D-Day was named “Operation Overlord,” but the German offensive towards Southern Russia was named “Fall Blau” (Case Blue)? Both of them were pretty huge movements of troops and equipment.

Likewise, Allied offensives in Italy were given names like “Operation Bagration,” or “Operation Market Garden,” even if some of them were arguably describing similar scales and troop movements as the Germans did using the Fall Blau moniker. Why didn’t the Allies call any of these, idk, Case Yellow or something?

Or to give a more modern example, the CIA’s activities in Afghanistan prior to the invasion in were called, “Codename Jawbreaker.” But multiple US military activities and movements during the war, even the ones intended to build rapport with the locals, were often called, “Operation ____.” I guess that could be a CIA specific thing, though.

Even in Ukraine now, you hear about the Kharkiv Offensive, Kherson Offensive, etc. Which I’d imagine would usually be called “Operation Whatever,” under normal circumstances. So why weren’t these given some cool Op name too?

I guess my question as a civvie is….at what point do we use terms like “Case” or “Codename,” or “Offensive,” versus “Operation” to designate military actions?

Is it a matter of size? Intent? The people in charge thinking it sounds cool? I don’t get it.