Watch dramatic original footage of the Allied D-Day invasion of northern France that heralded the end of the Second World War in this narrated news reel from 1944. On June 7 1944, the day after 150,000 Allied troops came ashore along the French coastline, The Daily Telegraph declared the D-Day landings to be the greatest invasion of all time. According to the front page article, 4,000 ships were taken across the Channel, 10,000 tons of bombs were exploded and 10,000 men battled to sweep away mines from the surrounding waters. After the invasion, the returning pilots declared the beaches [were] completely in our hands. The Telegraphs coverage features a report from the newspapers special correspondent Cornelius Ryan, who flew from a US Air Force base close by to catch a glimpse of the action. I was the last correspondent to fly over the Allied beachhead this evening, he said. We took off from this base to bomb gun emplacements on the French coast. Unlike the earlier missions, we had excellent visibility and could see up and down the Channel for many miles. After we had left the coast I suddenly became aware of hundreds of aircraft which thundered over us forming the area fighter cover. The whole sky as far as one could see in any direction was just one mass of aircraft of every type. Below us, their wings glinting in the sunlight, I could see fighters only a few feet down from the water returning to England. He went on: Down below, the Channel looked cold and choppy. Away to the west I saw a sight I shall never forget. Hundreds of craft of every kind were moving towards France. From our height they were only distinguishable by the white wash which churned from their sterns. They looked as if they were strung together by some invisible chain. Away on the horizon another fleet of vessels moved forward. They were all headed the same way -- towards the Allied beachhead. Another report tells the story of the American four-engine bombers, which were described as the greatest air armada of the war. [The American force] was crossing the East Coast for two hours. Bombers and fighters went out simultaneously in a dozen streams, it said. One observer said it was like all the heavy day and night attacks of the past few weeks in one. Both R. A. F and American forces were showing their red, green and white navigation lights. The roar of their engines brought people from their beds. Finally, the late news column on the front page informs readers that the French train service is suspended. Paris radio says that train service, except for suburban trains, is suspended between St. Nazaire and Mont Parnasse stations, it reported. Sheepdogs - Fidelis et Fortis
Posted on: Fri, 06 Jun 2014 20:00:00 +0000