Musings of a Technonerd

Sixy three years ago today, thousands of US, British, Free French, Astrailian, and soldiers of other nationalities stormed ashore in what was then the world's largest amphibious invasion. It was the beginning of what came to be known as D-Day. It began the final assault on Fortress Europe. Nazi Germany was somewhat unprepared. Resistance was inconsistent. Reserve tank squadrons were held back because the Germans weren't quite sure where the main attack was. Only two German fighters made it into the sky that day. Many of the plane and pilots in the area had been sent to the Russian front to shore up operational losses in that theater. This hesitation proved flawed and fatal. On some beaches, the allies waded ashore to little resistance and quickly gained the upper hand. On others, Omaha being a prime example, the allied soldiers weathered a blistering storm of resistance, suffering numerous casualties, being on the brink of getting pushed back into the sea before heroic actions by citizen soldiers breached the defenses. Then, the German occupiers started their long retreat back to the heart of the now crumbling Nazi empire.

Since this isn't a "hallmark" year (i.e. 50th, 60th, etc.) there isn't much being said about it. There are some observances taking place. But they're not as numerous as they once were. Part of the reason is that many of the veterans of that day are now in their eighties and beyond. Many of them aren't in the best of health anymore and can't make it to events. Only recently have many of the veterans of that day begun talking about it. Advancing years, a renewed interest in the period, and the cushion of time has enabled some of these veterans to talk about their experiences. Some still won't, having been witness to horrific scenes we wouldn't even be able to have nightmares about.

You probably don't know any of them. I've had the pleasure to meet some of them through my interest of aviation, and WW2 history and volunteer work at an aircraft museum devoted to WW2 aircraft. Many of the proud vets that I worked with then have "gone west" since the museum folded 10 years ago. But remember them in your thoughts, prayers and meditations please.

"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....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." General Dwight D. Eisenhower D-Day order on June 6, 1944.

"There is one great thing that you men will all be able to say after this war is over and you are home once again. You may be thankful that twenty years from now when you are sitting by the fireplace with your grandson on your knee and he asks you what you did in the great World War II, you WON'T have to cough, shift him to the other knee and say, Well, your Granddaddy shoveled shit in Louisiana.

No, Sir, you can look him straight in the eye and say, Son, your Granddaddy rode with the Great Third Army and a Son-of-a-Goddamned-Bitch named Georgie Patton!" General George S. Patton, Jr Speech delivered to Patton's troops on June 5, 1944