June 6th, 1944. Does it have any significance to you? It certainly did for the 156,000 Allied troops who landed on the beaches of Normandy 73 years ago today. For a breakdown of how many men were killed and wounded on both sides, here is an official link. This was the pivotal battle of WWII, along with the defense of Stalingrad. More than a half million men on both sides became casualties during the Normandy campaign.
http://www.ddaymuseum.co.uk/d-day/d-day-and-the-battle-of-normandy-your-questions-answered
I've been reading about this very subject, from the planning to the execution of the plan. What sticks out in my mind, is the untold numbers of lost men due to mistakes. Landing craft disgorging men too far off shore, glider plane piolets dropping paratroopers out at sea and other areas far off the mark of where the drop was supposed to be. I realize that shit happens during the fog of war. However, to have died in those types of mishaps seems such a waste. It was noted in the publication I'm reading that the Brits did a better job getting their men to where they were supposed to be. Was that always the case, probably not.
In any event, today should be a day to remember.
The date of June 6th is certainly a somber reminder of the cost of maintaining and preserving freedoms. I can't help but recall the first half-hour of 'Saving Private Ryan' and the price paid in human lives on this day, alone. May all of them forever R.I.P.
slatten49 wrote:
The date of June 6th is certainly a somber reminder of the cost of maintaining and preserving freedoms. I can't help but recall the first half-hour of 'Saving Private Ryan' and the price paid in human lives on this day, alone. May all of them forever R.I.P.
I'll certainly pronounce an "Amen" to that.
me being kinda of an oldster, I'll tell you I do remember the day.
living on a farm in East TN, had already gone to the barn for chores when my guardian called me back to listen on the radio.
I was informed "You need to hear this, you will always remember it." Right on. Strangely enough, we had just gotten electricity and the radio. Previously we just had a battery powered radio which was saved for special occasions. I guess the Pearl Harbor attack qualified because I remember listening the coverage for that too.
And yes there are a few of us left that remember and can even type to tell people about it.
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.