Which operation was crucial for establishing a foothold in Europe for Allied forces?

Operation Overlord was crucial for establishing a foothold in Europe for Allied forces during World War II. This operation, commonly known as D-Day, took place on June 6, 1944, and involved a massive amphibious invasion of Normandy, France. The success of this operation allowed Allied forces to secure a beachhead in France, from which they could penetrate deeper into occupied Europe.

The planning and execution of Operation Overlord were meticulously coordinated, involving land, air, and naval forces from multiple Allied nations. Its successful outcome marked a significant turning point in the war, as it opened up a new front against Nazi Germany and laid the groundwork for subsequent offensives that ultimately led to the liberation of Western Europe.

In contrast, while the other operations mentioned did play important roles in the war, they either took place in different contexts or did not primarily focus on establishing a foothold in Europe. For example, Operation Barbarossa was the German invasion of the Soviet Union, Operation Market Garden aimed at a combined airborne and ground assault in the Netherlands, and Operation Torch was the Allied invasion of North Africa. Each of these operations had its strategic goals but none directly contributed to the initial establishment of a significant presence in Western Europe like Operation Overlord did.