ALLIED INVASION OF NAZI-HELD EUROPE A HUGE SUCCESS
S.H.A.E.F. HQ* (JFK+50) On June 6, 1944, Associated Press reports that "Allied tank and infantry forces landed in the Normandy area of Northwest France today and have thrust several miles inland."
German opposition is reported as "slight" with Allied losses "much smaller" than expected.
The massive air, sea and land assault on "a history-making scale," was led before daylight by airborne troops.
German radio says the area of attack is a one hundred mile stretch of coast from Cherbourg to Le Havre.
JFK+50 NOTE
June 6, 1944 is widely known as "D DAY" although that is a military term for the day any military counter-attack or operation begins. It seems the biggest surprise of that "D" day was the light Allied casualties.
I am listening right now to Old Time Radio USA's CBS Radio Coverage of that day. I just heard reporter Edward R. Murrow say that the invasion of France was "almost too easy."
The reason why is given online as "meticulous planning, overwhelming force, effective deception and the bravery of Allied troops." No argument with that. The Allied force included 156,000 troops, 6939 naval vessels & 11590 aircraft.
*Supreme Headquarters American Expeditionary Force was the joint U.S. & British military command which planned the invasion of Western Europe during WWII. SHAEF was established in Feb 1944 & led by US Army General Dwight D. Eisenhower.
SOURCE
"Allies Advance Several Miles In France Against Slight Opposition, Losses Small," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., June 6, 1944, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
