The 100th anniversary of the D-Day invasion is now but 30 years in the future. On that date a time capsule will be opened at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France.
The sacrifice of those who participated is remembered today. The Allied invasion force, from the Navy, Army and Air Force, comprises nearly 400,000 men. Total casualties are around 12,000 for the Allied forces with 4,414 confirmed dead. Of these 2,499 are American.
On the home front it is a Tuesday. Rome had fallen the previous day. The milkman still delivers milk, workers across the nation toil in the hundreds of factories supporting the war effort. The Senators are on the road, they lost a doubleheader to the White Sox on 4 June. There next game would be 8 June in Philadelphia. Like many Americans the players were waiting for the invasion of Europe. If successful it will lead to the liberation of Europe and the defeat of NAZI Germany. The big question on the minds of many was when would the invasion take place.
At 12:37 Eastern War Time, radio stations in the US report that their monitoring stations have picked up German radio broadcasts that claim an invasion has begun. No announcement is made from Allied Headquarters in London.
Americans had been warned that the German’s might resort to trickery. Despite this phones begin ringing around the country and many turn on their radio sets. CBS News takes the unusual step of broadcasting all night.
1AM Berlin Radio makes an invasion announcement. “The long awaited British and American invasion has begun when paratroops landed in vicinity of area of the Seine estuary. The harbor of Le Havre being fiercely bombarded. German naval vessels at the coast fighting with Allied landing vessels.”
Later the German Trans Ocean Service reports, “landing craft and light warships observed at the mouth of Seine River and eastern coast of Normandy. Paratroops were dropped from numerous aircraft on the northern part of the Normandy peninsula. Their objective is to capture airfields to facilitate landing of troops.”
No announcement from London but in the early morning hours lights are on in many homes. The only news, London broadcasts a message to Holland calling for an evacuation of personnel 18 miles from the coast.
Meanwhile German radio broadcasts continue to report the landing of Allied airborne troops on the Normandy peninsula.
At 330 AM radio listeners are told that in ten seconds there will be a special announcement from the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force. The seconds pass, then there is this, “Allied forces have landed on the northern coast of France supported by Naval and Air Forces.” An announcement by General Dwight D Eisenhower follows announcing the landing on northern coast of France.
Back home citizens gather and listen to the radio. The public response is somber; many have family or friends in the invasion forces. Citizens pray, politicians give speeches. But the words of General Dwight Eisenhower still resound today.
“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 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.”
“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 and devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!”
‘Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”
The major radio networks, like CBS, continue broadcasting through the early morning hours. But information about the invasion is sketchy. During the day, interspersed with news reports are the regular broadcasts of “Perry Mason,” “Second Husband” and “Our Gal Sunday.”
The war would continue but there is a faint light at the end of the tunnel.
