63 years ago today
posted at 10:11 am on June 6, 2007 by Bryan
A great invasion force stood off the Normandy coast of France as dawn broke on 6 June 1944: 9 battleships, 23 cruisers, 104 destroyers, and 71 large landing craft of various descriptions as well as troop transports, mine sweepers, and merchantmen—in all, nearly 5,000 ships of every type, the largest armada ever assembled. The naval bombardment that began at 0550 that morning detonated large minefields along the shoreline and destroyed a number of the enemy’s defensive positions. To one correspondent, reporting from the deck of the cruiser HMS Hillary, it sounded like “the rhythmic beating of a gigantic drum” all along the coast. In the hours following the bombardment, more than 100,000 fighting men swept ashore to begin one of the epic assaults of history, a “mighty endeavor,” as President Franklin D. Roosevelt described it to the American people, “to preserve … our civilization and to set free a suffering humanity.”
The attack had been long in coming. From the moment British forces had been forced to withdraw from France in 1940 in the face of an overwhelming German onslaught, planners had plotted a return to the Continent. Only in that way would the Allies be able to confront the enemy’s power on the ground, liberate northwestern Europe, and put an end to the Nazi regime.
SecDef Robert Gates is in France to note the anniversary:
COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France — Marking the 63rd anniversary of the D-Day landings that turned the tide of World War II, Defense Secretary Robert Gates evoked emotional images of a bloody beach assault that “unfolded as if it were a lifetime” for the young men who braved German guns.
Gates attended the anniversary ceremony and dedication Wednesday of a visitor’s center at the Normandy American Cemetery, the burial ground for 9,387 war dead, most of whom lost their lives in the June 6, 1944, landings and subsequent operations.
There isn’t much I can add to the record of what’s been said about D-Day in the past. It was the greatest amphibious operation in history. The fighting was indescribably intense, the casualties were extremely heavy, but the task was accomplished. The Allied fighting men who survived D-Day would go on to crush Hitler and build a new Europe out of the ashes, and then begin the staring contest against Stalin and the USSR. They’ll never let themselves be called heroes, but heroes is the best word to describe them.
Those who did survive D-Day, and those who didn’t, should never be forgotten.
More: Here’s audio of Eisenhower’s Order of the Day for June 6, 1944, thanks to Slublog. Today’s press and political opposition would probably describe it as jingoistic and intolerant.
Blowback
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There is something about stories like this, stories of absolute sacrifice and heroism for a greater cause, that raises the hair on my arms everytime I hear them.
samuelrylander on June 6, 2007 at 10:17 AM
A real war with real casualties.
Note bene, lefties.
And for the terminally leftarded and war-ignorant, here is a casualty breakdown:
Note the number of men lost IN ONE DAY. Now picture our anti-war media in this day and age with such casualty figures.
That’s right. God Bless the greatest generation.
Good Lt on June 6, 2007 at 10:17 AM
FDR D-Day Prayer
My Fellow Americans:
Last night, when I spoke with you about the fall of Rome, I knew at that moment that troops of the United States and our Allies were crossing the Channel in another and greater operation. It has come to pass with success thus far.
And so, in this poignant hour, I ask you to join with me in prayer:
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.
Lead them straight and true; give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith.
They will need Thy blessings. Their road will be long and hard. For the enemy is strong. He may hurl back our forces. Success may not come with rushing speed, but we shall return again and again; and we know that by Thy grace, and by the righteousness of our cause, our sons will triumph.
They will be sore tried, by night and by day, without rest — until the victory is won. The darkness will be rent by noise and flame. Men’s souls will be shaken with the violences of war.
For these men are lately drawn from the ways of peace. They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate. They fight to let justice arise, and tolerance and goodwill among all Thy people. They yearn but for the end of battle, for their return to the haven of home.
Some will never return. Embrace these, Father, and receive them, Thy heroic servants, into Thy kingdom.
And for us at home — fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men overseas, whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them — help us, Almighty God, to rededicate ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice.
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.
Give us strength, too — strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the physical and the material support of our armed forces.
And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they may be.
And, O Lord, give us faith. Give us faith in Thee; faith in our sons; faith in each other; faith in our united crusade. Let not the keeness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment — let not these deter us in our unconquerable purpose.
With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy. Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogances. Lead us to the saving of our country, and with our sister nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace — a peace invulnerable to the schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just rewards of their honest toil.
Thy will be done, Almighty God.
Amen. Franklin D. Roosevelt – June 6, 1944
Brat on June 6, 2007 at 10:18 AM
And, without the initiative of all of those brave men to carry on with the mission when little went to plan, it would have been a disaster.
I wonder how the media would cover such an invasion today?
BacaDog on June 6, 2007 at 10:20 AM
Thanks for the reminder Bryan. My grandfather was in D-Day. I’ll call him today.
vcferlita on June 6, 2007 at 10:27 AM
Thank God CNN, MSNBC, Harry Reid, Pelosi and the rest of their loonies weren’t in positions to ensure our defeat.
rplat on June 6, 2007 at 10:30 AM
Brat, thanks for posting that.
Spirit of 1776 on June 6, 2007 at 10:30 AM
Eisenhower’s Order of the Day.
Slublog on June 6, 2007 at 10:30 AM
The picture of the cemetary and the crosses often brings tears. I had five uncles in Europe, all survived to live long, happy lives.
Some are Democrats, now supporting the candidates and apparatus that makes the defense of this country very difficult, indeed. I find that quite ironic, and I wonder if it is a hidden cost of world war two and the invasion. Their children gave us the 1960s; their social policies gave us the 1970s.
We lost much.
Jaibones on June 6, 2007 at 10:32 AM
I think I heard 1200 WWII veterans die every day now. What will we do without them?
Drtuddle on June 6, 2007 at 10:43 AM
While I would hate to diminish the magnitude of the accomplishment, and the sacrifice by those showed such incredible bravery, I hope that people also remember the incredible amount of screw-ups that this amazing victory happened in spite of. All those who are under the vain, or perhaps cynical, illusion that only sanitary perfection in battle can produce a positive result, should note well that this great triumph is a categorical rebuke to their dangerously misguided thinking.
smellthecoffee on June 6, 2007 at 10:48 AM
We will never have an Iraq war D-Day until the traitorous dems are swept from power and we have a Commander in Chief that will do whatever it takes to win the global war of our day and will stand up to the traitorous MSM. Notwithstanding all that, we have the next greatest generation serving in our armed forces all over the world today. And I dare say that they may one day be recognized as the only great generation as each and everyone of them are in harms way by their own choice. God bless every one of them!
csdeven on June 6, 2007 at 10:55 AM
The idea should be to not need another D-Day in the first place; I think we’re far, far from a comparative 1944 at the moment – but I’d agree that there are troubling signs that we’re heading in the same direction..
Reaps on June 6, 2007 at 11:10 AM
Have my History Channel on all day. I hope that as history continues to be written the accomplishments of those soldiers isn’t dimished.
tomas on June 6, 2007 at 11:13 AM
I am listening to the special on XM satellite radio just as it occurred in 1944. They are replaying the tapes from NBC radio from that day and it is presented in realtime. It is on channel 4 for those with XM.
One interesting note, when they give the time it is referred to as Eastern War Time.
LakeRuins on June 6, 2007 at 11:16 AM
US troops stormed the beaches of Normandy, a move criticized by many observers as serving only to stoke the cycle of violence that has persisted between Nazi Germany and the so-called “allies.” The deaths of thousands of young Americans resulted in renewed calls for a diplomatic solution to this crisis, with special emphasis on the importance of recognizing the legitimate territorial ambitions of the German people.
morganfrost on June 6, 2007 at 11:18 AM
This is what I wrote on my photoblog with pics when I visited Normandy:
labwrs on June 6, 2007 at 11:18 AM
There’s something about a praying President, leading a praying nation, that just makes things right, in spite of the opposition. God help us 63 years later.
infidel4life on June 6, 2007 at 11:18 AM
Time is 11:23 Eastern War Time, 6 June 1944 and the NBC radio station is playing “When the Saints go Marching In”
LakeRuins on June 6, 2007 at 11:24 AM
We’re making a new batch. I like the new batch.
Jaibones on June 6, 2007 at 11:26 AM
My favorite passage from Ronald Reagan’s June 6, 1984 speech at Pointe du Hoc, France:
Brat on June 6, 2007 at 11:26 AM
Ronald Reagan’s June 6, 1984 speech at Pointe du Hoc, France…
Read it all or listen, with a box of tissues handy:
http://www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan/speeches/speech.asp?spid=20
Brat on June 6, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Remembering them all…but especially my grandfather:
Sgt Arthur Lee Tackett
426th QuarterMaster Co
101st Airborne Div
Roger that smellthecoffee…my grandfather was in one of those gliders that went in first right behind the 325th GIR. I remember him talking about the mess they had to deal with. It’s a testament to the saying, “no battle plan survives first contact”. He said half of the group he was with once the initial dust settled were from the 501st and 502nd PIRs. Junior officers and NCOs saved the day for sure. Once the boats left Britian the Flag officers were just waving in the breeze…along for the ride.
Pilgrim on June 6, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Powerful stuff, Slu.
Jaibones on June 6, 2007 at 11:32 AM
You gotta see this video. It was made by an 8th grader for a school project. Pretty awesome.
Props to Newsbusters for a great set of links too.
BacaDog on June 6, 2007 at 11:40 AM
It’s great that we all remember D-Day, but every year I’m a bit dismayed when we fail to remember the Battle of Midway, the 65th anniversary of which was Monday, but which went largely unnoticed.
In my opinion, Midway stands out from D-Day in two significant ways: It was an exclusively American victory against an enemy whose primary focus was the United States (Germany, on the other hand, was primarily concerned with the USSR), and it was a battle that decisively halted the enemy’s initiative in the Pacific theater (by the time of Overlord, Germany’s momentum had already been broken at Stalingrad). The European theater gets the bulk of the attention, but the Pacific truly was America’s war, and Midway was it’s turning point.
None of this is meant to marginalize the sacrifices and heroism of the men who landed at Normandy, or to diminish the enormity of the operation’s strategic accomplishment. I’d just like to see us remember the heroism and sacrifices of the men at Midway (which were also extraordinary) with similar consistency and reverence.
Blacklake on June 6, 2007 at 11:46 AM
Yup. The really hard thing to read is the failure message he drafted. I thank God he never had to deliver it, but his willingness to take full responsibility is the picture of integrity.
Slublog on June 6, 2007 at 11:47 AM
Lastly, for those who remain behind. I get misty eyed every time I read it.
Let us never forget.
BacaDog on June 6, 2007 at 11:49 AM
Incidentally, I prefer Patton’s pre-invasion pep-talk to FDR’s radio address.
Patton’s Address to the Troops
Blacklake on June 6, 2007 at 11:52 AM
Thanks, BacaDog, now I need ANOTHER box of Kleenex.
Brat on June 6, 2007 at 11:56 AM
Absolutely, Blacklake. Thereafter, the Japanese navy was never again a factor in the Pacific. The Pacific campaign would have been much different without the victory at Midway.
BacaDog on June 6, 2007 at 11:57 AM
Re: Eisenhower’s Order of the Day.
Notice Ike replaced “overthrow” with “elimanation” of Nazi tyranny. No wonder I Like Ike.
And thank you, Blacklake for remembering. My Grandpa was a rear gunner during Midway.
KelliD on June 6, 2007 at 12:02 PM
The Dhimmicrats need to read that spee … *prayer* by FDR, especially the part about “temporary events”.
Tony737 on June 6, 2007 at 12:02 PM
Yes
I correspond with a British Veteran of that war on a daily basis…It seems, that it robbed a lot of people of their will to fight, even for the things that are right.
franksalterego on June 6, 2007 at 12:16 PM
Thank you Bryan. I catch folks off guard every year by asking them of the significance of the date. Same with December 7th. When I was younger virtually everybody could answer correctly. These days it’s blank stares until you tell them, and all too often an eye-roll afterwards, as in “who cares?” The same sort of people who won’t stand at a parade when the Flag passes.
Remember those who believed in something larger than themselves, for they were/are the truly courageous.
Salutes to all who wore/wear the uniform.
Freelancer on June 6, 2007 at 12:33 PM
God Bless you Grand-Dad and Uncle Richard. Rest in Peace.
SilverStar830 on June 6, 2007 at 12:38 PM
This news item from the New York Times was just found in a time capsule:
NY Times: 15 March 1943
SENATE AND HOUSE LEADERS SAY “IT’S TIME TO FACE REALITY”
Senate majority leader Harold Reading (D. Nev) and House Majority Leader Nance Poloso (D. Ca.) today called on President Roosevelt set a time certain for the withdrawal of United States troops from Europe. Complaining that the war against Germany was based on false pretences, Reading stated that “I don’t recall Germany attacking us. There is no evidence that they ever intended to attack us.” Reading conceded “It’s true that Japan attacked, but that was as a result of this President’s foreign policy to restrict their Empire’s access to oil. It was Roosevelt’s fault!”
Poloso agreed, saying that “Roosevelt must face reality: this war is lost. If Russia can’t beat the Germans, if the British can’t and if France and the rest of Europe has fallen, who are we trying to kid? I support the troops, but I do not support this mission! The best way to support our brave fighting men and women is to bring them home!”
When asked about rumours about prison camps for Jewish, Catholic and gypsy citizens of occupied countries, Reading commented that “There is no evidence of any such camps. Red Cross officials have been granted guided tours of all prison camps and we have been assured that the stories of “Death camps” are an exaggeration put out by this war’s supporters.”
The two leaders have agreed to introduce joint motions to Congress next week calling for an immediate redeployment of US troops. According to Poloso, under the resolution, the troops must be out of Europe no later than 5 June 1944.
These Congressional moves have come on the heels of last week’s report in this daily of the Allied capture of a German encoding device code-named Enigma. Unnamed sources have indicated to the Times that the capture of this instrument has allowed the allies to secretly decode German military communications. In deciding to report the story, the Times editorial staff commented that “It was a difficult decision to make, but in the end our assessment was that the Germans must already know we have this tool. It is clearly in the interests of the American people that they know that the tactics of the allies include wiretapping private German communications.”
Congressional debate will begin next week.
Just imagine if today’s Democrats and mainstream media had been operating back then…
Blaise on June 6, 2007 at 12:45 PM
Excellent point! Don’t forget the US Navy was able to ambush the Japanese fleet because the US Navy broke some of the Japanese naval codes giving the US Navy the element of surprise. Too bad the media today hasn’t learned this lesson.
VikingGoneWild on June 6, 2007 at 12:51 PM
Blaise you are so right!
God bless all of our armed forces past and present.
robo on June 6, 2007 at 1:37 PM
Heh. Good writing Blaise.
The difference is if the media had published the Enigma story in 1943, those who published it would have been tarred, feathered, burned at the stake and then prosecuted for treason. What’s wrong with us now?
BacaDog on June 6, 2007 at 1:39 PM
Oh, someone mentioned it earlier, but XM channel 4 is broadcasting the NBC news feed of June 6, 1944. It’s worth a listen.
It struck me that my grandma and grandpa could have been listening to that very broadcast wondering if one of their 4 sons was at that moment storming the beaches of Normandy. I’m sure, like most folks then, they were praying for their sons and daughters. And for our country too.
BacaDog on June 6, 2007 at 1:47 PM
“The blood of heroes never dies.”
So went the poem written by Moina Michael in 1915, and it referred to Flander’s Fields of WWII.
But the blood of heroes was still flowing 63 years ago today at Omaha and Utah beaches. As it did at Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Anzio, Saipan, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and dozens more places. I’m so very glad that these men and women, at last, got their memorial.
The blood of heroes STILL FLOWS in the veins of those veterans, but only God know for how much longer as these heroes pass on.
The blood of heroes flows in the veins of those who fought at the Chosin Reservoir, against overwhelming odds and near certain defeat, and at Hill 931, also known as Heartbreak Ridge. And for those who fought at Hue, Idrang Valley and at Khe Sanh, and in a thousand other places whose names we can’t pronounce or find on a map.
And the blood of heroes is flowing today in the veins of our men and women in far off Anbar; at Fallujah, Ramadi, and the souks of Baghdad.
This day is the anniversary of a world changing event in human history. It is fitting that we remember them, those that lived and those that died; on that battlefield, in the hedgerows, and on all the others.
I haven’t been to the Wall, that long, bent wall of black stone. It’s too painful — I have friend’s names on the wall. And it fills me with anger to know that members of the Democratic Party fully intend to betray our men and woman fighting in Iraq today in the same way the Democrats did to my generation in Vietnam.
God bless our surviving veterans of WWII. This is their day. And may the memory of those who fell 63 years ago today be eternal and blessed.
georgej on June 6, 2007 at 2:02 PM
Haha, good work there Blaise. They love to claim defeat and/or give away our national secrets.
How about these “headlines” from the “New Athens Times”:
“Sparta sends blocking force to the Hot Gates in order to slow Persian advance”
“Greek City States to pool resources, launch 1,000 ships, invade Troy”
“Greek Army to feign retreat, build wooden horse full of troops”
Or from “The New Rome Times”:
“Roman Legions to invade Britannia, defeat inevitable”
“Hadrian builds wall, admits defeat”
“Roman 9th Legion loses battle to Queen Boudica, who demands withdrawl of occupation forces”
Tony737 on June 6, 2007 at 2:10 PM
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
Lt. Col. John McCrae
Sometimes I worry that they’re not sleeping. Sometimes I wonder if they’re not spinning in their graves.
Blaise on June 6, 2007 at 2:14 PM
No, they’re not spinning, Blaise. They’re crying.
BacaDog on June 6, 2007 at 3:19 PM
One of the best things ever in my life was going to Normandy with my grandfather who survived it. I called him again today to thank him and let him know how much I appreciate what he and his comrades did. You know what he said? “Well, it had to be done so we just did it.” As these great men pass on we are truly losing a national treasure.
Centurion68 on June 6, 2007 at 3:26 PM
For that matter, Overlord was largely as successful as it was due to a massive allied disinformation campaign. Operation Fortitude (with a bunch of sub-operations rolled under the mantle) had the Germans so thoroughly convinced the Allies would be landing in Calais that, even hours after the actual landings had begun in Normandy, German command refused to believe it could be anything but a diversion for the Calais operation.
If things were then like they are today, I expect ABC or the New York Times would have broken the news of Fortitude’s “questionable” methods in mid-May. (On the bright side, though, we’d be also hearing much more about Stalin’s glorious achievements on the eastern front.)
Blacklake on June 6, 2007 at 3:49 PM
May they stand tall in eternity with George Washington and Stonewall Jackson as patriots.
deo vindice
And He did for their sacrifice….
Tim Burton on June 6, 2007 at 5:13 PM
My great uncle was there and died, 40 years later, with a bullet still in his neck. Now, THAT is why they are the greatest generation…tough old birds w/tough families. None of this whining and moaning every time someone gets their little feelings hurt.
Thank you and RIP Uncle Eb!
hollygolightly on June 6, 2007 at 6:13 PM
BacaDog on June 6, 2007 at 11:40 AM
good video
Drtuddle on June 6, 2007 at 6:36 PM
So for THESE HEROES, we sit silent during our own RECONQUISTA?
THAT’S GRATITUDE.
seejanemom on June 6, 2007 at 6:42 PM
*salutes*
Yakko77 on June 6, 2007 at 7:18 PM
why is this post so far down the page… it should be at the top…
thank you to all who served… your sacrifice is rememebered…
Kaptain Amerika on June 6, 2007 at 7:37 PM
In February my neighbor growing up, who was aboard one of our cruisers on D-Day, passed away.
I miss hearing his sea stories.
Farewell and Following Seas, Frank.
Mooseman
Mooseman on June 6, 2007 at 8:28 PM
My late Uncle George waded ashore at Normandy. Later, severely wounded during the Battle of the Bulge.
All I can say is what I always say on days like this…
May God Bless America.
Zorro on June 6, 2007 at 9:23 PM
May God bless my dear Father, 81 years young, who fought in Europe after D-Day.
*Salute*
infidel4life on June 6, 2007 at 9:42 PM
May God bless all warriors who fight for freedom past and present. D-Day for our present war was 07 OCT 2001. It’s up to us to make what we will out of the war, no matter how many borders have to be crossed. We either win or we lose through the apathy of the average citizen and truthful representation in Congress.
As for 06 JUN 44 rememberance, my thoughts are here if anyone cares to read.
American_Jihadist on June 6, 2007 at 11:18 PM
Brat on June 6, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Thanks for putting FDR’s prayer up there. Amazing. We have to fight to keep the Pledge of Allegiance intact.
Spot on, Blacklake. In our day, the ACLU would be funding a campaign to have him impeached for violating the “separation of church and state.” “Damn the torpedoes–litigation ahead!” would have been their rallying cry. And, needless to say, in our day, FDR’s speech would have begun a little differently.
smellthecoffee on June 7, 2007 at 1:20 AM
Yesterday on D-Day+63years I was working with a Japanese crew of 5 near the Japanese Internment Camp, Topaz Camp outside of Delta, Utah. The sacrafice was great, but worth it.
thomashton on June 7, 2007 at 9:05 AM
- The Cat
MirCat on June 7, 2007 at 10:36 AM
Brat on June 6, 2007 at 10:18 AM
Brat, I had never read that before. That is so powerful. It will go into my archive. Thanks for that contribution.
Maxx on June 7, 2007 at 12:55 PM