Please take a moment to remember the sacrifice that was made on this day... If you know a vet .... shake their hand and say "THANK YOU"... believe me, they appreciate it!!!
D-day Remembered
- Thread starter BigStarCasinoS
- Start date
D-day
Agree.DonQuixote said:A battle won by the pure courage of the foot soldier...
Those were real heros.
Bad D Day planning?
But, while I have read LOTS about bad planning in WWII (and other wars), I have never heard about a serious failure of high command in this specific instance.
Got any books to recommend?
I certainly endorse the accolades to the soldiers, airmen and sailors.DonQuixote said:One of the most significant battles in the history of the West.
A battle won by the pure courage of the foot soldier, but
totally lacking in planning and execution by the generals.
Those were real heros.
But, while I have read LOTS about bad planning in WWII (and other wars), I have never heard about a serious failure of high command in this specific instance.
Got any books to recommend?
The planning for that invasion was immense. They really used clever deception as well with the fake out for Calais. Pattons so called Army group in the Wash area, cardboard tanks and plenty of fake radio chatter.
There was a major lockdown of the men in the south leading up to the last week. Dad said no one could write letters to loved ones ( security) , no leave, no going into town. Dad was a three striper, and as I said in another post awhile ago the British at least had 100% condidence in their overall success. There has been a lot of negative things written about B.L.Montgomery since the war but at the time he was held in the highest regard by the average soldier and they would follow his orders anywhere.
There may have been localized problems but I marvel at what they accomplished logistically without the aid of GPS, computers, smart bombs, spy satellites etc. When the shit hit the fan that morning it was the individual rifleman who got them through the day.
There was a major lockdown of the men in the south leading up to the last week. Dad said no one could write letters to loved ones ( security) , no leave, no going into town. Dad was a three striper, and as I said in another post awhile ago the British at least had 100% condidence in their overall success. There has been a lot of negative things written about B.L.Montgomery since the war but at the time he was held in the highest regard by the average soldier and they would follow his orders anywhere.
There may have been localized problems but I marvel at what they accomplished logistically without the aid of GPS, computers, smart bombs, spy satellites etc. When the shit hit the fan that morning it was the individual rifleman who got them through the day.
Sources? Books?
The paratroopers were badly scattered, but I dont know if high command can be blamed (wind, weather, pilot error and the German's DID fight back)
Come on old chap, quote your sources.
True 'Bloody Omaha' was a horror, but Utah was a walkover, the Canadians at Juno penetrated further than any other troops that day. Gold & Sword had great success. Total casualties were less than expected.DonQuixote said:Yes, bad planning and execution. The German bunkers
atop the ridges guarding Normandy were to be taken out
by naval gunfire and air corps bombers. The fortifications
were barely touched. The invading troops were caught
in a no-man's-land when they hit the beaches of Omaha
etc. Their units were decimated by German machinegun
fire. The troops that survived reformed themselves into
combat units, frequently commanded by junior NCOs
and Officers. They continued their push through the
German positions. They are the true heroes.
And Hitler though he was dealing with a bunch of mix-breed,
non-Aryian losers.
The paratroopers were badly scattered, but I dont know if high command can be blamed (wind, weather, pilot error and the German's DID fight back)
Come on old chap, quote your sources.
I often ask myself how I'd feel if I was asked to volunteer to run onto a beach while dodging bullets and other dangers to help liberate a nation from an aggressor
it takes a special quality to do that
it takes a special quality to do that
thank you for remembering...
while i missed d-day landing by 2 months, it was my priviledge and honor to serve as an infantry scout in the U.S. 104th infantry division attached initially to the first canadian army in the belgian-holland area....i did do some digging for mines in clearing omaha beach before going into combat in belgium...
it is nice that you young folks respect what we accomplished....it is my prayer that my grandchildren's generation will someday receive the same remembrance and respect for the war you are engaged in today and that your war's outcome will be the same as ours was.....victory!!!!
keybitz
while i missed d-day landing by 2 months, it was my priviledge and honor to serve as an infantry scout in the U.S. 104th infantry division attached initially to the first canadian army in the belgian-holland area....i did do some digging for mines in clearing omaha beach before going into combat in belgium...
it is nice that you young folks respect what we accomplished....it is my prayer that my grandchildren's generation will someday receive the same remembrance and respect for the war you are engaged in today and that your war's outcome will be the same as ours was.....victory!!!!
keybitz
You are soooo welcome!
< Young long haired backpacker is standing on a beach looking up a tall cliffs.
He cell phones gramps back in Canada.
" Hi Bobby, are you have a wild time Paris?"
"Gramps, I am at Dieppe. I just called to say thanks".
You probably never saw this TV add (Bell Canada).keybitz said:while i missed d-day landing by 2 months, it was my priviledge and honor to serve as an infantry scout in the U.S. 104th infantry division attached initially to the first canadian army in the belgian-holland area....i did do some digging for mines in clearing omaha beach before going into combat in belgium...
it is nice that you young folks respect what we accomplished....it is my prayer that my grandchildren's generation will someday receive the same remembrance and respect for the war you are engaged in today and that your war's outcome will be the same as ours was.....victory!!!!
keybitz
< Young long haired backpacker is standing on a beach looking up a tall cliffs.
He cell phones gramps back in Canada.
" Hi Bobby, are you have a wild time Paris?"
"Gramps, I am at Dieppe. I just called to say thanks".
Good for you sir. Thanks.keybitz said:while i missed d-day landing by 2 months, it was my priviledge and honor to serve as an infantry scout in the U.S. 104th infantry division attached initially to the first canadian army in the belgian-holland area....i did do some digging for mines in clearing omaha beach before going into combat in belgium...
it is nice that you young folks respect what we accomplished....it is my prayer that my grandchildren's generation will someday receive the same remembrance and respect for the war you are engaged in today and that your war's outcome will be the same as ours was.....victory!!!!
keybitz
I left the office earlier today than normal and just got back from the cemetery where my Dad and Mom are. I always stop in to say thanks to Dad. There were so many of them at one time and so few now. Like the fellow who posted about the old boy from the Italian Army and how he lost friends, on the limited times Dad would talk about combat he always got misty eyed when he remembered someone that got hit. He made it through with only superfical shrapnel wounds but far too many didn't.
keybitz said:while i missed d-day landing by 2 months, it was my priviledge and honor to serve as an infantry scout in the U.S. 104th infantry division attached initially to the first canadian army in the belgian-holland area....i did do some digging for mines in clearing omaha beach before going into combat in belgium...
it is nice that you young folks respect what we accomplished....it is my prayer that my grandchildren's generation will someday receive the same remembrance and respect for the war you are engaged in today and that your war's outcome will be the same as ours was.....victory!!!!
keybitz
Thank you!!
hindsight is always 20/20DonQuixote said:...but totally lacking in planning and execution by the generals.
