D-Day June 6th 75 years ago

[dan_s]

Seventy-five years ago, in the early hours of June 6th, 1944, the largest amphibious assault in history, preceded by an enormous air assault, commenced. Codenamed "Operation Neptune" but more commonly referred to as D-Day, it was the first assault of "Operation Overlord," the Allied Forces invasion of the European continent, and the beginning of the end for Adolf Hitler's National Socialist Workers (NAZI) Party and its reign of terror across Europe. < It makes me sick that we now have socialist running for president.

Shortly after midnight, 2,200 Allied bombers and attack aircraft began their assault on German strongholds along the beaches of Normandy, France. The bombardment was followed by more than 24,000 U.S., British, and Canadian airborne troops who parachuted behind the beachheads, while aerial and naval bombardments continued to soften German positions at landing zones Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.

Through heavy swells in the English Channel, an Allied armada was launched and, by sunrise, more than 132,000 Allied infantry began landing along 50 miles of Normandy beaches. They came in 289 escort vessels with 277 minesweepers, and they waded ashore from more than 5,000 landing and assault craft.

The NAZI defenses were formidable: 50,000 troops manning 170 coastal 100mm and 210mm artillery guns and 320mm rocket launchers rained murderous fire down upon the Allied Forces as they struggled ashore, amid endless machine-gun and sniper fire.

By the end of the first day, there were more than 10,000 Allied casualties, with 4,414 confirmed dead and as many missing in action — more single-day American battle dead than Antietam or Pearl Harbor. There were an estimated 1,000 German casualties. As the landing zones were secured in the days that followed, the initial infantry and airborne units pushed inward. By the end of June, more than 875,000 Allied troops had crossed the English Channel, and by mid-August, more than two million Allied troops had landed, incurring almost 226,000 casualties — 72,911 killed/missing and 153,475 wounded. Along with many French resistance fighters, almost 15,000 civilians were killed.

After the initial assault was underway, President Franklin Roosevelt's message and prayer for our military personnel spoke to the enormity of the task and the arduous battles that would follow. FDR noted, "Many people have urged that I call the Nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts." He prayed, "Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our Nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity."

We should all learn more about this pivotal moment in our history, and that of the entire world, by visiting the D-Day Memorial website, the outstanding National WWII Museum website, and the Army D-Day website, where you can listen to Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower's D-Day message.

Gen. Eisenhower encouraged his troops, reminding them: "The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. ... And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking."

Ike had also prepared another note in the event Operation Neptune failed: "Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops, my decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone."

Thank God for all those who ensured that he did not have to deliver that second message.

Today, the NAZI bunkers above Normandy's beaches remain as solemn and silent reminders of tyranny, and the region is now marked with many fitting tribute monuments and the vast American Cemetery, where 9,380 of our dead are interred and the names of 1,557 missing are memorialized. President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron will join other national leaders in observance of the 75th anniversary.

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." —John 15:13

On this and every day, please pray for our Patriot Armed Forces now standing in harm's way around the world in defense of our liberty, and for the families awaiting their safe return.

[John.A.Hunt]

Dan - thank you for this reminder - this had totally slipped my mind. I think all of us have a family story about WWII. I have at home my Dad's high school diploma. His class at Central High School in Lincoln, Nebraska graduated in June, 1942. So we know what those boys all did right after high school.

[dan_s]

My father was working on a truck assembly line at age 16 because the family farm went broke. He joined the navy at age 18 and his first deployment was on a supply ship that supported our troop at the battle of Okinawa. He told me that there were two supply ships carrying a lot of ammo. The other ship took a direct hit and all onboard were killed.

He was on a ship in Tokyo Bay soon after Japan surrendered. His ship took Chinese POWs back to China.

He spent the last two years in the Navy in Hawaii and he said it was two wonderful years.

Much different times than we have today.

[mrbill]

My Dad enlisted in the Air Force in late 44 at a young 17 with a letter of permission from his parents.
He trained at Keesler AFB/Biloxi to fix bombers, but the War ended. He completed his service for 3 years
Stateside. The ultimate gentleman, went into the family business 6 days a week for 60 years, sick only a couple of days, an iron horse. Only alzheimers could stop him.

My grandfather on Mom's side was an Army infantry sergeant. Mom said he had a standard speech, "I was in the War in North Africa, then Anzio,Italy where I was wounded, and that is all I will say."
One time as a kid I asked him about the experience, expecting to hear nothing. Instead, he told me 20 seconds about hand to hand fighting in Anzio, a forgotten bloodbath. Then he got shot below the belt,
men you know where. It ended his war. I am convinced he had a bad case of PTSD. Gran and Mom said he drank too much. Gran with her iron will got him to stop, I never saw him drink or have effects ever in my life.
The little he told me shook me as a kid, I could almost understand the horror without being there.
He closed this snippet saying "Remember, all's fair in love and war" We never talked about it again.
He was a great guy, give you the shirt off his back type, a leader, people were drawn to him.
Born on a farm in 1909 in Savannah, MO. I am lucky to have 2 great role models from the Greatest
Generation to grow up under.