World War II Today June 6th, 1944… 70 years ago today, the Allied invasion of Normandy, Operation Overlord, is underway. It is arguably the most ambitious and complex amphibious assault that's ever been planned, committed to, and carried out in human history. The primary goal – gain a foothold in Nazi-occupied France in order to expedite a full-scale liberation of Europe, and to bring an end to the Third Reich by taking the fight all the way to Germany. I do not have the words to describe my admiration for the bravery and sacrifice of the men who ran towards bullets, artillery shells, and certain death. The fighting to secure the beachheads was bloody and terrifying to all those who found themselves on the opposing end of the German defenses. American. British. Canadian. French. Polish. Whoever they were and whichever country they came from didn’t matter - they did what had to be done to ensure victory over evil. As time marches on, the surviving veterans of WW II are passing away, leaving us only news reels and history books to reference what they did. But each one of them is unique. Each one has an important story to tell. If you know any WW II vets, talk to them and hear their stories. These men and women are of a generation unlike any in the history of the world, and they deserve our respect and admiration. “Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a 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, 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." -- Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower
Funny, I just watched The Monuments Men today! And this was in it! I have a multitude of lost family in Europe. If any of them where in this, I salute you, And the men who died in this invasion.
Oddly enough, the TALOS Armor Iron Man Suit prototype is being exhibited today. Named TALOS in honor of the Greek Guard of Crete. And this will have a version of Mimetic polyalloy, metal that shifts from liquid to solid. U.S. Military 'Iron Man' Suit Prototype TALOS Debuts in Weeks [Video] | HASHOVERS ..Press Links Point Du Hoc be DAMNED! RIP
I salute all the brave men who stormed ashore that day seven decades ago, from the British and Canadian beaches to Utah and Bloody Omaha beach. Bonus : Actor James Doohan ( best known as Scotty from Star trek) was part of the invasion force and was wounded multiple times. I would watch The Longest Day over Saving Private Ryan.
My mom's dad served in the Normandy Landings as well. I can't even begin to imagine what those guys were feeling as the landing craft landed on those five beach-heads under all that fire from the Nazis. It must have been intense, well...that may not be the right word to describe the landings, but still, you get the idea. May that day never be forgotten in history. Those men were real American Heroes. Never forget.
went to the WWII museum in new orleans today and got to meet a few D-Day vets. it's crazy what these guys went through and did, the things they saw.
According to legend (and Transformers actor Mark Ryan), the finger he lost on the beaches there (but that more than likely saved his life) prevented him from pursuing a career as an engineer when he returned home, and instead he went into broadcasting, and then into show business. His interest in engineering, to say nothing of his time among scottish soldiers during his time overseas, played heavily into him assuming his most famous role...
