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This day 68 years ago


Vertigo

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Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a great crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers in arms on other fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened, he will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to victory!

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!

Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower

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A little behind the power curve but nevertheless...

https://www.facebook....&type=1

I hope the link works, it connects to my magazine's FB page (the boss loves 'social media). I've always found the photo fascinating because of the "rest of the story."

This photo shows the "stick" of Lt. Col. Robert Wolverton, CO of the 3rd Bn, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division. The C-47, named "Stoy Hora" was from the 440th Troop Carrier Squadron. Of the men in this picture five would be killed on D-Day (Including Col. Wolverton) and nine would become POWs (of that nine, five would be 'released' on June 8, two would escape later on during the war and two more would noy see freedom until April 1945)

Edited by aceart
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:beer: to the greatest generation.

I was proud to be out in the system and getting the job done, on the day my squadron was dropping the 101st Airborne 68 years ago.

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I just got back from there, was out the 4th through 7th, amazing. If you are going to visit Normandy, go on D-Day. The French really put on a good show for everyone out there. I'll post some pics in a bit.

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