Transport Plan

The Transport Plan was a strategic plan devised by Professor Solly Zuckermann, an advisor to the Air Ministry during World War II.

His plan was a rival to the Oil Plan, his premise being that if the Allies destroyed the means of transport in Occupied France, then Germany would be unable to respond effectively to an invasion.

His plan required the destruction of the French Rail centres, including Marshalling Yards, Repair Shops and similar. There was much opposition to the plan, from various sources - Bomber Harris considered it another panacea target, Carl Spaatz was convinced his Oil Plan was a better idea, and in fact Spaatz even had support from some members of the Air Ministry, including Group Captain S O Bufton.

The plan was, however, approved, and in March 1944 a direct order from Charles Portal to Bomber Harris instructed him to attack the Marshalling Yards at Trappes, Aulnoye, Le Mans, Amiens, Lougeau, Courtrai and Laon.

Eisenhower wrote to Marshall and Roosevelt 'I consider the Transport Plan as indispensable to the preparations to Overlord. There is no other way this tremendous Air Force can help us, during the preparatory period, to get ashore and stay there'.