments are now all addressed, and I'm pleased to pass this nomination Nick-D (talk) 09:49, 9 January 2018 (UTC)[reply]

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