June 6, 1944, 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of
heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches
of Normandy, France. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a
crusade in which “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More
than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and
by day’s end on June 6, the Allies gained a foot- hold in Normandy. The
D-Day cost was high -more than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or
wounded -- but more than 100,000 Soldiers began the march across Europe
to defeat Hitler.
"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....
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 June 6
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