Remembering June 6, 1944

As America’s World War II veterans gradually leave us, it is time to recall one of the great victories in U.S. history: D-Day.

More than 9,000 Allied troops were killed or wounded during the invasion that proved to be the beginning of the end of the European Theater and World War 11. In one day those 9,000 casualties far exceed any one year of fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan combined. They were among an estimated 150,000 men who eventually stormed the beaches over a 50-mile swath of the French coast. Another 13,000 dropped in from the sky.

By dark, more than 100,000 Allied fighting men had made it ashore and began the march inland.

Military archives say, “An invading army had not crossed the unpredictable, dangerous English Channel since 1688 — and once the massive force set out, there was no turning back. The 5,000-vessel armada stretched as far as the eye could see, transporting over 150,000 men and nearly 30,000 vehicles across the channel to the French beaches. Six parachute regiments — over 13,000 men — were flown from nine British airfields in over 800 planes. More than 300 planes dropped 13,000 bombs over coastal Normandy immediately in advance of the invasion.”

Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower prepared his forces with this speech:

“Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well-trained, well-equipped and battle hardened; he will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!

Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble

undertaking.”