If Overlord had failed

[ACSpectre]

I always found it intriguing that Eisenhower had prepared a speech of sorts if Overlord had failed. On the face it seems like the act of a great leader making sure that no one else would be made into a scapegoat if the operation. However, I do wonder how much uncertainty there was among the Allied leadership about the success of the invasion.

Here is the text of Eisenhower's prepared statement:


“Our landings have failed and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone.â€

 

[Louis]

I do not think it was preserved in the "Time Capsule" buried in Normandy and to be opened in 2044 .-

 

[AirborneBob]

What would have been the effect on the US's will to carry on the fight in Europe? Remember, that for nearly 3 years we had prepared for this invasion, and for it to fail would have been a tremendous blow to the national psyche. More importantly, Hitler would have been emboldened knowing that his Atlantic Wall fended of the Allied assault. Assets in the west could be freed up to finish off the Soviets and even capture Moscow.

 

[Rico]

it probably would've meant the Red Army on the Rhine about early 1946... even with transfer of large part of the Panzer assets in France to the Eastern Front, the war there was pretty much lost by then.
The Third Reich would've lasted 6 or 8 months longer and the Allies would've had far less a contribution in the land victory -- projections are that it would've taken at least a year or until early spring 1946 before the Allies could try again.
The Red Army might've been bled white, but I suspect with continued lend-lease support, Stalin would've carried on until the last Red Army frontovik left standing to take Berlin and get revenge on Hitler.

 

[ACSpectre]

it probably would've meant the Red Army on the Rhine about early 1946... even with transfer of large part of the Panzer assets in France to the Eastern Front, the war there was pretty much lost by then.
The Third Reich would've lasted 6 or 8 months longer and the Allies would've had far less a contribution in the land victory -- projections are that it would've taken at least a year or until early spring 1946 before the Allies could try again.
The Red Army might've been bled white, but I suspect with continued lend-lease support, Stalin would've carried on until the last Red Army frontovik left standing to take Berlin and get revenge on Hitler.

A very plausible scenario. This definitely would have changed the makeup of Post War Europe, likely pushing the Iron Curtain quite a bit further westward.