JUNE 6: D-DAY* 75TH ANNIVERSARY
*D stands for day, the beginning of a military operation. Each day that follows is designated in numerical order, D+1, D+2, D+3, etc. Just after midnight on June 6 1944, thousands of paratroopers were dropped behind enemy lines in France. Air & naval bombardment began just before 6 a.m. Allied infantry began landing at 6:30 a.m. By midnight, all five beaches were securely held by the Allies.
'ARMS AND THE MAN': REMEMBERING D-DAY, by Rob Citino, USA TODAY, Subscriber-Exclusive Special Section, June 2, 2019.
Normandy, France (JFK+50) On June 6, 1944, "the largest amphibious invasion in world history" took place on the beaches of Normandy. Combat soldiers of the United States, Great Britain and Canada, supported by thousands of ships and aircraft, came ashore to free Europe from Nazi control.
The Allies put across the English Channel "the greatest armada in world history" composed of nearly 7000 vessels from 8 navies, 1200 plus combat ships, over 4000 landing craft, and 700 plus support craft. In the air were more than 8000 airplanes including 3455 heavy bombers and 3824 fighters.
156,155 men made the landing and in less than one week 326,547 men and 54,186 vehicles were ashore. The U.S. First Army, including airborne troops, attacked Omaha and Utah beaches. Gold, Juno and Sword beaches were hit by the British Second Army which included airborne troops, the Canadian 3rd infantry and French commandos.**
Even with this massive war machinery, it took the efforts of some very brave men to win the day. Dr. Rob Citno, senior historian at the National WWII Museum argues...
"It wasn't weaponry...the difference was a small number of brave GIS and officers who refused to knuckle under to catastrophe. Men who refused to admit defeat."
Tom Brokaw appropriately refers to these men as "the Greatest Generation."
General Dwight D. Eisenhower was supreme commander of Allied Forces for Operation Overlord. On the eve of the invasion he spoke these words to his army...
"You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you."
*D stands for day, the beginning of a military operation. Each day that follows is designated in numerical order, D+1, D+2, D+3, etc. Just after midnight on June 6 1944, thousands of paratroopers were dropped behind enemy lines in France. Air & naval bombardment began just before 6 a.m. Allied infantry began landing at 6:30 a.m. By midnight, all five beaches were securely held by the Allies.
**The landings, although successful, were not without cost. It is estimated that 2499 Americans & 1914 other Allies paid the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of liberty.
SOURCE
'ARMS AND THE MAN': REMEMBERING D-DAY, by Rob Citino, USA TODAY, Subscriber-Exclusive Special Section, June 2, 2019.
U.S. LCVP Landing Craft
Approaching Omaha Beach
June 6, 1944
US Army Signal Corps Collection
National Archives Photo
