The real lessons of D-Day

FoxNews.com ^ | June 6,2014 | Barry Strauss

[Biggirl]

The 70th anniversary of D-Day is a time of pride, gratitude and fear. Pride that the generation of ’44 had the courage to storm across the English Channel and take the Nazis’ Fortress Europa. Gratitude that their self-sacrifice has helped make it possible for us to enjoy 70 years of relative peace and prosperity. Fear that, because there is no end of war, we will one day be called upon to suffer it all again – and our soft and peaceable selves will have to prove equal to the task.

[Biggirl]

Thank-you and Thank-you again "Greatest Gereration".

[Blood of Tyrants]

It is hard to imagine that on numerous occasions we lost more men in a single day that the entire Iraq or Afghanistan wars.

[2banana]

The real lesson is that evil exists in the world and it takes great sacrifice and faith to defeat it.

[ken5050]

Exercise Tiger was a pre-invasion test of amphibious landing techniques...For many reason, it was a total disaster..946 Americans died. That is staggering to comprehedn today. It was hushed up for obvious reasons of wartime security..thus, it's almost forgotten.

You can read about it here

It sounds cynical, cold-blooded to say it, but the real lesson of D-Day..the reason the invasion succeeded, was because commanders were willing to sacrifice troops to complete the mission. Utah Beach was a near disaster, they were almost ready to pull the troops off..instead..they were sent forward...as we read about Bergdahl..and the supposed doctrine of "leave no man behind"..it's interesting to look at how that would have played out in WW II.. The invasion troops were taught one thing...it was drummed into them...do NOT stop to help your buddy if he's shot...keep going forward..get off the beach..." That's why we won..

[potlatch]

WE'LL MEET AGAIN

WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER

YANKEE DOODLE DANDY

[dfwgator]

“There are two kinds of people who are staying on this beach: those who are dead and those who are going to die. Now let’s get the hell out of here.” - Brigadier General George A. Taylor.

Note in “The Longest Day” that quote was attributed to Norman A. Cota, which is incorrect.

[ken5050]

Just one of many errors in Ryan’s book....

[MEG33]

Thank you for this beautiful tribute to these brave men.

[ken5050]

The Jimmy Cagney "Yankee Doodle Dandy" deserves to be seen as well as heard. He sure could dance...

[potlatch]

Thank you dear Meg. Made this years ago.

[potlatch]

I think I tried to pick out the ‘romantic - heart warming’ ones at the time.
Lol, I have your name down to ping and planned on spamming every D-Day thread.
Good to ‘see’ you Ken!

[Nicojones]

Excellent post. Read this as well:

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1960/11/first-wave-at-omaha-beach/303365/

[Biggirl]

Thank-you!

[Jane Long]

Thanks, Biggirl, for posting this thread honoring our “Greatest Generation”. Nothing but heartfelt thanks for every single soul who fought for our freedoms.

Thanks, potlatch, for the ping to your perfect tribute. The looks in the faces of those troops, is so touching.

Saying prayers of thanks, to all who served on D-Day.

[potlatch]

Thank you for your nice reply Jane.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Biggirl.

93-year-old WWII paratrooper marks D-Day with encore jump
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/93-year-old-wwii-paratrooper-marks-d-day-with-encore-jump/