• 66th Normandy Invasion Anniversary Thread
    42 replies, posted
Every year needs one. Thread music and video: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSJ8rDlBZ_I[/media] [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Overlord[/url] [quote]Operation Overlord was the code name for the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy Landings (commonly known as D-Day). A 12,000-plane airborne assault preceded an amphibious assault involving almost 7,000 vessels. Nearly 160,000 troops crossed the English Channel on 6 June; more than 3 million troops were in France by the end of August.[12][13] Allied land forces that saw combat in Normandy on D-Day itself came from Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Free French forces and Poland also participated in the battle after the assault phase, and there were also minor contingents from Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Greece, the Netherlands, and Norway.[14] Other Allied nations participated in the naval and air forces. Once the beachheads were secured, a three-week military buildup occurred on the beaches before Operation Cobra, the operation to break out from the Normandy beachhead, began. The battle for Normandy continued for more than two months, with campaigns to expand the foothold on France, and concluded with the closing of the Falaise pocket on 24 August, the liberation of Paris on 25 August, and the German retreat across the Seine which was completed on 30 August 1944.[15][/quote] On this day, June 6th, in the year of 1944, an allied expeditionary force consisting of multiple countries (namely the British Empire, France, and the United States) landed and dropped 160,000+ troops on the beaches and farmlands of the region of Normandie in France. This was the first successful attempt at a foothold in Western Europe, creating a second front in addition to the one managed by the Soviets in eastern Europe. This forced Germany to divert manpower, supplies, and machinery to two different areas, which had a significant toll on the Nazi regime and undoubtedly shortened the war by a great amount of time. But i'm sure you know all this. So onto the pictures. [img]http://localcrank.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/normandy_invasion_june_1944.jpg[/img] Here we have the most famous picture of the landings, these being American forces departing from LCTs after the beach had been secured. Several barrage balloons are visible, which are there to prevent enemy aircraft from strafing the ships. Ironically, only two German aircraft were able to take to the skies on that day. [img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2e/Normandy_Invasion_June_1944.jpg[/img] Here we have yet another view of a beach after being secured. Pictured are several wrecked vehicles, obstacles, ships, and dead bodies. [img]http://students.umf.maine.edu/~beauremp/worldwartwo/normandy.jpg[/img] An extremely rare photo taken in the process of the landings themselves, showing an American GI struggling to the shore. [img]http://www.history.army.mil/images/Reference/normandy/pics/Normandy458.jpg[/img] American paratroopers of the 101st airborne readying to board a C-47. [img]http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/wp-content/photos/dday05.jpg[/img] The inside of a C-47 with a full load. [img]http://blogs.denverpost.com/captured/wp-content/photos/dday14.jpg[/img] Wounded British soldiers on Sword beach. [img]http://www.vcepinc.org/D-Day_files/image017.jpg[/img] Canadian Soldiers approaching Juno beach. [img]http://www.vcepinc.org/D-Day_files/image036.jpg[/img] Point Du Hoc, a sheer cliffside area scaled by American Rangers with the intent on silencing German Heavy artillery, present day. [img]http://www.vcepinc.org/D-Day_files/image053.jpg[/img] A reenactment of the Airborne landings in 2005. [img]http://www.vcepinc.org/D-Day_files/image055.jpg[/img] American War Cemetary, each cross or star a man who fell on that day. [img]http://www.vcepinc.org/D-Day_files/image040.jpg[/img] 4000 union jack flags placed by British school children on gold beach. More Photos here [url]http://www.vcepinc.org/D-Day.htm[/url]
Just one of many important landmarks during WWII
Every man involved in the invasion received a from General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied forces: "Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon the 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 opressed 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 Victoroy! Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking." Lest we forget.
Very nice job on this thread mastermaul.
:patriot: Other countries that aided too, of course.
Everyone should pay their respects, as I give mine.
[QUOTE=TheMourge;22411387]Everyone should pay their respects, as I give mine.[/QUOTE] This. Everyone should give their respect to the American British and Canadian men who died this day to free Europe from Nazi oppression.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTGrjcgSeAA[/media] honor
[QUOTE=TheMourge;22411387]Everyone should pay their respects, as I give mine.[/QUOTE] :patriot: P.S My avatar.
[QUOTE=Sir_takeslot;22411415]This. Everyone should give their respect to the American British and Canadian men who died this day to free Europe from Nazi oppression.[/QUOTE] Don't forget the frenchies who bravely charged the flower meadows, baguettes at high-port. Just kidding, :love: you france.
In approximately three hours the first C-47s would be taking off from British Airfields.
[QUOTE=CabooseRvB;22411527]In approximately three hours the first C-47s would be taking off from British Airfields.[/QUOTE] Dude it's 10:32 in the morning GMT... the landings would have started four hours ago.
A couple of years back when my dad was still in 1 Para he jumped in on D-Day. I didn't go see him but it was on the television.
Those soldiers deserve to be honoured :britain:
The 66th anniversary of 06.06.44. Coincidence ?
May all the soldiers who fought rest in peace. :patriot:
[QUOTE=ChestyMcGee;22411680]Dude it's 10:32 in the morning GMT... the landings would have started four hours ago.[/QUOTE] I was referring to my own timezone here. :P
[QUOTE=Laserbeams;22411730]The 66th anniversary of 06.06.44. Coincidence ?[/QUOTE] Nah. The Supreme Allied Commander obviously planned that in 66 years, that people would look back and realise that the date would spell 66, so they chose that date.
[QUOTE=Laserbeams;22411730]The 66th anniversary of 06.06.44. Coincidence ?[/QUOTE] Yes.
Mmm I have better thread music / video. Much more related song. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrJAwCBbnuc[/media] Video gives me shivers.
Good op, liked the thread music/video.
Paying my respects by having a Band of Brothers-a-thon.
We went to france last year, but missed Obama. On the highway we saw what was left of his escort heading back to paris.
:patriot: Rest in piece, brave soldiers. Without you, the world would be probably worse than it is today.
:patriot:
As much as I respect today's soldiers on the front-lines and elsewhere, it is truly to these men that we owe our freedom. Lest we forget.
Like i do respect all allied soldiers who fought on the beaches but....What about the norwegian soldiers, YES they were there and yes they were a minority, but seriously. We sank the goddamn Donau WITH A FUCKING INFLATABE RAFT....and explosives, courtesy of you england. If the germans had the donau at their disposal the african war with the desert fox migth not have ended when it was supposed to and more troops woulda been sent to normandie.....Also norwegian veterans dont get any credit...they werent even allowed to attend the party at normadie beach with Obama last year But, Rest in peace Soldiers of peace, crush any oppsition againts world peace.
[QUOTE=Jallen;22413729]Mmm I have better thread music / video. Much more related song. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrJAwCBbnuc[/media] Video gives me shivers.[/QUOTE] How is that a good thread music? Rock? [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a23ibUHxlNY[/media]
:canada: Juno Beach
RIP the many whom died that day. At least they took some nazis with them.
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