6th of June 1944

Sergio Natali · 06-06-2016, 10:10 AM

72 years ago today, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which, “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Continental Europe. The cost in lives on D-Day was high. More than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded, but their sacrifice allowed more than 100,000 Soldiers to begin the slow, hard slog across Europe, to defeat Adolf Hitler’s troops.

I think it's a good thing to remember today all the people who came across the ocean to fight for a better World.

mrerick · 06-06-2016, 11:53 AM

I'm reading an excellent book drawn from the British war diaries on the Normandy invasion.

Normandy 1944 The Road to Victory

This book's detail discusses not only the landings, but also the weeks that followed as the Allies consolidated, battled German tank corps and infantry and then fought their way to Paris.

Today, we tend to forget that none of this was a "sure thing" in 1944, and that there was always the very real possibility of Rommel and von Rundstadt driving the Allies back into the sea like a second Dunkirk.

Our fathers and grandfathers took this land one hill and valley, one bridge and river, one house and town at a time.

They make any mention of "great" and "greatest" about today's world seem trivial in comparison.

Marc

Sergio Natali · 06-06-2016, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrerick

I'm reading an excellent book drawn from the British war diaries on the Normandy invasion.

Normandy 1944 The Road to Victory

This book's detail discusses not only the landings, but also the weeks that followed as the Allies consolidated, battled German tank corps and infantry and then fought their way to Paris.

Today, we tend to forget that none of this was a "sure thing" in 1944, and that there was always the very real possibility of Rommel and von Rundstadt driving the Allies back into the sea like a second Dunkirk.

Our fathers and grandfathers took this land one hill and valley, one bridge and river, one house and town at a time.

They make any mention of "great" and "greatest" about today's world seem trivial in comparison.

Marc

I agree 100%
I remember that when I was a child on tv they used to show WWII videos and films quite often, but I'm sure that if now we ask a teenager some questions about WWII we'd probably receive just puzzled looks...

Eugen · 06-06-2016, 02:37 PM

A friend sent me this description of the scale of the operation, which is almost incomprehensible:

kurusu · 06-06-2016, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eugen

A friend sent me this description of the scale of the operation, which is almost incomprehensible:

Saved it. Thanks!

ithacaartist · 06-06-2016, 06:54 PM

Also my mom's 22nd birthday. My brother was busy being born while Pearl Harbor was attacked.

06-06-2016, 10:10 AM	#1
Sergio Natali User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Somewhere in Northern Italy Posts: 2,646 Thanks: 1,087 Thanked 1,783 Times in 1,007 Posts	6th of June 1944 72 years ago today, more than 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline, to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which, “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end, the Allies gained a foot-hold in Continental Europe. The cost in lives on D-Day was high. More than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded, but their sacrifice allowed more than 100,000 Soldiers to begin the slow, hard slog across Europe, to defeat Adolf Hitler’s troops. I think it's a good thing to remember today all the people who came across the ocean to fight for a better World. Attached Thumbnails __________________ "Originality can't be restored and should be at the top of any collector's priority list.

06-06-2016, 11:53 AM	#2
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,920 Thanks: 1,377 Thanked 3,135 Times in 1,518 Posts	I'm reading an excellent book drawn from the British war diaries on the Normandy invasion. Normandy 1944 The Road to Victory This book's detail discusses not only the landings, but also the weeks that followed as the Allies consolidated, battled German tank corps and infantry and then fought their way to Paris. Today, we tend to forget that none of this was a "sure thing" in 1944, and that there was always the very real possibility of Rommel and von Rundstadt driving the Allies back into the sea like a second Dunkirk. Our fathers and grandfathers took this land one hill and valley, one bridge and river, one house and town at a time. They make any mention of "great" and "greatest" about today's world seem trivial in comparison. Marc __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

06-06-2016, 02:37 PM	#4
Eugen User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Newburgh,IN Posts: 794 Thanks: 403 Thanked 635 Times in 337 Posts	A friend sent me this description of the scale of the operation, which is almost incomprehensible: Attached Thumbnails __________________ “God created war so that Americans would learn geography.” ― Mark Twain

06-06-2016, 06:54 PM	#6
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,369 Thanks: 7,433 Thanked 2,611 Times in 1,378 Posts	Also my mom's 22nd birthday. My brother was busy being born while Pearl Harbor was attacked. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894