RE: What does the Normandy invasion anniversary (June 6) mean to us Brats? What are some of the amazing things about the Normandy invasion that relates to us Brats? *Had the Normandy invasion NOT been successful, there is a good reason believe some of us would not be here today. Because this would have changed/prolonged the outcome of World War II which would have impacted the lives of many of our parents/grandparents and others. *This invasion was part of Operation Overlord, which would involve placing two million Allied military personnel in France. By July 4, 1944, half that number had landed in Normandy. *The Germans were not prepared for the Normandy invasion. They thought it would come at the Pas-de-Calais. Although they were not prepared, they kept the Allies bottled up for two months. *The Allies were handicapped by the terrain. Nothing had prepared them for the hedge grove country of Normandy. *The Germans were hindered by the weather. By this time in the war, they did not have long-range forecasting and thought the rainy, cold weather would continue. The Allies had long-range weather forecasting ability, and saw a break in the weather. This influenced Eisenhower’s decision to proceed with the invasion. *This was the largest amphibious operation the world had ever seen. These statistics are amazing even today: -Approximately 355,000 military personnel involved. (190,000 sailors, 165,000 soldiers). -6,939 naval vessels, including: -1,213 warships, 4,126 transport vessels, 736 auxiliary craft, and 864 merchant ships. -12,000 aircraft involved. -8 nations participating: United Kingdom, U.S., Canada, Free French Forces, Free Polish Forces, Australia, Free Belgian Forces, Free Czechoslovakia Forces, Free Norway Forces, Free Greek Forces, Free Netherlands Forces, and New Zealand. *This was the most successful invasion using the English channel in eight centuries. *This was the largest airborne operation at the time. Approximately 35,000 paratroopers in three airborne divisions: British 6th Airborne, U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne. *German Field Marshall Rommel told his officers while visiting the beaches before D-Day that for everyone involved in the invasion and repelling it, it would be the longest day. Author Cornelius Ryan used Rommel’s quote to be the title of his book, “The Longest Day.” The quote is also used in the movie, “The Longest Day.” *Most of the objectives the Allies wanted taken on D-Day were not taken. Some would take weeks. *Leave it to a German officer, Major Werner Pluskat, who in a moment of excitement when he looked out his artillery bunker that morning on Omaha Beach, told a superior officer that, “five thousand ships are coming straight toward me!” He actually underestimated the number of ships involved. *The Allied code names for the beaches for the landings: Gold, Sword, Juno, Omaha and Utah – are the names the French call those beaches today. *German Field Marshall Rommel was seriously injured on June 17, 1944 when his staff car was strafed by Allied aircraft near a Normandy village called: Montgomery – the name of the British commander for the Normandy invasion! *During the Normandy invasion, Hitler refused to release a major German Army near the Pas-de-Calais and German armor in other parts of France because he believed the main invasion would be at the Pas-de-Calais. Consequently German Field Marshalls Rommel and Von Runstedt became frustrated because they were limited to how they could respond to the Normandy invasion. *The overall German commander, Field Marshall Von Rundstedt fully understood after three weeks what the invasion of Normandy met for Germany. He got cashiered on June 29, 1944 when he yelled at his superiors, “Make peace, you idiots!” Field Marshall Rommel also became totally disillusioned with Hitler and urged him to make peace. When Hitler refused, Rommel gave tacit support for an attempt on Hitler’s life on July 20, 1944. Because of his role in this, Rommel was forced to commit suicide in October 1944. *Were you aware the U.S. now OWNS a part of Normandy and this is one of a few place in the world the U.S. flag flies alone and not with a host nation flag? This is a parcel of land (173 acres or 70 hectares) in Normandy at Colleville-sur-Mer . You see this was a gift of the government of France to the U.S. for helping to liberate France from the Germans. On this parcel of land at are the remains of 9,836 U.S. service members who died during the Normandy campaign in the Summer of 1944. Many Americans have actually seen this cemetery if they’ve watched the movie, “Saving Private Ryan.” Have a terrific day! Joe/OVERSEAS BRATS
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:10:44 +0000
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