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KenC Admin 
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Yesterday was the 65th anniversary of D-Day...the Normandy Invasion...and it slipped my mind. This is how great acts of courage and sacrifice are diminished...when we forget. The 1st Infantry Division's, 16th Infantry Regiment (as it had in the amphibious assualts on Tripoli and Sicily) spearheaded the invasion...this time at Omaha Beach. The 16th, I am told, 1st to hit the beach, lost almost 1600 KIA/WIA within the 1st few hours. FROM WIKIPEDIA: The Normandy Landings were the first operations of the Allied invasion of Normandy, also known as Operation Neptune and Operation Overlord, during World War II. The landings commenced on June 6, 1944 (D-Day), beginning at 6:30 British Double Summer Time (UTC+2). In planning, D-Day was the term used for the day of actual landing, which was dependent on final approval. Omaha Beach Main article: Omaha Beach  Survivors of a sunken troop transport wade ashore on Omaha BeachElements of the 1st Infantry Division and 29th Infantry Division (US) faced the veteran German 352nd Infantry Division, one of the best trained on the beaches. Allied intelligence failed to realize that the relatively low-quality 716th Infantry Division (static) had been replaced by the 352nd the previous March. Omaha was also the most heavily fortified beach, with high bluffs defended by funneled mortars, machine guns, and artillery, and the pre-landing aerial and naval bombardment of the bunkers proved to be ineffective. Difficulties in navigation caused the majority of landings to drift eastwards, missing their assigned sectors and the initial assault waves of tanks, infantry and engineers took heavy casualties. Of the 16 tanks that landed upon the shores of Omaha Beach only 2 survived the landing. The official record stated that "within 10 minutes of the ramps being lowered, [the leading] company had become inert, leaderless and almost incapable of action. Every officer and sergeant had been killed or wounded [...] It had become a struggle for survival and rescue". Only a few gaps were blown in the beach obstacles, resulting in problems for subsequent landings. The heavily defended draws, the only vehicular routes off the beach, could not be taken and two hours after the first assault the beach was closed for all but infantry landings. Commanders (including General Omar Bradley) considered abandoning the beachhead, but small units of infantry, often forming ad hoc groups, supported by naval artillery and the surviving tanks, eventually infiltrated the coastal defenses by scaling the bluffs between strongpoints. Further infantry landings were able to exploit the initial penetrations and by the end of the day two isolated footholds had been established. American casualties at Omaha on D-Day numbered around 5,000 out of 50,000 men, most in the first few hours, while the Germans suffered 1,200 killed, wounded or missing. The tenuous beachhead was expanded over the following days, and the original D-Day objectives were accomplished by D+3. |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS 
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Oh Ken you just have allot on your mind. I've watched a few shows on the History channel the past 3 days that were good information and good for historical reflection too. They are called the greatest Generation and for good reason. We must always remember.... |
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Paxman 3T WIS 
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No worries Ken. None of us ever forget the anniversary of D-Day. One of the best accounts I've ever read of the day's events can be found in Stephen E. Ambrose's excellent book, "D-Day." A truly engrossing read on a day that surely will live on in the memories of many. |
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hucky 3T WIS 
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I spent the day with my Dad, we watched the Event on TV Hes a World War 2 Vet hand6.gif |
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teddyhanna Guest
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hand6.gif |
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KenC Admin
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Paxman wrote: No worries Ken. None of us ever forget the anniversary of D-Day. One of the best accounts I've ever read of the day's events can be found in Stephen E. Ambrose's excellent book, "D-Day." A truly engrossing read on a day that surely will live on in the memories of many. PAX...while the Longest Day was a fantastic read, it was more about the Airborne operation. The best book, IMO, ever written about the amphibious invasion of Omaha Beach is, Omaha Beach: D-Day June 6, 1944 by Joseph Balkoskie. http://www.amazon.com/Omaha-Beach-D-Day-June-1944/product-reviews/0811733769?pageNumber=2 It is written from the perspective of the 29th Infantry Division's mission - to support the 16th Regimental Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Division on the Easy Red sector of Omaha Beach. |
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Paxman 3T WIS
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KenC wrote: Paxman wrote:No worries Ken. None of us ever forget the anniversary of D-Day. One of the best accounts I've ever read of the day's events can be found in Stephen E. Ambrose's excellent book, "D-Day." A truly engrossing read on a day that surely will live on in the memories of many. Thanks for the tip, buddy. I'll have to look that read up.  |
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scottran 3T WIS 
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Didnt forget. My Grandpap was part of the invasion force. Those men who forged on through the barrage of fire on the beaches of Normandy to free Europe were true Heroes in my book. I didnt get to know my Grandpap as he died when I was only 3 years old. My dad and uncle tell me of the things about my Grandpaps life. Wish I had a "Field of Dreams" moment where I could sit down with Pap and just talk. |
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KenC Admin
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Strangely, there are some interesting statistics comparing veterans of WWII and Vietnam. Understand, I have always held these WWII Veterans in the highest esteem, and could not even imagine going thru something like the Normandy invasion, but because of many myths, it seems as though Vietnam Veterans are held in somewhat less esteem and falsely accused of "losing the war" and that is wrong. Thru no fault of their own, the media painted a very black picture of them and continues to do so. Here are a couple of points of fact: Myth: The United States lost the war in Vietnam. Fact: The American military was not defeated in Vietnam. The American military did not lose a battle of any consequence. From a military standpoint, it was almost an unprecedented performance. General Westmoreland quoting Douglas Pike, a professor at the University of California, Berkley a major military defeat for the VC and NVA. FACT: THE UNITED STATES DID NOT LOSE THE WAR IN VIETNAM, THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE DID. Read on........ The fall of Saigon happened 30 April 1975, two years AFTER the American military left Vietnam. The last American troops departed in their entirety 29 March 1973. FACT: How could we lose a war we had already stopped fighting? We fought to an agreed stalemate. The peace settlement was signed in Paris on 27 January 1973.
1) The average infantryman in the South Pacific during World War II saw about 40 days of combat in four years 2) The average infantryman in Europe during World War II saw about 80 days of combat in four years. 3) The average infantryman in Vietnam saw about 240 days of combat in one year thanks to the mobility of the helicopter One out of every 10 Americans who served in Vietnam was a casualty. 58,148 were killed and 304,000 wounded out of 2.7 million who served. Although the percent that died is similar to other wars, amputations or crippling wounds were 300 percent higher than in World War II.... 75,000 Vietnam veterans are severely disabled. MEDEVAC helicopters flew nearly 500,000 missions. Over 900,000 patients were airlifted (nearly half were American). The average time lapse between wounding to hospitalization was less than one hour. As a result, less than one percent of all Americans wounded, who survived the first 24 hours, died. The helicopter provided unprecedented mobility. Without the helicopter it would have taken three times as many troops to secure the 800-mile border with Cambodia and Laos (the politicians thought the Geneva Conventions of 1954 and the Geneva Accords or 1962 would secure the border). Myth: The Common belief is that the domino theory was proved false. Fact: The domino theory was accurate. The ASEAN (Association of Southeast >Asian Nations) countries, Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand stayed free of Communism because of the U.S. commitment to Vietnam. The Indonesians threw the Soviets out in 1966 because of America 's commitment in Vietnam. Without that commitment, Communism would have swept all the way to the Malacca Straits that is south of Singapore and of great strategic importance to the free world. If you ask people who live in these countries that won the war in Vietnam, they have a different opinion from the American news media. The Vietnam War was the turning point for Communism. These may seem like some selfish comments on my part, and not to take anything away from "the greatest generation", but as I get older, I get slightly more pissed about the way we were treated by our "fellow" Americans. I apologize for the rant and hope it doesn't detract from my original post...I am truly upset that I forgot yesterday's significance. |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS
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Ken it is a shame how both Korea Era and Nam Era vets were treated. Neither of my grandfathers were in WW2 but there brothers (Great uncles) were and great great uncles were in WW1. My dads family line has been in North America going back to the late 1690's and have had members in every war in that time to now. Dad one of 5 brothers was in both Korea and Nam and his 4 brothers served also 3 in Nam and older brother injured in Korea. The statement of combat is hell can not really be known unless you have seen it. I'm a Coldwar vet and was in the Navy. Sadly I did see some hell and don't care to or like talking about it. Many vets are that way some do talk about it though. I have allot of respect for all who served but also know not all can or are meant to serve and that is fine. There is no dishonor in that. Just as each component of a watch has a function so dose each person in life and it's not the same for every component or person. ;) |
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scottran 3T WIS
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To Ken, Skip and all who served. I have the utmost respect and gratitude to all who have served in our armed forces. The brave men who risked everything in the Revolutionary war that gave us our freedom. The Civil War, where brother fought agianst brother for their ideals and to preserve the Union of this great Country. WWI, when our men fought in our young and untested military to defeat the German Army. Of course WWII where our men drove back fascism against the Axis Powers. The men who fought in N Korea a "Police Action". The first time politicians really got thier hands into fighting a war and still managed to get the job done. Vietnam, where our Military had to fight 2 wars, the one on the battlefield and the one against the politicians and the drive by media. If it werent for the agenda driven media, there may have been a greatly different outcome. I know who really won that war and I think those that are truely informed know. I have the greatest respect for those who served with valor and honor. My heart aches for you most due to the way you all were treated back home and still to this day any military action is refered to being "as bad as Vietnam', which is BS. Those who fight the global war on terror. You too, are not supported by the media and your succese are not known to many due to this. Again, those of us who look to find the truth know what you have accomplished. And, finally, those who serve when we are not at war. You have stood ready for the call to defend freedom. We all have to respect that. In times of peace you have kept our military on the ready so we could respond in a moments notice. I should also mention the families of those who have served. They to have sacrificed. They have to go about their daily lives and keep things moving at home while their spouse is protecting the Country. I know I have left out a few but I think you get the gist of how I feel. To all the guys and gals who served this great counry all the way back to the seeds of the Revolution i say Thank You! Sorry for rambling on. If I have offended anyone feel free to give me a tongue lashing in PM. |
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Skipdawg 3T WIS
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Scott thanks much for that post! ;) |
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sparkii 3T WIS 
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No tongue lashings here!!!I agree will everything that was said and second the thoughts!!! |
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stormin13 3T WIS 
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Good job Ken, as a country we should never forget the sacrifice that so few men and women have made to protect the freedoms that the rest of the USA takes for granted. It is very interesting how many military service families have been defending our freedom for multiple generations. In my family my grandfather served in WWI and WWII, my dad served for 20 years as an Air Force pilot to include 3 tours in Vietnam, I served for 22 years as an Air Force pilot to include Desert Storm and numerous other locations. Now one of my nephews is going to become a CRO (Combat Rescue Officer) in the Air Force and my 10 year old daughter wants to become a special ops pilot like her dad. As a disabled veteran it still surprises me how many of my fellow Texans thank me for my service, fly the American Flag and constantly support our troops. I can't speak for the rest of the nation but here in Texas we have not and will not forget the price of freedom! Oh, and just because the 65 Anniversary of D-Day slipped your mind for a few hours doesn't mean you forgot the importance of the day. Thanks for the very interesting information on D-Day and Vietnam. For my family and myself there is no difference between a WWII, Korea, Vietnam, military peacetime service, Desert Storm, Iraq, Afghanistan and etc. veteran; they are all heros! Thanks for your service to our country, cheers. Norm |
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Paladin 3T WIS 
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scottran wrote: And, finally, those who serve when we are not at war. You have stood ready for the call to defend freedom. We all have to respect that. In times of peace you have kept our military on the ready so we could respond in a moments notice. I should also mention the families of those who have served. They to have sacrificed. They have to go about their daily lives and keep things moving at home while their spouse is protecting the Country. Once again Scott thank you for your post! Bill |
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murphy j 3T WIS 
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Good post Ken, and Scott. I spent this last weekend at Drill and was dissappointed that nobody in the senior leadership made mention of D-Day. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt as it was a busy drill. We were making preparations for our upcoming Annual Training. |
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