70 years ago today

Today marks the 70^th anniversary of the Allied landings on the beaches of Normandy, France. This was the start of the liberation of Europe from the Nazi’s and the final destruction of one of the most evil political systems in history.

The first troops to land were allied paratroops, touching down at 0000 hours on June 6^th. At 0630 hours, the main landing forces hit the beaches and met heavy resistance. The worst resistance was at Omaha Beach, and it was so bad that the allied commanders considered pulling the troops off. However, the American forces were able to finally breach the defenses, and along with the other allied forces, gained a foothold that eventually led to the defeat of Nazi Germany. General Dwight David Eisenhower, the Supreme Allied commander released this statement to the allied forces just before the invasion.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEyCjN9riiY’]

The success of the invasion was not a sure thing. The weather was bad, the seas were rough and most of the troops were not experienced. There was a very good chance of the invasion failing and Eisenhower having to pull the surviving forces off the beaches. The allied airborne forces would have been wiped out with no way to get back to England or be relieved. General Eisenhower, fully aware of this possiblity, prepared a statement just before the landings assuming full responsibility for decisions to go and to withdraw.

“Our landings have failed and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone.”

40 years later, at Point-du-Hoc, President Ronald Reagan gave a speech honoring the men who liberated France.

[youtuber youtube=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEIqdcHbc8I’]

Take a moment today and reflect on why those men and women are called “The Greatest Generation.” Those men are fading away into the mists of time, and to soon, will be gone.

Thatisall

~The Angry Webmaster~

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