D-Day +75 Years

[farscott]

It is hard to believe, but is true, that the largest invasion in the known history of the world started seventy-five years ago today. Not for wealth, not for personal gain, but for freedom. Not many of the men and women who made that herculean effort possible are still with us today. All of the ones of my acquaintance have passed, but it is important to never forget what those brave men and women did.

[Kanye Wyoming]

Whatever your feelings about the president, this is a beautiful, moving speech. His finest hour.



https://youtu.be/zTlM0c3bJF0

[Stephanie B]

Also, 101 years since the Battle of Belleau Wood.

[JohnO]

https://www.archives.gov/files/historical-docs/doc-content/images/ww2-eisenhower-d-day-order-l.jpg

[blues]

Ordinary citizens who became extraordinary soldiers, accomplishing extraordinary ends.

I am humbled every time I reflect upon their courage, sacrifice and deeds, hoping against hope that I would be their equal in the same circumstances.

Makes me damned proud to be an American.

[delphidoc]

Our beloved Progressive brethren over at Alphabet couldn't bother themselves to put up a Google Doodle about D-Day. I guess defeating Hitler doesn't fit their narrative. Classy.

One of the Nat Geo channels is running a D-Day Marathon all week long. Several of the shows have been pretty good.

Two weeks ago there was a 1-day showing of "The Cold Blue" in theaters nationwide. Lots of restored color footage and interviews with B-17 crew members. It will eventually show on HBO.

[ccmdfd]

I always watch "The Longest Day" every June 6th.

The hell that those men put up with makes one realize how small today's issues are.

Unfortunately it's also the anniversary of my Mother in law 's murder, so it's a somber day at our house

cc

[RJ]

Fucking hero’s.

Every.

Last.

One.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Tamara]

Speaking of D-Day, it seems a bit of what I had counted as history might have been myth-making...or, if you're less charitably inclined, plain old bullshit (https://petapixel.com/2019/02/16/debunking-the-myths-of-robert-capa-on-d-day/).

[Lex Luthier]

A friend's dad was a CANLOAN
Officer who went ashore at Sword Beach (iirc) on the first wave.
He's there now, still sharp and capable at 94.

Taken yesterday & today:

38758

He was delighted to be asked for a picture by a German contingent attending the memorial. He loved working with them in the 50s & 60s NATO era.

38759

[farscott]

Speaking of D-Day, it seems a bit of what I had counted as history might have been myth-making...or, if you're less charitably inclined, plain old bullshit (https://petapixel.com/2019/02/16/debunking-the-myths-of-robert-capa-on-d-day/).

That is a fascinating read.

[Stephanie B]

If you're old enough, you may remember CBS's documentary, D-Day plus 20 Years


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNaxTXfjfXk

CBS uploaded it on the 5th.

[Drang]

Speaking of exploding myths of Operation Overlord: DD Tanks for D Day - Operation Overlord | Breach Bang Clear (https://www.breachbangclear.com/sherman-tank-at-d-day/)

[farscott]

Speaking of exploding myths of Operation Overlord: DD Tanks for D Day - Operation Overlord | Breach Bang Clear (https://www.breachbangclear.com/sherman-tank-at-d-day/)

Interesting analysis that suggests that using the Pacific doctrine would have led to much fewer Allied causalities during the initial landings and establishment of the beachhead.

[Cheap Shot]

https://www.instagram.com/p/ByX3Rt6j7s0/

From Jocko Willink

[farscott]

If you're old enough, you may remember CBS's documentary, D-Day plus 20 Years


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNaxTXfjfXk

CBS uploaded it on the 5th.

I am not quite old enough, but it is fascinating now. I do find it curious that Walter Cronkite refers to "General Eisenhower", not "President Eisenhower". While the military title makes sense for the subject, he had left The White House about 3.5 years before. I assume it has to do with the fact that the proper reference would be "former President Eisenhower" as we have only one President at a time. I used to encounter former President Carter on a semi-regular basis, and I always addressed him as "Mr. President" and stood, if not already standing, when he entered a room. Once a President, always a President.

[Kanye Wyoming]

If you're old enough, you may remember CBS's documentary, D-Day plus 20 Years


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNaxTXfjfXk

CBS uploaded it on the 5th.
Thanks for this. I didn't see it at the time (I was 2), and my parents didn't think to DVR it.

Just watched/listened this morning while cleaning guns.

[JohnO]

Thanks for this. I didn't see it at the time (I was 2), and my parents didn't think to DVR it.

Just watched/listened this morning while cleaning guns.

You are from a rather technologically advanced family if your parents had the capability to "DVR" something in 1964, 74, 84 or even 94. :cool:

[Stephanie B]

I am not quite old enough, but it is fascinating now. I do find it curious that Walter Cronkite refers to "General Eisenhower", not "President Eisenhower". While the military title makes sense for the subject, he had left The White House about 3.5 years before. I assume it has to do with the fact that the proper reference would be "former President Eisenhower" as we have only one President at a time. I used to encounter former President Carter on a semi-regular basis, and I always addressed him as "Mr. President" and stood, if not already standing, when he entered a room. Once a President, always a President.
That may have been the General's preference as to title. Theodore Roosevelt preferred to be addressed as "Colonel" after he left the White House.

[pangloss]

That may have been the General's preference as to title. Theodore Roosevelt preferred to be addressed as "Colonel" after he left the White House.

I've never been in the military, but I suspect that more work goes into becoming a general than a president. (On the other hand, I've also never been president.)

[Stephanie B]

Interesting analysis that suggests that using the Pacific doctrine would have led to much fewer Allied causalities during the initial landings and establishment of the beachhead.
I’m not sure how valid much of that analysis is. Part of the success of the invasion hinged in deceiving and confusing the Germans. A week-long preinvasion softening up by heavy naval guns would have negated all of that.

Besides that, the “experts” in the Pacific were not as obvious as it now seems. Tarawa was a bloody mess and that was in late ‘43. The army in the European theater had been doing landings since ‘42.