June 6, 1944...

[Marcus78]

In under an hour it will mark the anniversary of the beginning of Operation Neptune, the largest single military invasion in the history of war. By the end of the day, the Allied Forces sustained over 10,000 casualties, with more than 2,500 killed, and an untold/undetermined number of German soldiers killed or wounded.

I posted something similar last year, and I hope to remember to do so every year! This year the youngest legally-enlisted soldier during that invastion would be 86 years old, assuming they were 18 in 1944. There are some that are a few years younger, (many lied about their age and enlisted in their early/mid teens) but the point is this generation, truly the greatest generation, won't be around much longer. They'll take with them some of the most important lessons our species has learned, and hopefully such lessons will never be forgotten. So once again, thank you for all who served, and especially for those who fought on what I can only imagine was the most-terrifying day a soldier could possibly imagine...



















I don't know if you can make out the inscription on the memorial wall, but it reads in full:

"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...I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle."

[Mokoa]

Yes, indeed. Do not forget!

Thank you, Marcus.

[Jed Clampett]

Thank you Marcus. I lost my dad about a year ago, he served from 1941 until 1965, and was a veteran of WW II, Korea, and Vietnam. Their generation was truly great! And thanks to all who have served.

[greenhorn1960]

Originally Posted by Jed Clampett

Thank you Marcus. I lost my dad about a year ago, he served from 1941 until 1965, and was a veteran of WW II, Korea, and Vietnam. Their generation was truly great! And thanks to all who have served.

My Grandfather was one of those soldiers who landed on that beach 1944. And he never forgot the anniversary of D-Day for the rest of his (shortened) life. And nor shall I.

It is good to see that it is remembered, and NOT forgotten, by the fine members on this board.

GH'60

[Dirty Dan]

My dad was there. He wasn't in the initial assault and came ashore later in the day. He never talked about it. I asked him about it a couple of times over the years and his most vivid memory was of seeing so many dead bodies.

I cannot imagine the courage of those who hit the beach in the initial assault. I think it was well potrayed in Saving Private Ryan. That first scene should be mandatory viewing in every high and college American history class.

We must never forget those who sacrificed for this great nation.

[pallmallblue747]

Thank you for posting this. As a veteran myself, being reminded of the sacrifices made by those who came before always has an affect on me.

[Guest061918]

Thank You Marcus for posting this. We should never forget the sacrifices that those incredible courageous soldiers did on June 6th and beyond. I remember living in the DC area and going to Arlington National Cemetary. Seeing rows upon rows upon rows upon even more rows of soldier's graves from WWII leaves a deep impression on anyone. Iwo Jima memorial is also very close to Arlington National cemetary and that is another landmark that should make anyone take a step back and realize what those soldiers did for us to continue to have freedom to this very day.

To those that call it "The Greatest Generation" does not do quite enough. This is one of those instances where words just can never do it justice.

We will always remember what you did for US!!!

[JMcB]

IIRC, Operation Neptune was for the channel crossing, and for the landing/invasion it was called Overlord. I could be wrong, and probably am, but am curious, and want to know which term should be used when referring to the invasion?

[Marcus78]

JMcB, there is always a ton of confusion on this point. Even I get them mixed-up/confused, and I've studied WW2 with a passion since I was a young boy. So I may be wrong, but this is what I recall.

Operation Neptune was the assault/landing phase of Operation Overlord. Basically, when the doors on the landing craft started going down, and soldiers boots reached the beach. Neptune was the first, and bloodiest, phase which helped with the establishment of a foothold in Normandy by utilizing the 12,000+ planes dropping troops and around 8,000+ watercraft/ships delivering soldiers, and firepower, on the beaches. Officially Neptune was under the umbrella of Overlord, the latter of which ended in August (I think, someone needs to fact-check me on that though) when we finally got across the Seine river.

In any event, they all deserve credit for their actions on that day. Even if someone wasn't fighting on a sandy beach, or dropping deep behind enemy lines, they were depending upon tens of thousands of supporting men, and women, to help get the job done. It's sad to say, but I often question if the U.S. today (especially my lazy, self-entitled, generation!) could do what was necessary to win a fight/war as large and demanding as WW2. That is why they truly were the Greatest Generation.

[guest092513]

Originally Posted by JMcB

IIRC, Operation Neptune was for the channel crossing, and for the landing/invasion it was called Overlord. I could be wrong, and probably am, but am curious, and want to know which term should be used when referring to the invasion?

The Allied Invasion of France, land, air, and sea, was code named Overlord.

[Guest061918]

Marcus that is an excellent point and sometimes I ask myself that ame question. Could today's generation do what was necessary to stop the momentum of an invading and massive army and then to turn the tide in our favor. I am not sure.