Never Forget

~ beetleypete

I am posting this a day early due to time zones across the world.

Eighty years ago tomorrow, the combined forces of Great Britain, America, Canada, and soldiers from over twenty other allied countries (including Free French) invaded German-occupied France with the largest sea and air assault in history. Soldiers, sailors, aircraft crews, paratroops, and glider-borne troops descended on the Normandy coast, managing to surprise the Germans, who thought it was a diversion from the expected attack closer to Calais.

Assisted by civilians of the French Resistance and a huge logistical operation in southern England, they forced their way ashore after hard fighting in the water, on the beaches, and around the rocky outcrops facing the invaders.

For most of the military involved, it was their first time in combat. Many were sadly killed within the first few seconds, and many more during the course of the day that followed.

Had D-Day not gone ahead, the course of the war might have continued with Germany’s determination to keep fighting, and it would have lasted much longer as a result.

As the troops were landing on those beaches or dropping from the air to fight behind the lines, war was still raging around the world. British troops were fighting in Burma and Italy. Americans were also in Italy, and embroiled against the Japanese in the Pacific. Soviet troops were fighting the Germans in Eastern Europe, and resistance groups in various countries were attempting to destroy German war industries and infrastructure.

Operation Overlord, the official name for D-Day, was the most important combined military operation in human history. If it had not happened, and had not been successful, the world could be a different place today.

Sadly, we know that wars continue. But we should never allow D-Day to be forgotten, or to forget the sacrifice of the brave men who died making it possible.

54 thoughts on “Never Forget”

  2. Pingback: Never Forget | DearTedandJody

  5. While I agree wholeheartedly that this should not be forgotten, and the horrors of war brought to everyone’s attention, I am a bit uncomfortable with the way it’s remembered.

    Much of what I’ve seen is almost, to my mind, a carnival atmosphere, glorifying the deaths of those young men who died. Yes, they were brave. Yes, they were heroes. Yes, they made it possible for us to have the life we have today.

    But to send off the ferry from Portsmouth with cheers, flag-waving and fire hoses is more reminiscent of a fun time, like the end of a round the world tall ships race.

    The D-day landings were horrendous. They were incredibly important, and we should find a way to remember without making it fun.

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    1. I completely agree that the ‘celebrations’ are not solemn enough for my taste. Singers, dancers, and jazz bands, people dressed as soldiers in the 1940s smiling and waving, that’s not something I want to watch. I feel is is up to people like me to try to redress that misplaced jingoism with more serious tributes.

      Best wishes, Pete.

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    1. My 30-something four step-children have no idea about D-Day, Pete, and no interest in what they already regard as just ‘the old days’. I hope that attitude changes when they grow older.

      Best wishes, Pete.

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      1. I expect they will, Pete. At the moment they will be full of careers, family etc; living their lives. When that slows, they’ll think more about the past, both their’s and the world’s.

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  11. I visited Arromanches back in 1974, only 30 years after D-Day. It’s hard to believe that I visited that beach 50 years ago as part of a study abroad program! I would love to return someday, and explore the area further on my own.

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  13. Its big on the news here in NZ. There wasn’t much Kiwi involvement in this battle, only some RNZAF planes flying paratroopers. LtGen Fred Morgan was the planner of Operation ‘Overlord’. Gen Dwight Eisenhower was the commander. It was a pinnacle of UK-USA relationships still to this day & included Glenn Miller able to entertain on both sides of the channel & change the music scene of England.

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      1. I would like to withdraw with apologies to my fellow Kiws for stating here “There wasn’t much Kiwi involvement in this battle”.

        Up to 10,000 Kiwis served on D-Day. The great Kiwi poet Dennis Glover navigated a landing craft carrying the famous bagpiper who continued playing throughout while his comrades died around him. https://natlib.govt.nz/records/20943631

        The RAF air cover on D-Day was commanded by a Kiwi Arthur Coningham (RAF officer) – Wikipedia

        The reason I overlooked NZ involvement in D day was I’m a WW1 writer & not WW2 & also I only remembered the famous NZ commander of the Battle of Britain, the “defender of London” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Park

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  19. Pingback: Never Forget | beetleypete | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  21. It is hard to comprehend the scale of it, the intricacies of the planning, the training. And not least, keeping it a secret. Winston Churchill was right when he said never had so many owed so much to so few, although I know he was referring to fighter and bomber pilots. The bomb sites in London impressed me even at a very young age and I will never forget the courage of all those people who fought for us. It is a day that makes one very thoughtful. Thank you Pete.

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    1. I have been watching a series of documentaries on the BBC about the build-up to D-Day, and the experiences of soldiers who fought that morning and into the night. Even after a lifetime of reading about wars and WW2, I can still be amazed by the sheer scale of Operation Overlord.

      Best wishes, Pete.

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