Dwight D. Eisenhower started his military career not in WW II, but in WW I, where he commanded a tank unit. In the interwar years he studied under several generals, and at the outbreak of hostilities in 1942 was charged with planning long-term operations against Germany and Japan. He was soon promoted to Supreme Allied Commander for expeditionary forces in North Africa, then led the invasion of Sicily and Italy, and then was promoted to the most historic assignment of all.

On this day, January 16, in 1944. Eisenhower assumed command of the Allied invasion force in London. This was going to be the massive American, British and Canadian force that would land on Normandy shores less than six months later.

The German forces occupying France expected an invasion for a while, and were poised to repel any attack. Eisnehower knew that to improve his chances he needed a diversion. To that end, the Allies built two fake armies, one threatening Norway to the north and the second near Pas de Calais to the south. Both were backed up with fake radio broadcasts, dummy troops, and false information fed to double-agent German spies. The diversions worked so well that even after the Normandy landings the German high command continued to hold back the bulk of their forces, believing that Normandy was just a diversion from the real attack to come at Pas de Calais.