Lodgement

Lodgement

A lodgement is an enclave taken by and defended by force of arms against determined opposition made by increasing the size of a bridgehead, beachhead or airhead[1] into a substantial defended area, the rear parts of which — at the least — are out of direct line of fire.[2]

Although many references state that Operation Neptune refers to the naval operations in support of Operation Overlord, the most reliable references make it clear that Overlord refers to the establishment of a large-scale lodgement in Normandy, and that Neptune refers to the landing phase which created the beachhead; i.e. Neptune was the first part of Overlord. According to the D-Day Museum[3]:

The armed forces use codenames to refer to the planning and execution of specific military operations. Operation Overlord was the codename for the Allied invasion of north-west Europe. The assault phase of Operation Overlord was known as Operation Neptune. (...) Operation Neptune began on D-Day (6 June 1944) and ended on 30 June 1944. By this time, the Allies had established a firm foothold in Normandy. Operation Overlord also began on D-Day, and continued until Allied forces crossed the River Seine on 19 August 1944.

References

  1. ^ Oxford English Dictionary lodgement, lodgment "3. The action of establishing oneself or making good a position on an enemy's ground, or obtaining a foothold; hence, a stable position gained, a foothold. Chiefly in phr. to make or find a lodgement."
  2. ^ United States Department of the Navy -- Naval Historical Center 805 Kidder Breese SE -- Washington Navy Yard Washington DC 20374-5060 Chapter X: The build-up for the Battle of France; Part 1: The post-NEPTUNE naval task "The army still had a desperate battle before them before they would consolidate possession of their bridgehead in the lodgement area."
  3. ^ [1]