Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1944 Apology Letter On The Failed D-Day Invasion Of Europe

It reads: "Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the navy did all that bravery and devotion to duly could do. If any blame or fault is attached to the attempt it is mine alone."

Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1944 Apology Letter For The Failed D-Day Invasion Of Europe -- Policymic

On Sunday, June 4, 1944 — two days before the Allied assault on Europe that would be known as D-Day would be launched — Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower faced a decision that would forever change the course of civilization.

American President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British PM Winston Churchill had promised Russian leader Joseph Stalin they would invade Europe. They were repeatedly urged by Stalin to open a "second front" that would alleviate the enormous pressure that Germany's military was exerting on Russia. Large amounts of Soviet territory had been seized by the Germans, and the Soviet population had suffered terrible casualties from the relentless drive towards Moscow.

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My Comment: A letter that (fortunately) was never needed.

Remembering D-Day: The Longest Day

Grainy close-up: An Allied troop is seen crouching in the water off Omaha Beach, Normandy, as the second wave of troops landed on D-Day in the early hours of June 6

When Freedom Came Ashore: Stunning Shots Of Allied Troops Storming Omaha Beach In Normandy By War Photographer Robert Capa And How They Were Almost Lost Forever -- Daily Mail

* War photographer took 106 photos - but only 11 of them survived because of a blunder when processing the film
* Today marks the 69th anniversary of the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944
* Life magazine picture editor in London John Morris told staff to 'rush!' in the dark room
* In their haste, three whole rolls of film melted and over half of the fourth was destroyed
* Robert Capa's images - later named The Magnificent Eleven - are the closest any photographer got to the action
* Capa landed just off the beach in a US landing craft and took his pictures from the water

They're iconic images which capture the brutal reality of the D-Day landings 69 years ago today - but they were nearly lost forever.

War photographer Robert Capa took these remarkable close-up photos - named The Magnificent Eleven - which show Allied troops in the second wave landing on Omaha beach in Normandy on June 6, 1944.

The Hungarian bravely took 106 photographs while wading through the water just off the French coast but because of a blunder when processing the film in London, all but 11 of the images were lost.

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More News On Remembering D-Day

D-Day anniversary commemorations begin with flag-raising in France -- FOX News
Commemorations marking 69th anniversary of Allied invasion of France begin with flag-raising -- Washington Post/AP
69 Years Ago Today, the Allies Launched Massive Normandy Invasion on D-Day -- US News and World Report
U.S., British tourists gather at Omaha Beach to mark D-Day -- Washington Times
'We hold the beachhead': Incredible D-Day pictures and stories from the Mirror archives -- Mirror
D-Day's greatest lesson -- Walter R. Borneman, FOX News
Archive Footage Honors Sixty-Ninth Anniversary Of D-Day Landings -- IBTimes/Reuters
D-Day anniversary: Extraordinary footage of the Allied Forces landing in Normandy to crush Nazi Germany -- Yahoo News
PHOTOS: On This Day – 6 June 1944, D-Day Began -- Middleton Press
Before and after D-Day: Color photos from England and France, 1944 -- CNN
Normandy: Photos of the day -- Washington Post
Today in Military History: June 6, 1944; Operation Overload -- Defense News

President Reagan's Address At The Ceremony Commemorating The 40th Anniversary Of The Normandy Invasion, D-day At Point-du-Hoc - 6/6/84.

My Comment: One of the best speeches that I have ever heard .... commemorating men who deserve the recognition and honor for their bravery on that fateful day.

From The Archives: D-Day Tech

What is the Truth About America’s War Gliders?: While parachute units like the 101st Airborne division are the first thing to come to mind when considering the aerial invasion on D-Day, a significant number of troops also arrived in gliders. Importantly, the gliders were able to bring heavier equipment like jeeps and artillery to troops behind the front lines. We devoted our February 1944 cover to wonderous new world of military gilders: “What is the Truth About America’s War Gliders?” (be sure to scroll up for the play-along-at-home fun of “Can You Recognize The Flags of Our Allies”).

From Popsci.com:

On the 65th anniversary of the invasion of Normandy, a look at the then-cutting-edge military gear of D-Day, as covered in our pages.

Ever since the four-wheeled Sumerian donkey chariot was replaced by the two-wheeled horse-drawn variety, war and technological innovation have gone hand and hand. In no conflict was this more apparent than World War II--arguably the first modern war. As soldiers fought from one end of the globe to the other, scientists developed many of the technologies that underlie not only today's wars, but our daily lives: nuclear power, radar, jet propulsion and the personal computer.

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My Comment: I posted this story two years ago, but it is still a fascinating look at the military technology and know-how that was used on D-Day.

Remembering D-Day 67 Years Ago

U.S. Army troops wade ashore on Omaha Beach on the morning of 6 June 1944, as the Normandy landings begin.

Normandy Landings -- Wikipedia

The Normandy landings, also known as Operation Neptune were the landing operations of the Allied invasion of Normandy, in Operation Overlord, during World War II. The landings commenced on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 (D-Day), beginning at 6:30 AM British Double Summer Time (GMT+2). In planning, D-Day was the term used for the day of actual landing, which was dependent on final approval.

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D-Day Video/Musical Tribute

Remembering D-Day 6/6/44