Nous honorons les héros

qui ont donné leur vie Honoring Heroes who

pour la démocratie. Nous Sacri ced eir Lives for
respectons et louons Dieu Our Freedom Four Score
Tout-Puissant pour nous Years ago. We still will
avoir donné le privilège continue to engage in the
de vivre sur cette Terre. cause of freedom and
justice for all of
humanity.

This is a story about the tenacious courage of many

Americans who saw evil and desired to eliminate it.
These human beings, involved in the Normandy
invasion (which was the largest amphibious invasion
in human history), were made up of many creeds,
colors, and backgrounds. Yet, they had one goal
which was to liberate humanity from the viciousness
found in the Axis Powers. The Holocaust, rape,
abuse, murder, genocide, and other nefarious
actions are antithetical to the values of equality,
freedom, and justice for all. After eighty years, we
are still fighting fascism not only embraced by many
MAGA cultists but other far right extremists globally
who desire the progressive gains to end. This fight
for justice is personal to me since my relatives (in
real life) were involved in the Normandy invasion.
Therefore, the quest for human liberation is not
easy, but it is just, sacred avenue to pursue.
Crowds of French patriots line the Champs Elysees to view Free French
tanks and half-tracks of General Leclerc's 2nd Armored Division passes
through the Arc du Triomphe, after Paris was liberated on August 26, 1944.
Among the crowd can be seen banners in support of Charles de Gaulle. The
source of this image is from: Jack Downey, U.S. O ice of War Information -
This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints
and Photographs division under the digital ID fsac.1a55001.

“…You are about to embark upon

the great crusade toward
which we have striven these many
months. The eyes of the world are
upon you. I have full confidence
in your courage, devotion to
duty, and skill in battle.”

-President Dwight D. Eisenhower

The Table of Contents

1. Prologue
2. Preparation
3. The Early Stage
4. The Massive, Heroic Invasion
5. The Aftermath
6. Honoring Heroes
7. Epilogue
The events of the Normandy landings including D-Day were one of the most important parts of
human history. This occurred in 1944 during the start of the end of World War II. America got into
the War just a few years ago, and the Allied Powers needed American help to defeat the evil Axis
Powers. By this time, there was a debate on how America should invade Vichy Axis-controlled
France. America repelled Nazi forces in North Africa with help from the UK and other nations.
Hitler couldn't conquer Russia, and the Axis Powers were on the ropes with the victory of Stalingrad
by Allied Soviet Union forces. There were many debates on how the liberation of France ought to
take place. Yet, Allied Powers including the Soviet Union agreed that D-Day must occur. President
Franklin Roosevelt was running for President again, and his popularity was in incredibly positive
straights. Codenamed Operation Neptune, this exercise was the largest seaborne invasion in history.
General Dwight Eisenhower was a key human being who organized the strategies and logistics on
how the landings would occur in a focused, comprehensive fashion. Without his leadership, D-Day
would have never existed in a complete, thorough victory. D-Day helped to liberate France and
Western Europe from Nazi oppression and fascism. The Nazis committed genocide, promoted anti-
Semitism, followed authoritarianism, agreed with racism, and harbor anti-democratic policies (that
is antithetical to the pro-democratic views that we stand for). Two of my relatives were active
members of the D-Day Normandy landings, so this story has a very special place in my mind and in
my heart. Liberating people from tyranny is always a blessing. The sacrifice of the heroes during that
historic occurrence was priceless.
 Preparation
The Normandy landings started by a long process
of debates and negotiations among America, the
Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom. These
three nations had to work together for the invasion
on D-Day to commence. First, the Nazis invaded
the Soviet Union in June 1941. The Soviet Leader
Jossph Stalin wanted the Allied Powers to create a
second front in western Europe in order to ease the
burden of fighting the Nazis and to defeat the Nazis
faster. FDR was eager to open a second front soon,
but Churchill wanted it delayed because everyone
knew that he hated Communism and distrusted
Stalin because of Stalin's ideological views. By late
May of 1942, the Soviet Union and the United
States made a joint announcement that, "...full
understanding was reached with regard to the
urgent tasks of creating a second front in Europe in
1942." However, British Prime Minister Winston
Churchill persuaded U.S. President Franklin D.
Roosevelt to postpone the promised invasion as,
even with U.S. help, the Allies did not have
adequate forces for such an activity. Instead of an
immediate return to France, the western Allies
staged offensives in the Mediterranean Theatre of
Operations, where British troops were already
stationed. By mid-1943, the campaign in North
Africa had been won. The Allies then launched the
invasion of Sicily in July 1943 and subsequently
invaded the Italian mainland in September the
same year. By then, Soviet forces were on the
offensive and had won a major victory at the Battle
of Stalingrad. The decision to undertake a cross-
channel invasion within the next year was taken at
the Trident Conference in Washington in May
1943. Initial planning was constrained by the
number of available landing craft, most of which
were already committed in the Mediterranean and
Pacific. At the Tehran Conference in November
1943, Roosevelt and Churchill promised Stalin that
they would open the long-delayed second front in
May 1944.
The Allies considered four sites for the landings: Brittany, the Cotentin Peninsula, Normandy, and the
Pas-de-Calais. As Brittany and Cotentin are peninsulas, it would have been possible for the Germans to
cut off the Allied advance at a relatively narrow isthmus, so these sites were rejected. With the Pas-de-
Calais being the closest point in continental Europe to Britain, the Germans considered it to be the most
likely initial landing zone, so it was the most heavily fortified region. But it offered few opportunities for
expansion, as the area is bounded by numerous rivers and canals, whereas landings on a broad front in
Normandy would permit simultaneous threats against the port of Cherbourg, coastal ports further west
in Brittany, and an overland attack towards Paris and eventually into Germany. Normandy was hence
chosen as the landing site. The most serious drawback of the Normandy coast—the lack of port facilities—
would be overcome through the development of artificial Mulberry harbors. A series of modified tanks,
nicknamed Hobart's Funnies, dealt with specific requirements expected for the Normandy Campaign
such as mine clearing, demolishing bunkers, and mobile bridging. At first, the Allies planned to launch
the invasion on May 1, 1944. The initial draft was accepted at the Quebec Conference in August 1943.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower was appointed commander of the Supreme Headquarters Allied
Expeditionary Force. General Bernard Montgomery was named commander of the 21st Army Group,
which comprised all land forces involved in the invasion. On December 31, 1943, Eisenhower and
Montgomery first saw the plan, which proposed amphibious landings by three divisions with two more
divisions in support. The two generals insisted that the scale of the initial invasion be expanded to five
divisions, with airborne descents by three additional divisions, to allow operations on a wider front and
to hasten the capture of Cherbourg. The need to acquire or produce extra landing craft for the expanded
operation meant that the invasion had to be delayed to June. Eventually, thirty-nine Allied divisions
would be committed to the Battle of Normandy: twenty-two American, twelve British, three Canadian,
one Polish, and one French, totaling over a million troops.
 The Early Stage
Operation Overlord was the
name assigned to the
establishment of a large-scale
lodgment on the continent. The
first phase, the amphibious
invasion and establishment of a
secure foothold, was codenamed
Operation Neptune. To gain the
air superiority needed to ensure a
successful invasion, the Allies
undertook a bombing campaign
(codenamed Operation
Pointblank) that targeted
German aircraft production, fuel
supplies, and airfields. Elaborate
deceptions, codenamed
Operation Bodyguard, were
undertaken in the months
leading up to the invasion to
prevent the Germans from
learning the timing and location
of the invasion. The landings
were to be preceded by airborne
operations near Caen on the
eastern flank to secure the Orne
River bridges and north of
Carentan on the western
flank. The Americans, assigned
to land at Utah Beach and
Omaha Beach, were to attempt
to capture Carentan and Saint-
Lô the first day, then cut off the
Cotentin Peninsula and
eventually capture the port
facilities at Cherbourg. The
British at Sword and Gold
Beaches and Canadians at Juno
Beach would protect the U.S.
flank and attempt to establish
airfields near Caen on the first
day (A sixth beach, code-named
"Band", was considered to the
east of the Orne). A secure
lodgment would be established
with all invading forces linked
together, with an attempt to hold
all territory north of the
Avranches-Falaise line within the
first three weeks. Montgomery
envisaged a ninety-day battle,
lasting until all Allied forces
reached the Seine River.
The Allied Powers wanted to deceive the Nazis in making sure that they didn't know their locations via
Operation Bodyguard. Operation Fortitude including Fortitude North, a misinformation campaign using
fake radio traffic to lead the Germans into expecting an attack on Norway, and Fortitude South was a
major deception involving the creation of a fictitious First United States Army Group under Lieutenant
General George S. Patton, supposedly located in Kent and Sussex. Fortitude South was intended to
deceive the Germans into believing that the main attack would take place at Calais. Genuine radio
messages from the 21st Army Group were first routed to Kent via landline and then broadcast, to give the
Germans the impression that most of the Allied troops were stationed there. Patton was stationed in
England until July 6, thus continuing to deceive the Germans into believing a second attack would take
place at Calais.

Many of the German radar stations on the French coast were destroyed in preparation for the landings.
In addition, on the night before the invasion, a small group of Special Air Service operators deployed
dummy paratroopers over Le Havre and Isigny. These dummies led the Germans to believe that an
additional airborne landing had occurred. On that same night, in Operation Taxable, No. 617 Squadron
RAF dropped strips of "window", metal foil that caused a radar return which was mistakenly interpreted
by German radar operators as a naval convoy near Le Havre. The illusion was bolstered by a group of
small vessels towing barrage balloons. A similar deception was undertaken near Boulogne-sur-Mer in the
Pas de Calais area by No. 218 Squadron RAF in Operation Glimmer.

The invasion planners wanted the weather to be right. The moon, the tides, and the time of day must be
in order. They wanted a full moon because it would provide illumination for aircraft pilots and have the
highest tides. The Allies wanted to schedule the landings for shortly before dawn, midway between low
and high tide, with the tide coming in. This would improve the visibility of obstacles on the beach while
minimizing the amount of time the men would be exposed in the open. Eisenhower had tentatively
selected June 5 as the date for the assault. However, on June 4, conditions were unsuitable for a landing:
high winds and heavy seas made it impossible to launch landing craft, and low clouds would prevent
aircraft from finding their targets. Surface weather analysis map showing weather fronts on June 5.
Group Captain James Stagg of the Royal Air Force (RAF) met Eisenhower on the evening of June 4. He
and his meteorological team predicted that the weather would improve enough for the invasion to proceed
on June 6. The Allied leaders debated the dates on when to go as a major storm going to the Normandy
coast from June 19 to 22 would make the beach landings impossible. So, they decided to proceed on June
6, 1944. Allied control of the Atlantic meant German meteorologists had less information than the Allies
on incoming weather patterns. As the Luftwaffe meteorological center in Paris was predicting two weeks
of stormy weather, many Wehrmacht commanders left their posts to attend war games in Rennes, and
men in many units were given leave. Field Marshal Erwin Rommel returned to Germany for his wife's
birthday and to petition Hitler for additional Panzer divisions. The Nazi depleted much of their forces
after the Eastern Front battles. There were 50 Nazi divisions in France and the Low Countries. In early
1944, the German Western Front (OB West) was significantly weakened by personnel and materiel
transfers to the Eastern Front. During the Soviet Dnieper–Carpathian offensive (24 December 1943 – 17
April 1944), the German High Command was forced to transfer the entire II SS Panzer Corps from France,
consisting of the 9th and 10th SS Panzer Divisions, as well as the 349th Infantry Division, 507th Heavy
Panzer Battalion and the 311th and 322nd StuG Assault Gun Brigades. All told, the German forces
stationed in France were deprived of 45,827 troops and 363 tanks, assault guns, and self-propelled anti-
tank guns. It was the first major transfer of forces from France to the east since the creation of Führer
Directive 51, which eased restrictions on troop transfers to the eastern front.

The 1st SS Panzer Division "Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler", 9th, 11th, 19th and 116th Panzer divisions,
alongside the 2nd SS Panzer Division "Das Reich", had only arrived in March–May 1944 to France for
extensive refit after being badly damaged during the Dnieper-Carpathian operation. Seven of the eleven
panzer or panzergrenadier divisions stationed in France were not fully operational or only partially mobile
in early June 1944. The Nazi Rommel believed that the Allied forces would invade on the Normandy
coast, so he advocated fortifications on the coast. The battle was about to start. General D. Eisenhower
was the Commander of Allied Fores in the Normandy invasion. Commander of the UK General Bernard
Montgomery (of the 21st Army Group) was involved too. The Allied forces worked with the French
Resistance too. The French Resistance with the Allied backing wanted to sabotage the rail system, destroy
electrical facilities, cutting underground telephone plus teleprinter cables and delay the Axis forces from
reinforce the Nazis at Normandy. A 1965 report from the Counter-insurgency Information Analysis
Center details the results of the French Resistance's sabotage efforts: "In the southeast, 52 locomotives
were destroyed on 6 June and the railway line cut in more than 500 places. Normandy was isolated as of
7 June."

In the naval operation, the overall command was British Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, who had served as
Flag officer at Dover during the Dunkirk evacuation four years earlier. He had also been responsible for
the naval planning of the invasion of North Africa in 1942, and one of the two fleets carrying troops for
the invasion of Sicily the following year. command was British Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, who had
served as Flag officer at Dover during the Dunkirk evacuation four years earlier. He had also been
responsible for the naval planning of the invasion of North Africa in 1942, and one of the two fleets
carrying troops for the invasion of Sicily the following year. The Nazis attacked many ships. The bombing
of Normandy began around midnight with more than 2,200 British, Canadian, and U.S. bombers
attacking targets along the coast and further inland.

The coastal bombing attack was largely ineffective at Omaha, because low cloud cover made the assigned
targets difficult to see. Concerned about inflicting casualties on their own troops, many bombers delayed
their attacks too long and failed to hit the beach defenses. The Germans had 570 aircraft stationed in
Normandy and the Low Countries on D-Day, and another 964 in Germany. Minesweepers began clearing
channels for the invasion fleet shortly after midnight and finished just after dawn without encountering
the enemy. The Western Task Force included the battleships Arkansas, Nevada, and Texas, plus eight
cruisers, twenty-eight destroyers, and one monitor. The Eastern Task Force included the battleships
Ramillies and Warspite and the monitor Roberts, twelve cruisers, and thirty-seven destroyers. Naval
bombardment of areas behind the beach commenced at 05:45, while it was still dark, with the gunners
switching to pre-assigned targets on the beach as soon as it was light enough to see, at 05:50. Since troops
were scheduled to land at Utah and Omaha starting at 06:30 (an hour earlier than the British beaches),
these areas received only about 40 minutes of naval bombardment before the assault troops began to land
on the shore.

Airborne operations were involved in Normandy too. The airborne mission was to allow military forces
to seize bridges, road crossing, and terrain features (like the eastern and western ranks of the landing areas),
so the Axis Powers will not have enough time to counterstrike. The U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne
Divisions were assigned to objectives west of Utah Beach, where they hoped to capture and control the
few narrow causeways through terrain that had been intentionally flooded by the Germans. Reports from
Allied intelligence in mid-May of the arrival of the German 91st Infantry Division meant the intended
drop zones had to be shifted eastward and to the south. The British 6th Airborne Division, on the eastern
flank, was assigned to capture intact the bridges over the Caen Canal and River Orne, destroy five bridges
over the Dives 6 miles (9.7 km) to the east, and destroy the Merville Gun Battery overlooking Sword
Beach. Free French paratroopers from the British SAS Brigade were assigned to objectives in Brittany from
5 June until August in Operations Dingson, Samwest, and Cooney. The U.S. airborne landings started
early too. Troops of the 82nd Airborne began arriving around 02:30, with the primary objective of
capturing two bridges over the River Merderet and destroying two bridges over the Douve. The first
Allied action of D-Day was the capture of the Caen canal and Orne river bridges via a glider assault at
00:16 (since renamed Pegasus Bridge and Horsa Bridge). Both bridges were quickly captured intact, with
light casualties by the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Regiment. They were then
reinforced by members of the 5th Parachute Brigade and the 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion.
More gliders came on the scene. British and Canadian forces had a key role in the Normandy landings
indeed.

Some of the landing craft had been modified to provide close support fire, and self-propelled amphibious
Duplex-Drive tanks (DD tanks), specially designed for the Normandy landings, were to land shortly
before the infantry to provide covering fire. However, few arrived in advance of the infantry, and many
sank before reaching the shore, especially at Omaha. There were many beaches involved in the landing.
Utah Beach was defended by the two battalions of the 919th Grenadier Regiment. Members of the 8th
Infantry Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division were the first to land, arriving at 06:30. Their landing
craft was pushed to the south by strong currents, and they found themselves about 2,000 yards (1.8 km)
from their intended landing zone.
Pointe du Hoc, a prominent headland situated between Utah and Omaha, was assigned to two hundred
men of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James Rudder. Their task was to
scale the 30 m (98 ft) cliffs with grappling hooks, ropes, and ladders to destroy the coastal gun battery
located at the top. The cliffs were defended by the German 352nd Infantry Division and French
collaborators firing from above. Allied destroyers USS Satterlee and HMS Talybont provided fire support.
After scaling the cliffs, the Rangers discovered that the guns had already been withdrawn. They located
the weapons, unguarded but ready to use, in an orchard some 550 metres (600 yd) south of the point and
disabled them with explosives.

The Rangers fended off numerous counter-attacks from the German 914th Grenadier Regiment. The
men were isolated, and some were captured. By dawn on 7 June, Rudder had only 90 men able to fight.
Relief did not arrive until 8 June, when members of the 743rd Tank Battalion and others arrived. By then,
Rudder's men had run out of ammunition and were using captured German weapons. Several men were
killed as a result, because the German weapons made a distinctive noise, and the men were mistaken for
the enemy. By the end of the battle, the Rangers casualties were 135 dead and wounded, while German
casualties were 50 killed and 40 captured. An unknown number of French collaborators were executed.

Omaha Beach was the most defended beach shown in the movies and documentaries heavily about D-
Day. This area was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division and the 29th Infantry Division. They allied with
the 352nd Infantry Division rather than the expected single regiment. Strong currents forced many landing
craft east of their intended position or caused them to be delayed. For fear of hitting the landing craft,
U.S. bombers delayed releasing their loads and as a result most of the beach obstacles at Omaha remained
undamaged when the men came ashore. Many of the landing craft ran aground on sandbars, and the men
had to wade 50–100m in water up to their necks while under fire to get to the beach. In spite of the rough
seas, DD tanks of two companies of the 741st Tank Battalion were dropped 5,000 yards (4,600 m) from
shore. However, 27 of the 32 flooded and sank, with the loss of 33 crew. Some tanks, disabled on the
beach, continued to provide covering fire until their ammunition ran out or they were swamped by the
rising tide.

Casualties were around 2,000, as the men were subjected to fire from the cliffs above. Problems clearing
the beach of obstructions led to the beachmaster calling a halt to further landings of vehicles at 08:30. A
group of destroyers arrived around this time to provide fire support so landings could resume. Exit from
the beach was possible only via five heavily defended gullies, and by late morning barely 600 men had
reached the higher ground. By noon, as the artillery fire took its toll and the Germans started to run out
of ammunition, the Americans were able to clear some lanes on the beaches. They also started clearing
the gullies of enemy defenses so that vehicles could move off the beach. The tenuous beachhead was
expanded over the following days, and the D-Day objectives for Omaha were accomplished by June 9.
Landings on Gold Beach took place on 07:25. There was a landing on Juno Beach too. Many Canadian
soldiers were on Gold Beach. Sword Beach had many British forces. French liberation leader Commander
Phillippe Kieffer helped the Allied Forces in battle too. Allied casualties on Sword Beach were as high as
1,000.

“…Let Us all Beseech the Blessings of Almighty God Upon This great and Noble
Undertaking…”

-General Dwight D. Eisenhower, June 6, 1944 (D-Day)

INSPIRATIONAL WORDS FROM PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT

Source of picture below: Bettmann/CORBIS.

“…. And for us at home -- fathers, mothers, children, wives, sisters, and brothers of brave men
overseas -- whose thoughts and prayers are ever with them--help us, Almighty God, to rededicate
ourselves in renewed faith in Thee in this hour of great sacrifice. Many people have urged that I call
the Nation into a single day of special prayer. But because the road is long and the desire is great, I
ask that our people devote themselves in a continuance of prayer. As we rise to each new day, and
again when each day is spent, let words of prayer be on our lips, invoking Thy help to our efforts.

Give us strength, too -- strength in our daily tasks, to redouble the contributions we make in the
physical and the material support of our armed forces. And let our hearts be stout, to wait out the
long travail, to bear sorrows that may come, to impart our courage unto our sons wheresoever they
may be. And, O Lord, give us Faith. Give us Faith in Thee; Faith in our sons; Faith in each other;
Faith in our united crusade. Let not the keenness of our spirit ever be dulled. Let not the impacts of
temporary events, of temporal matters of but fleeting moment let not these deter us in our
unconquerable purpose. With Thy blessing, we shall prevail over the unholy forces of our enemy.
Help us to conquer the apostles of greed and racial arrogancies. Lead us to the saving of our country,
and with our sister Nations into a world unity that will spell a sure peace a peace invulnerable to the
schemings of unworthy men. And a peace that will let all of men live in freedom, reaping the just
rewards of their honest toil.

Thy will be done, Almighty God.”

-President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Prayer on D-Day (June 6, 1944)

 The Massive, Heroic
Invasion
The landing on Juno Beach was delayed because of
choppy seas. The men arrived with lax supporting
armor. That is why many causalities were there
while disembarking. Most of the offshore
bombardment had missed the German defenses.
Several exits from the beach were created, but not
without difficulty. At Mike Beach on the western
flank, a large crater was filled using an abandoned
AVRE tank and several rolls of fascine, which were
then covered by a temporary bridge. The tank
remained in place until 1972 when it was removed
and restored by members of the Royal Engineers.
The beach and nearby streets were clogged with
traffic for most of the day, making it difficult to
move inland. Major German strongpoints with 75
mm guns, machine-gun nests, concrete
fortifications, barbed wire, and mines were located
On Sword Beach, 21 of 25 DD tanks of the first wave were successful in getting safely ashore to provide
cover for the infantry, who began disembarking at 07:30. The beach was heavily mined and peppered
at Courseulles-sur-Mer, St Aubin-sur-Mer, and
Bernières-sur-Mer. The towns had to be cleared in
house-to-house fighting. Soldiers on their way to
Bény-sur-Mer, 3 miles (5 km) inland, discovered
that the road was well covered by machine gun
emplacements that had to be outflanked before the
advance could proceed. Elements of the 9th
Canadian Infantry Brigade advanced to within
sight of the Carpiquet airfield late in the afternoon,
but by this time their supporting armor was low on
ammunition, so the Canadians dug in for the night.
The airfield was not captured until a month later as
the area became the scene of fierce fighting. By
nightfall, the contiguous Juno and Gold
beachheads covered an area 12 miles (19 km) wide
and 7 miles (10 km) deep. Casualties at Juno were
961 men.
with obstacles, making the work of the beach clearing teams difficult and dangerous. In the windy
conditions, the tide came in more quickly than expected, so maneuvering the armor was difficult. The
beach quickly became congested. Brigadier Simon Fraser, 15th Lord Lovat, and his 1st Special Service
Brigade arrived in the second wave, piped ashore by Private Bill Millin, Lovat's personal piper. Members
of No. 4 Commando moved through Ouistreham to attack from the rear a German gun battery on the
shore. A concrete observation and control tower at this emplacement had to be bypassed and was not
captured until several days later. French forces under Commander Philippe Kieffer (the first French
soldiers to arrive in Normandy) attacked and cleared the heavily fortified strongpoint at the casino at Riva
Bella, with the aid of one of the DD tanks.

The 'Morris' strongpoint near Colleville-sur-Orne was captured after about an hour of fighting. The
nearby 'Hillman' strongpoint, headquarters of the 736th Infantry Regiment, was a large complex defensive
work that had come through the morning's bombardment essentially undamaged. It was not captured
until 20:15. The 2nd Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry began advancing to Caen on foot, coming
within a few kilometres of the town, but had to withdraw due to lack of armor support. At 16:00, the
21st Panzer Division mounted a counter-attack between Sword and Juno and nearly succeeded in reaching
the Channel. It met stiff resistance from the British 3rd Division and was soon recalled to assist in the area
between Caen and Bayeux. Estimates of Allied casualties on Sword Beach are as high as 1,000.

The Casualties of D-Day

Axis Forces: Allied Forces:
4,000 – 9,000 killed, wounded 10,000+ Casualties including
missing, and captured) 4,414 confirmed dead (and 185
M4 Sherman tanks lost)
 The Timeline of Numerous Events During D-Day
The Time The Events
12:15 am. Behind Utah Beach: Minutes after midnight, the American 101st Path nders jump into Normandy, and establish drop zones for
101st Airborne Paratroopers to follow. Their objective: capture the town of Sainte-Mère-Église, seize the major exits to Utah Beach,
and gain control of the Western flank of Normandy.
12:16 am. Near Caen: On the Eastern flank of the Normandy beachhead, Operation Tonga begins as Horsa gliders carrying glider borne
troops of the 2nd Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry land near two key bridges: the bridge over the Caen Canal at
Benouville, now known as Pegasus Bridge, and Ranville bridge over the Orne River, now known as Horsa Bridge. The Ox and Bucks
troopers secure both bridges within 15 minutes due to brilliant nighttime piloting; at Benouville, the lead glider incredibly lands just
40 meters from the bridge.
12:50 am. Paratroopers of the British 6th Airborne Division drop near Ranville to reinforce the glider borne troops and secure the eastern flank
of the Allied beachhead.
1:21 am. 82nd Airborne Path nders begin to drop into three main landing zones near Sainte-Mère-Église and two zones west of the
Merderet River, in advance of the main force of Parachute Infantrymen. The 82nd Airborne’s objectives are to secure the town,
control the causeway beyond, and seize the beach exits leading to Utah Beach.
1:51 am. The 82nd Airborne paratroopers arrive over their drop zones in Normandy in 369 C-47 transport planes; their drop zones are near
Sainte-Mère-Église, Amfreville and Picauville. But while the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment successfully lands on Sainte-Mère-
Église, the 507th and 508th Parachute Infantry Regiments (PIR) are scattered along the Merderet River, which the Germans have
intentionally flooded. Many of the heavily laden Paratroopers land in the flooded elds, and some drown before they have a chance
to ght.
2:00 am. The Fierce Fighting Starts: As Allied paratroopers attempt to regroup, re ghts break out with German forces in meeting
engagements as each side attempts to organize for combat.
3:00 am. Landing Ships Prepped: Miles off of the Normandy coastline, thousands of ships drop anchor and prepare landing craft for launch.
Troops unloaded from transport ships into LCVPs and LCAs in anticipation of H-Hour
4:00 am. Paratroopers of the 3rd Battalion, 505th PIR liberate Ste. Mère Eglise.
4:08 am. Brigadier General Don F. Pratt, assistant commander of the 101st Airborne Division, dies in a glider crash near Hiesville.
4:30 am. 132 US soldiers of the 2nd and 4th Cavalry land on the beaches of the Saint Marcouf Islands.
5:50 am. Warships open re on German batteries defending Utah Beach. Shortly after the naval bombardment, B-26 Marauders from the US
9th Air Force drop more than 4,000 bombs on targets from Les Dunes-de-Varreville to Beauguillot.
6:15 am. Landing craft headed to the British Beaches (Gold, Juno, and Sword) begin their 7-mile journey.
6:30 am. First Waves Land at Omaha: At H-Hour, 0630 in the morning the 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions land the rst waves of troops under
heavy re resulting in massive casualties. The rst waves are relentlessly cut down by German machine gun and mortar re.
7:00 am. Second Wave Lands at Omaha Beach: On Omaha Beach the second wave of troops lands in the bloody devastation of the rst
wave and attempts to push forward onto the beaches. The soldiers witness the terrible wrath of war rsthand, and now must ght
for their own survival.
7:25 am. British Land at Gold Beach: On Gold Beach the British 50th Division lands east of their target. German artillery and machine gun
re slows their attack. The British have a dif cult time establishing a foothold in the cliffs at Arromanches, but ultimately succeed
and push inland to take Bayeux.
7:30 am. Fierce Fighting Begins at Pointe du Hoc: Rangers under Lt. Col. James Rudder, 2nd Ranger Battalion attack the German artillery
battery at Pointe du Hoc, where Allied intelligence believes that 155mm guns on the summit can break the Allied attacks on both
Utah and Omaha beaches. Climbing up the eastside face of the cliffs against terri c German re, the Rangers gain the summit only
to discover the guns are not there.
9:30 am. Bernières Liberated: The North Shore Regiment and the Queen’s Own Rifle Regiment liberate the town of Bernières.

1:30 pm. Normandy Beach head: Troops continue to push off the beaches, seeking safe positions to bivouac for the night and prepare for
the next day’s events. Behind Utah Beach, VII Corps units move inland with minimal resistance, but troops exiting Omaha Beach
soon nd themselves in the dense bocage terrain through which they will struggle for several weeks before breaking out into more
open terrain. British and Canadian troops on Gold and Juno link up by the end of the day, but there is no contact between forces on
Gold and Omaha. Troops on Sword Beach meet especially stiff resistance as they move inland, including a determined German
defense at Périers Ridge, and, in the late afternoon, a counterattack by elements of the 21st Panzer Division. This resistance slows
the advance, preventing troops of the British 3rd Division from reaching Caen on D-Day. It will take weeks to clear the city.
10:10 pm. Although ghting continues through the afternoon and night, its intensity slowly diminishes, giving the Allied invasion force a much-
needed respite. Still, it will take several weeks of hard ghting to defeat the Wehrmacht in Normandy, liberate Paris, and reach the
Seine River.
 The Aftermath
The aftermath of the Normandy
landings (D-Day) was very
important. The Normandy
landings were part of the largest
seaborne invasion in human
history, with nearly 5,000
landings and assault craft, 289
escort vessels, and 277
minesweepers participating.
Nearly 160,000 troops crossed
the English Channel on D-Day,
with 875,000 men disembarking
by the end of June. Allied
casualties on the first day were at
least 10,000, with 4,414
confirmed dead. The Germans
lost 1,000 men. The Allied
invasion plans had called for the
capture of Carentan, Saint-Lô,
Caen, and Bayeux on the first
day, with all the beaches (other
than Utah) linked with a front
line 10 to 16 kilometers (6 to 10
mi) from the beaches; none of
these objectives were achieved.
The five beachheads were not
connected until June 12, by
which time the Allies held a front
around 97 kilometers (60 mi)
long and 24 kilometers (15 mi)
deep. Caen, a major objective,
was still in German hands at the
end of D-Day and would not be
completely captured until 21 July.
The Germans had ordered
French civilians other than those
deemed essential to the war effort
to leave potential combat zones
in Normandy. Civilian casualties
on D-Day and D+1 are estimated
at 3,000. The Allied victory in
Normandy stemmed from
several factors. German
preparations along the Atlantic
Wall were only partially finished;
shortly before D-Day Rommel
reported that construction was
only 18 percent complete in some
areas as resources were diverted
elsewhere. The deceptions
undertaken in Operation
Fortitude were successful, leaving
the Germans obliged to defend a
huge stretch of coastline. The
Allies achieved and maintained
air supremacy, which meant that
the Germans were unable to
make observations of the
preparations underway in Britain
and were unable to interfere via
bomber attacks. Infrastructure
for transport in France was
severely disrupted by Allied
bombers and the French
Resistance, making it difficult for
the Germans to bring up
reinforcements and supplies.
Some of the opening
bombardment was off-target or
not concentrated enough to have support for the troops as they on the part of the German high
any impact, but the specialized disembarked onto the beaches. command were also factors in the
armor worked well except on Indecisiveness and an overly Allied success too.
Omaha, providing close artillery complicated command structure

Many Presidents Commemorating the Sacrifice of Heroes on D-Day

President Ronald Reagan gave
probably one of his most eloquent
speeches in honor of the 40th
anniversary of the Normandy
invasion that set millions free from
the tyranny of Nazism, racism, and
anti-Semitism. Ronald Reagan gave
his speech in remembrance to the
men of Pointe Du Hoc in France. On
June 6, 1984. These men of Pointe
Du Hoc (of the 225 Rangers) have
God-inspired courage to liberate a
continent from authoritarianism and
injustice.
President Bill Clinton gave the speech of
the 50th year anniversary of the
Normandy invasion. The source of the
image above is from: Mal
Langsdon/Reuters. Clinton cited the
Americans, the Canadians, the British,
and other nationalities who participated
in the liberation of millions of human
beings. He said that the sacrifice of those
who passed away shall not be forgotten.
He wanted to make the point clear that
the forces of democracy on June 4,
1944, came to end the enslavement of
Europe. Clinton said that Lieutenant
Colonel James Earl Rudder, 2d Ranger
Battalion, United States Army, led 224
men on the beaches below and on the
cliffs.
President Barack Obama gave the
speech to commemorate the 70th year
anniversary of the Normandy invasion
by 2014. He mentioned the audacious
actions of the Allied Powers to end the
evils of Nazism in the world. President
Obama gave eloquent details of how
in a week, Normandy was a busy port
to send forces to end Hitler’s evil
empire. He mentioned how the G.Is.
worked hard to fight for freedom in
Sicily, Salerno, Anzio, in the Pacific,
and in other places. Obama
mentioned unsung heroes like Harry
Kulowitz, the Jewish son of Russian
immigrants, who fought on that day on
Utah Beach.

On June 6, 2024, President Joe Biden gave remarks in a passionate

speech on the 80th year anniversary of D-Day. His speech
acknowledged black veterans of D-Day and other veterans of color. He
praised democracy and warned of new threats to it. He also praised
NATO and the solidarity among all NATO nations. Biden made the
point that nations working together made D-Day an Allied victory and
international alliances are very important in foreign policy matters.
Also, it is important to condemn both Putin’s totalitarian regime and
Western imperialism. Imperialism has no place in the world too.
President Biden and the First Lady Jill Biden laid a wreath at the
cemetery to remember the fallen soldiers.
 Honoring Heroes
There are tons of unsung heroes during the time of
D-Day. One hero was Cliff Morris. He was a young
soldier in 6 Commando who was to take part in the
race to a vital bridge. Morris and his comrades from
6 Commando reached the village of St. Aubin-
d'Arquenay, less than a mile from the bridge, at ca.
11am. They were joined soon after by Lord Lovat
and his officers. These men including Stan Scott
played an important role in securing the eastern
perimeter of the Allies' D-Day landing zone. A lot
of people don't know that many black men were
involved in fighting during D-Day. Out of the
31,912 U.S. soldiers landing on Utah Beach, about
1,200 were black people and included troops of the
remaining battery of the 320th Balloon Battalion,
the 582nd Engineer Dump Turck Company, the
385th Quartermaster Truck Company, and the
590th Port Battalion with its 226th, 227th, 228th,
and 229 Port Companies.
 My Relatives (Who Were Heroes of Normandy)

Leslie Goffigon Jr. (1923-2018) Reverend Delaware Floyd

Harris Sr. (1921-2010)

My late 2nd cousin Leslie Goffigon Jr. was part of the Normandy invasion during World War Two. Leslie
Goffigon Jr’s parents were Lesley Goffigon (1902-1975) and my late 1st cousin Lula Peeples Goffigon (b.
1906. Lula's parents are Ray Pepples and Mary Anne Boyd. Lula's grandparents were Charles Peeples and
Fannie Fronianna Susanna Virginia Brown). Leslie Goffigon Jr.'s children are Saundra Goffigon-Rudolph
and Leslie Goffigon III (1958-2015). Leslie Goffigon Jr. was inducted into the United States Army on
March 23, 1943, when he was 20 years old. He was assigned to the 239 Port Company 393 Port Battalion
during WWII. He also was part of the Northern France Company which landed at Omaha Beach on June
6, 1944 (on D-Day). He lived in New York state to work with the U.S. Postal Service for 38 years. His
grandson is W. Aaron Steel, his sister is Helen M. Goffigon, and his nephew is Syeed A. Goffigon. Leslie
Goffigon Jr.’s wife was Mary Lee Goffigon (1932-2023). Mary Lee Goffigon (who was a professional nurse
working in New York City for 33 years) and Leslie Goffigon Jr. were married on February 20, 1954.

Reverend Delaware Floyd Harris (1921-2010) was my 2nd cousin who was also involved in the Normandy
invasion. He lived from December 15, 1921, at Courtland, Southampton County, Virginia to May 8, 2010.
His parents are Andrew Jackson Harris (1892-1984) and Emma J. Mason Harris (1893-1980). He married
Selena M. Ridley (1926-2009), and their child is Delaware Floyd Harris II (b. 1946). He lived to be 88
years old, and he was the fifth of the nine children of Emma Jane Harris and Andrew Harris. He joined
the United States Navy. According to his obituary:
“…He joined the United States Navy and served honorably during World War II on the
ship LST 520. His shipmates knew him by his nickname" Tank". Having received Christ at
an early age, it was inevitable that he would become a spiritual young man. Hence, many
of his mates turned to him during this time of war as their unofficial "chaplain" due to his
unyielding faith in God. This was to be the beginning of a lifetime of devotion to the
ministry. As reported by the published log of the captain of his warship, he and his
shipmates participated in the Normandy Invasion, and he was awarded two (2) medals of
valor and distinguished service, The Victory World War II Medal and The
European/African Theater Medal with 1 Star. He received a Letter of Commendation from
President Harry S. Truman for his "fortitude, resourcefulness, and calm judgment"
throughout his service to his country. After he was honorably discharged from the Navy,
he began working in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard as a rigger. At the same time, he earned
his high school diploma from Booker T. Washington School in Norfolk, VA. He then
earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Union University in Richmond, VA, and
a Doctor of Divinity Degree from Virginia Theological Seminary and College, in
Lynchburg, VA.

After becoming an ordained minister, he devoted his life to the ministry and pastored at
numerous churches, including, but not limited to the following churches: The Wilson
Chapel Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, VA, First Nottoway Baptist Church in Crew, VA,
Branches Run Baptist Church in Mannboro, VA, and Gravel Hill Baptist Church in Surry,
VA. It was here, at Wilson Chapel Baptist Church that he applied not only his pastoral
abilities, but his carpentry skills, as well. He built Wilson Chapel Baptist Church as a labor
of love. That love continued until illness, in 1992, made him physically unable to continue.
Throughout his life, the ministry for the Lord and the desire to build structures that would
withstand the test of time were the driving forces of his life. He built homes, commercial
buildings, and even a hospital Obici Memorial Hospital in Suffolk, VA, where he served as
one of the foremen during its construction. Dr. Harris excelled at many other professions.
He was an insurance salesman for the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company of
Durham, NC. He was a substitute teacher in the Southampton County school system, he
was a restaurateur and owner of "Star On The Roof" so well known from coast to coast for
its ham sandwiches and its barbeque.

Dr. Harris, a dedicated minister and citizen of life, was a devoted husband and father. His
marriage to his beloved, Selena Ridley Harris, lasted over 66 years, until her passing. He
leaves to cherish his memory, his only child and son, Delaware F. Harris, II, M.D., and a
daughter-in-law, Mary Robinson Harris of Los Angeles, CA; three sisters, Marian H.
Nottingham (wife of late Frederick E. Nottingham) of Richmond, VA, Mildred H. Jenkins
(wife of late Galvin L. Jenkins) of Victoria, VA, and Evelyn H. Price of Richmond, VA; a
brother-in-law, Reggie D. Ridley of Norfolk, VA; five sisters-in-law, Barbara W. Harris
(wife of late Henry C. Harris) of Courtland, VA, Emma Lou Boykins (wife of late Maynard
Boykins) of Courtland, VA, Barbery Ridley (wife of the late Willie Ridley) of Norfolk, VA,
 Floretta Ridley (wife of the late Howard Ridley) of Philadelphia, PA, and Thelma Ridley
(wife of the late Lee Ridley) of Phoenix, AZ, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and
friends…”

*Also, Reverend Delaware Floyd Harris Sr. married my mother and my father in Courtland, Southampton
County, Virginia on November 18, 1973.

Carrying their equipment, US assault troops move onto Utah Beach. Landing craft can be seen
in the background.
 FILMS THAT FEATURE THE STORY OF D-DAY

The Longest Day (1962) Saving Private Ryan (1998)
was a film based on captured the graphic nature of
Cornelius Ryan’s book war in an overt fashion for almost
about the event. This is a three hours. It was a film directed
Hollywood film with Sean by Stephen Spielberg. The movie
Connery, Robert was one of the greatest war films
Mitchum, Henry Fonda, in human history. Many U.S.
and John Wayne. Henry veterans said that the films
Fonda was a veteran of D- showed the most realistic
Day in real life. The film recreation of WWII that they have
showed the epic scale of ever seen. Tom Hanks and Matt
the Normandy invasion in Damon along with other people
full detail. starred in the movie.
Patton (1970) was a film
about the life of General
George Patton played by
George C. Scott. It was a
movie that didn’t whitewash
his life as it outlined the good
things and mistakes that he
had made in his life. It showed
the debates about Normandy
and other war tactics that the
Allied had during WWII. It also
showed Patton’s style of
military execution that
contributed to the victory on
the Western Front during
WWII.
The Big Red One
(1980) described the
account of the First
Infantry Division’s
heroics and travails.
The film starred the
WWII veteran Lee
Marvin. Marvin played
the role very well, and a
young private played
by Mark Hamill had a
role in the film too.

Ike – Countdown to Day Overlord (1975) is a black and Band of Brothers was a 2001 D-Day: Normandy 1944
(2004) focused on the white film that showed archive television war drama series (2014) is a
key role of Allied footage about what took place on (about the 2nd Battalion, 506th documentary about D-
Supreme Commander D-Day. Many people on D-Day Parachute Infantry Regiment Day that has been
Dwight Eisenhower had died before traveling to the beach of the 101st Airborne Division) narrated by Tom
in the planning and at Normandy, France. The movie based on the historian Brokaw. Francois
execution of the presented an English solider Stephen E. Ambrose’s 1992 Cluzet was involved in
Normandy invasion. being a hero. This is a very nonfiction book of the same the project too. The
Eisenhower is played by interesting feature film. name. It was created by documentary lasts for
John Selleck in this executive producers Steven 44 minutes and dealt
television movie. The film Spielberg and Tom Hanks. with the complex and
captures Eisenhower The episodes first appeared heroic nature of the
having supreme pressure on HBO on September 9, Allied response on D-
to make sure that the 2001. The series won the Day.
operation results in a Emmy and Golden Globe
success. awards for best miniseries.
 THE AFTERMATH OF NORMANDY FROM
CAEN TO THE LIBERATION OF PARIS

June 7, 1944: The British
forces start Operation Perch to
try to capture the German
occupied city of Caen. There
was erce German resistance
and miscommunication among
the British top brass that
delayed the objective from
being ful lled early.
June 10, 1944: The RAF
successfully knocked out the
Panzer Group’s West La Caine
Headquarters. British
Intelligence found out the
Panzer’s West headquarters,
and British intelligence
deciphered German signal
traf c. The Second Tactical
Air Force bombed the village.
The raid was carried out with
many bombs.
July 19-20, 1944: The
liberation of Caen existed
after weeks of ghting. After
D-Day, the Allied forces
created a beachhead along
the Normandy coast.
Canadians, Americans, and
the British moved south
towards Caen. They fought
hard against the German
troops, including an SS
Panzer Division. Allied and
Axis forces had intense
combat at Caen. After the
war, Caen was rebuilt in 14
years.
August 21, 1944: The German
position in Normandy
collapsed after erce ghting
at Hill 262. This was part of the
wider battle of the Falaise
Pocket during the Normandy
Campaign. The Allied forces
surrounded the German
Seventh Army in the town of
Falaise and the Mont Ormel
ridge. Polish forces had the
ridge’s northern height by
August 19, 1944, which led to
the Allied victory by noon,
August 19, 1944.

August 25, 1944: The liberation of Paris (French: libération de

Paris) was a military battle that took place during World War II
from August 19, 1944, until the German garrison surrendered
the French capital on August 25, 1944. The liberation began
when the French Forces of the Interior—the military structure
of the French Resistance—staged an uprising against the
German garrison upon the approach of the US Third Army, led
by General George S. Patton. General Charles de Gaulle of
the French Army arrived to assume control of the city as head
of the Provisional Government of the French Republic.
Liberated people of Paris cheered, and Josephine Baker was
a key reason for the Allied victory in Paris too.
In a time of 80 years, we have seen a transformation of the world (like the growth of the Internet,
iPhones, advanced cellphones, and virtual headsets) after the Normandy landings by the heroic
Allied powers. Over the course of many decades, the fascism shown by the evil Axis Powers didn't
end. We see a rise of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and other evils plaguing the world from
universities to others in the street. We have authoritarian leaders from Orban to others who don't
care about democratic rights. We are during the 2024 Presidential election with Trump calling
people who disagree with him "vermin" which harkens back to Nazi rhetoric. Like the fascists of the
American Liberty League back in the 1930's and 1940's, we have a MAGA movement that rejects
democracy, hates women, hates minorities (especially black and brown people), and seeks to obsess
with cultural wars as a means to promote overt, heinous bigotry, not human or spiritual
enlightenment. During the Normandy invasion, America, Britain, Canada, French freedom fighters,
and other nations united for the goal of liberating millions of people from the tyranny of Nazism.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower, General Omar Bradley, General Bernard Montgomery, and other
leaders caused D-Day to be an overt victory over the forces of tyranny. The Nazis lost D-Day because
of many reasons. Many Nazi forces were in Eastern Europe, the Allied forces used decoys to
manipulate Nazi leaders, and the Normandy invasions were specifically planned for a positive result.
D-Day involved the largest maritime invasion in human history with 156,000 soldiers and 195,700
naval personnel being used by the Allied heroes on the Western Front. Thousands of people lost
their lives, and we remember their sacrifice to this very day. The Normandy landings came about on
June 6, 1944, as part of Operation Overlord. France would be liberated fully, and this invasion laid
a great foundation for the Allied victory on the Western Front indeed.

By Timothy
 .
Waverly Woodson Jr. was an
African American combat medic,
who was wounded on Omaha
Beach in the D-Day landings. He
saved lives during that day too. In
2024, the U.S. First Army soldiers
held a ceremony in honor of
Waverly Woodson Jr. on the beach
where he came ashore. The
Distinguished Service Cross is the
2nd highest honor that can be
bestowed on a member of the US Joann Woodson, in green, is joined by
Army and is awarded for family at the headstone of her husband,
extraordinary heroism. Cpl. Waverly B. Woodson Jr., following a
ceremony at Arlington National
The medal was awarded Cemetery on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2023, in
posthumously to Woodson (via U.S.
Arlington, Va. (Kevin Wolf/AP Photo).
First Army Major General William
Ryan who gently placed the medal
on the sand, close to the location
where Woodson is thought to have
come ashore). Woodson’s widow is
95-year-old Joann. U.S. First Army
Staff Sgt. Aaron Williams, who is an
African American, was moved to
tears by the recognition of
Woodson. Woodson was part of the
First Army unit of the 320th Barrage
Balloon Battalion of the Allied
forces. About 2,000 African
American troops are said to have
taken part in the D-Day invasion.
Woodson lived to be 83 and passed
away in 2005. His son is 66-year-old
Stephen Woodson. Waverly
Woodson treated about 200
wounded men under intense re on
D-Day in 1944.

"One thing about my dad that I will always

remember is his care for other people and fellow
man. It did not matter the race of the person."
-Steve Woodson, the son of Waverly Woodson Jr.
 THE VISUAL HISTORY OF THE commemoration of
the 80TH year anniversary of D-DAY

US servicemen escort US WWII veterans in wheelchairs at
the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in
Colleville-sur-Mer in northwestern France, on June 6. Saul
Loeb/AFP/Getty Images.
Britain's King Charles III, left, and Britain's Queen Camilla,
second left, greet 104-years-old British World War II
veteran Christian Lamb, center, who helped plan the D-
Day landings in Normandy, on June 6. Ludovic
Marin/Pool/Getty Images.

France's President Emmanuel Macron, left, awards US
WWII veteran William Casassa with the insignia of Knight
in the Legion of Honour order (Chevalier de la Legion
d'Honneur) during the US ceremony marking the 80th
anniversary of the World War II D-Day Allied landings, on
June 6. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images.
President Joe Biden greets American World War II veteran
Jake Larson, before a ceremony marking the 80th
anniversary of D-Day at the Normandy American
Cemetery on June 6, in Colleville-sur-Mer, France. Win
McNamee/Getty Images.

“The American citizen soldiers knew the di erence between right and
wrong, and they didn’t want to live in a world in which wrong prevailed. So
they fought, and won, and all of us, living and yet to be born, must be
profoundly grateful.”

-Stephen Ambrose, the late World War II historian.

 The Women of D-Day
Many women were
involved in D-Day,
including the Women
Airforce Service
Pilots. They also risked
their lives on June 6,
1944. Women also
played pivotal roles in
war efforts throughout
history, assuming the
roles of nurses, spies,
“D-Day Girls: The Spies code breakers,
Who Armed the journalists, etc.
Resistance, Sabotaged the
Nazis, and Helped Win “This is not a time
World” by Sarah Rose is a Lise de Baissac
book that detailed many
when women should
parachuted into
Allied women leaders who be patient. We are in a France twice
helped to make D-Day and and was the No.
war and we need to
World War II in general a 2 commander
victory for the Allied fight it of a French
Forces. Many of the names with all our ability Resistance
of the women leaders are group ghting
Andree Borrel, Lise de and every weapon possible.” the Nazis during
Baissac, and Odette — Eleanor Roosevelt the Battle of
Sansom. Normandy.
The image above is from flickr.com

Martha Gellhorn was an expert journalist who reported on the events on D-Day. She wrote
about the Allied Forces at Normandy and later was one of the rst correspondents at the Allied
liberation of Dachau. She has written about the mass graves of people from the Holocaust and
the human beings who survived the concentration camp Dachau too.
 More Veterans of D-Day

Yogi Berra JD Salinger Medgar Evers Henry Fonda General Dwight

D. Eisenhower

Nous n’abandonnerons jamais. Nous croirons toujours en la

liberté et la justice, y compris la démocratie. Nos droits sont
importants à défendre.

Peace and Blessings Y’all