D-Day A ‘great and noble undertaking’
Published 12:02 am Sunday, June 5, 2011
Monday will mark the 67th anniversary of the Day of Days. Allied forces stormed the beaches of Northern France in the greatest offensive ever seen. Casualties were massive. But allied forces took the beaches and, over the next year, drove back Adolph Hitler’s Nazi war machine. The European Theater of Operations came to a close in May 1945, although the whole war did not end until August with the unconditional Japanese surrender.
On the eve of the great invasion of France, Supreme Allied Commander Dwight David Eisenhower delivered an address to the 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 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.
“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 and devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!
“Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that about 1,000 U.S. World War II veterans die each day. We honor the heroes of that war and refer to those who came out of it as “The Greatest Generation.” Those who remain are treated as royalty. Their sacrifices are that of legend.
Sixty-seven years have passed since that memorable invasion. Let us not forget it.