This post isn’t so much a memorial regarding those who
sacrificed and gave their life (that was done in a previous post) as it
celebrates those who were inspired and planned for the invasion that we refer
to as “D-Day.” We often forget to celebrate what was done ahead of sacrifices
on the beaches, in the swamps and in the fields just behind the German lines. I
thought this might be an occasion to celebrate more of what was done prior to
and on this historic day and say thank you to the men and women who fought, not
knowing what was to be.
This year we celebrated the 70th Anniversary of
Victory in Europe. The event might not have ever happened if the D-Day Invasion
had not occurred. I believe it is important for us to know that this was a huge
and complex venture. It required considerable planning and strategy. The
invasion of Normandy had many moving parts. D-Day is well documented. There are
many books, movies and other materials available.
Let me summarize the European portion of the war up to D-Day
for the sake of making these few points and providing a place to show
present-day images.
St. Mere Eglise Church
After World War I and prior to World War II, the
geo-political map of the world was turned up-side down. World economies were in
shambles. Wall Street crashed in 1929. There was high unemployment everywhere,
Europe and the United States. There was a lot of turmoil and dissatisfaction.
St. Mere Eglise Church
In Germany, people fell under the influence of those who
offered solutions, or alternatively pointed fingers of blame. In Germany it was
Adolph Hitler. He ultimately came to power, becoming Chancellor in January of 1933.
He consolidated his power, grew Germany’s military and established an axis
between Germany and Italy. Under the
notion there were German people in Austria, and Czechoslovakia, he “annexed” portions
of both countries in early 1938. In September of 1939 Hitler met with England’s
Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, France’s Edouard Daladier and Italy’s
Benito Mussolini which led to the Munich Agreement, handing over the rest of
the Sudetenland land to Germany. In September, 1939 Hitler invaded western Poland.
This brought on immediate declarations of war on Germany by Britain and France.
The Soviet Union then invaded eastern Poland. In early 1940, German forces
invaded Denmark and Norway, followed by Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium
and France. France capitulated on June 22, 1940 and British forces were forced
to evacuate France by sea. After Great Britain elected Winston Churchill, Prime
Minister, Hitler then turned his attention on Great Britain, ordering aerial
attacks on airbases in England and then on British cities. In the spring of
1941, Hitler deployed forces to North Africa, the Balkans and the Middle East. On
June 22, 1941 Hitler, despite a Non-Aggression Pact with Stalin, began an
invasion of the Soviet Union. Fortunately for England, it was during this time
the German code aka the “Enigma Code” was in the process of being broken by
Alan Turing.
St Michael, Patron Saint of Paratroopers (St. Mere Eglise Church)
The United States did not want to enter another war.
Isolationist policies were adopted. And so Britain and others fought Germany
alone. Germany, Italy and Japan joined together to become the Axis. Japan hoped
to dominate the Pacific arena. Italy desired to re-establish it empire around
the Mediterranean, and Germany desired to control the rest of the world.
Village of St. Mere Eglise
On December 7, 1941 Japan attacked the American fleet at
Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and four days later, Hitler declared war against the
United States. This would prove to be a pivotal moment. Until the attack on
America’s fleet, the United States maintained isolationist nation. She was now
pushed into war with Japan and Germany.
Once the United States entered the war, an invasion of
Western Europe was inevitable. Germany was a formable foe and it was determined
that prior to a land invasion American and British air forces had to degrade
Germany’s military industry and transportation system, if it were to defeat its
army. This was a costly operation in terms of men and air equipment. In the
meantime, American and British forces concentrated on the “underbelly” of
Europe, attacking the Germans and Italians in North Africa. In early 1943
American and British air forces began bombing Germany around the clock and by
summer of 1943 the British and American forces were in Sicily and Italy in
September.
Area flooded by Germans
Meanwhile, Germany became bogged down on its eastern front
with the Soviet Union. Stalin and the Russian winter held the Germans off until
allied supplies arrived in 1942. In January 1943 the German army surrendered
and the Russians were able to move instead toward Germany. While bombing runs
and troop buildups in England were underway, Stalin was pressuring British and
American Allies in to begin an invasion on Germany’s Western Front to take pressure
off Soviet Union forces. In Teheran in November
of 1943, British and American forces agreed to a May 1944 invasion of northern
France.
Beach Landing Obstruction
The Germans realized invasion was inevitable. They built
fortifications along the coast of France, but thought the invasion was likely
to be at Calais.
German Bunker
To confuse the Germans, mock airfields were constructed in
England and other deceptive actions were planned for the invasion, including the
drop of dummy para-troopers and the use of spies and double agents, sending
misleading messages, and using riddles and poems. Invasion plans also included an
amphibious landing and an aerial force landing. One of the best deceptions was
deployment of inflatable tanks and construction of huge installations made of plywood
and canvas large enough to support 50 divisions.
German Bunker, Omaha Beach
Other actions taken by Allied forces, in addition to the air
war on Germany, were the adaption of armored vehicles to lay bridges, roads,
scorch earth, clear mines. They also prepared structures to create two
“Mulberry” harbors to allow for the inflow of additional troops and equipment. Nothing
could be taken for granted in preparing for the invasion.
German Bunker, Omaha Beach
Though France was defeated and occupied, the French
Resistance provided detailed information on fortifications in France, and on
the day of invasion took out roads, railroads, taking out telephone lines and
electrical stations.
Road Access at Omaha Beach
With all these actions in motion, military strategists planned
“Operation Overlord” or the day referred to now as “D-Day.” Because a specific
date had not been assigned, “D” was a general reference to the “Day” of the
invasion, whatever the day that might be.
Omaha Beach Seawall
Omaha Beach
What would determine the specific date the invasion took
place? The Weatherman, the Generals, and in particularly General Eisenhower
(the US Supreme Allied Commander), and the readiness of the troops, who were
eager to begin were the keys.
Utah Beach
The weather wasn’t perfect on the morning of June 6, 1944. Worst
weather in the area in recent history. The forecast was overcast with treacherous
seas. But the moon would be full and they needed a full moon to illuminate
navigational landmarks for our air and naval operations, and they needed low tides
to expose German defensive obstacles on the beaches. Eisenhower was reluctant
to wait another month or even two. British and American troops were eager to
engage. Under these conditions, General Eisenhower determined it had to be then,
directing General Omar Bradley (Commander of American Ground Forces) to begin
the invasion.
Utah Beach
On the morning of June 6, heavy naval shelling of German
positions began. Unfortunately, because of the weather, the bombardment was
less effective that hoped. Simultaneously, paratroopers from the 101st
and 82nd airborne divisions (under Lieutenant General James Gavin) were
flown behind enemy lines. Most missed their targets due to heavy clouds. Some paratroopers
landed in the area behind the coast in the area the Germans flooded to hinder
invading forces. Some troops overshot their designated landing areas, dropping
in villages like St. Mere Eglise (Saving
Private Ryan). One point, our guide in Normandy pointed out was that many of
the German forces were actually Austrian and Polish soldiers who were forced to
fight for Germany after they were defeated. Our guide believed their hearts
were not fully into the fight. They too were victims in the war.
Utah Beach
Then began the amphibious assaults on 5 beaches. They were
referred to as Utah, Omaha, Juno, Gold and Sword. American forces were landed
at Utah and Omaha. British forces landed at Juno, Gold and Sword. The beaches
were selected because each provided strategic access (roads) to particular
villages and towns inland. Other stretches of beach were protected by sheer
cliffs or did not have a strategic advantage.
The invasion at Utah beach went well enough. However, Brigadier
General T. Roosevelt, son of Teddy Roosevelt with the US 4th
Infantry Division (serving under Major General Raymond Barton) landed further
down the beach than planned. After realizing his troops were off his target,
famously said, “We will start the war from right here.” Nevertheless, they took
the beach.
Omaha Beach
It didn’t go so well on Omaha Beach. The US 1st
infantry Division and 29th Infantry Division (Major General Norman
Cota) came against the German 35 2nd Infantry Division at one of the
most heavily fortified beaches along the coast. It took several days of
fighting to take the German gunners out.
The British 50th, Canadian 3rd, and British 3rd Infantry
Divisions (all under Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery) were assigned to take
Gold, Juno and Sword beachheads. For the most part, these units encountered initial
resistance, but were able to move inland without heavy losses.
Omaha Beach
The objective of the invasion was to create
a foothold in Western Europe allowing additional troops and military equipment
to be put into place .Once Normandy was secured, further landing of
troops and military equipment in place, the Allied Forces could move on into the
rest of France and Europe and ultimately the downfall of Nazi Germany. Battles
that followed included the Battle of the Bulge, etc.
The invasion of Normandy was for Nazi Germany, the beginning
of the end. It was a turning point.
I hope you enjoy the pictures of Utah and Omaha beaches, the
church at St. Mere Eglise, and the marshland
areas between the beaches and the town. Many additional details regarding the
war and Operation Overlord are published and are on-line to those who have an
interest. I’ve brutally summarized the war and the D-Day Invasion to make the
sole point that planning and strategy, along with commitment to carry through,
may be the decisive factor to winning a war.
Resources (I like):
“D-Day, June 6 1944: Following in the Footsteps of
Heroes” by Stuart Robertson (our guide in Normandy)
“The Longest Day,” a 1962 movie with John Wayne, Henry
Fonda, Robert Mitchum, Sean Connery, Richard Burton, Paul Anka, Red Buttons,
Peter Lawford Robert Wagner, Irina Demick and many others.
“Saving Private Ryan,” a 1998 movie with Tom Hanks, Matt
Damon, Vin Diesel, and others.
The Imitation Game,” a 2014 movie about the Nazi Enigma
Code used during World War II.
D Day: June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II
by Stephen E. Ambrose
Scripture
Joshua 6.3 – Joshua told his men to march around the city
of Jericho blowing trumpets and on the seventh day with shouts the wall of the
city fell.
Judges 2.1 – Two spies were sent into the town and with
the help of Rehab they escape.
Judges 7.10 – Gideon and Purah listen to their opponents
conversations before battle.
Judges 7.16 & 22 – Gideon uses trumpets, empty jars
and torches to defeat the Midianites.
1 Samuel 14.12-14 – Jonathan and his armor bearer boldly
assault the enemy.
1 Samuel 17.40 – David uses 5 stones and a slingshot
against the giant, Goliath.
2 Kings 18.17, 19 & 20.20 – Hezekiah builds a water
tunnel and pool to defend the city against their enemy.
2 Kings 20.20 - Hezekiah defies the King of Assyria by
constructing a water tunnel and pool and his allegiance to God
Nehemiah 4.1 & 4.15 – Sanballat uses ridicule against
his enemy. They realize his tactic and resist it with prayer.
John 18.11 – Jesus tells Peter to put his sword away in
favor of God’s greater plan.
Romans 8.31 - If God is for us who can be against us?
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