Norman operation “Overlord”: a second front or a two-front war

The relevance of this research is determined by the current geopolitical situation, characterized by intensified attempts to falsify the history of World War II. In this context, an objective assessment of the impact of the opening of the Second Front in the European theater of operations on the overall victory over Nazism represents a key problem in contemporary military-historical science. One of the debatable problems of modern military-historical science is an objective assessment of the role and significance of the opening of the Second Front in the European theater of operations in the final defeat of the Nazi Germany's troops and its satellites. Generalization of the historiographical experience of studying the indicated problem, taking into account the source base available to researchers, allows us to identify the author's position on the stated topic. The purpose of the research is to provide a scientific assessment of the historical events related to the problem of the opening of the Second Front by the Allied forces of the Anti-Hitler Coalition. Objectives: To identify and systematize the key parameters characterizing the genesis, stages of preparation, dynamics of development, and effectiveness of the strategic operation “Overlord”. Methodology. The research is based on the fundamental principles of objectivity, historicism, and a systemic approach. A set of complementary general scientific and specifically historical methods was used in the process, including analytical, critical, problem-chronological, and retrospective analysis. Results. The article reveals the foundations of the military-historical view 80 years later on the Normandy strategic operation “Overlord” and raises the question of whether it was the opening of the Second Front or still a war against German troops on two fronts. Based on factual material, an assessment is given of historical events related to the problem of the opening of the Second Front by the Allied forces of the Anti-Hitler Coalition. The process of preparing this operation is presented, and the features of its course and significance for modernity are shown. Conclusions. During Operation Overlord, not only new means of armed struggle were used, but advanced elements of military art were also embodied: strategic deterrence, misleading the enemy, operational camouflage, and joint landing of air and sea assaults. All these elements are still widely used in the theory and practice of military affairs.