D-DAY 06/06/1944 | 75 Year Anniversary

D-DAY 06/06/1944 | 75 year anniversary 

The attack began when Allied planes and warships bombarded German positions along the coastline. This was to damage the defences making it easier for the troops to get ashore. At the same time, planes and gliders dropped tens of thousands of allied soldiers behind the German defences. They took control of important roads and bridges. This made it harder for the German army to rush extra men towards areas where the troops were landing. Thousands of ships had set out from the south coast of England to help. In all, over 6,000 vessels joined the attack. They were supported by over 11,000 planes. The naval force crossed the English channel overnight. At 6.30am on 6 June, troops started to land on the beaches of Normandy in France. By the end of D-Day, the Allies had put 156,000 troops ashore. Portsmouth’s D-Day Museum says an estimated 2,500 Allied troops died on the day of the invasion. — Source: BBC

* Europe is in debt to the millions of soldiers from Asia, Africa and the Caribbean who fought alongside Britain, France and other European nations as part of their ‘empires’ in WWI and WWII. 

French Bulldog argues bedtime

Operation Overlord - 6th June 1944

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them

Cherry Blossoms (by Scotty Perkins)

Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force:

You are about to embark upon the 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 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 blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

Dwight D Eisenhower, message to Allied troops prior to the invasion of Normandy, June 6th 1944. 

74th anniversary, never forget.

a light to match the dark