First Wave at Omaha Beach - a recounting by military historian S.L.A. Marshall from 1960

The Atlantic ^ | N O V E M B E R 1 9 6 0 | S.L.A. Marshall

[risk]

When he was promoted to officer rank at eighteen, S. L. A. MARSHALL was the youngest shavetail in the United States Army during World War I. He rejoined the Army in 1942, became a combat historian with the rank of colonel; and the notes he made at the time of the Normandy landing are the source of this heroic reminder. Readers will remember his frank and ennobling book about Korea, THE RIVER AND THE GAUNTLET, which was the result of still a third tour of duty.

[risk]

A friend of mine at work sent me the link to this harrowing article on the 116th Infantry, 29th Division's experiences on the beach in the first wave. He accompanied the link with the following quote by John G. Burkhalter:

"Everything was to their advantage and to our disadvantage, except one thing, the righteous cause for which we are fighting - liberation and freedom."

[tutstar]

bttt

[centurion316]

During the summer of 1964, I lived with the family of MG Harry W. O. Kinnard at Ft. Benning, Georgia. Gen Kinnard was then commanding the 11th Air Assault Division which was in due course to become the 1st Air Cavalry Division of Vietnam fame. I was a high school kid working as a life guard at the officer's club swimming pool.

Among the house guests in the Kinnard household that summer was one S.L.A. Marshall who was visiting in anticipation of the divison's impending deployment to Vietnam. I had read most of Marshall's books at that stage of my young life and this apparently impressed Gen. Marshall. I spent quite of bit of time with him and he told me many stories, including a number about D-Day.

Years passed and I came to command a battalion of my Regiment, the 16th United States Infantry, years after having experienced combat in Vietnam as a long range reconaissance platoon leader and rifle company commander. One of my great pleasures commanding in the 16th Infantry Regiment was the annual visit of veterans for Big Red One Week. On one of these occasions, I have the privilege and later pleasure of coming to know Captain Joe Dawson, who was the first to lead his company off Omaha Beach and gain the heights where today sits the American Cemetery. He, and others, told us young soldiers the tales of D-Day, much as I had heard them years earlier from S.L.A Marshall. I hold their performance on that day in awe, we who were not there can scarcely imagine how courage was common virtue and where cruel fate, not competence determined who would live and who would die.

You cannot live in this country and enjoy the fruits of our freedoms without falling down on your knees and thanking God Almighty that our country should have produced men such as these.

At the going down of the Sun, and in the morning, we shall remember them.

[Burkeman1]

Rommell really beefed up the Atlantic Wall before D-Day. If Hitler had released the Panzer divisions from Calais right away then D-Day might have turned out differently. I can't imagine a worse situation to be in if your American soldier than that day. Corregidor or Iwo Jima might have been worse.

[Freedom_Is_Not_Free]

Thank you for the fascinating and gut-wrenching post.

[RLK]

Rommell really beefed up the Atlantic Wall before D-Day. If Hitler had released the Panzer divisions from Calais right away then D-Day might have turned out differently.

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Rommel had wanted to move heavy reinforcements closer to the beach, but was overruled. If he had had his way the invasion would have been relelled. Additionally, had the German air force was not used. four or five napalm bombs would have destroyed the allies. I might have more to say about this later.

[Burkeman1]

"Napalm"? Was that even a weapon in WWII?

[RaceBannon]

yes

[DensaMensa]

Interesting.

[Burkeman1]

Was it used late in the war? How extensive was it's use? After I posted that question I seemed to remember a History Channel show it which "Napalm" was used in WWII? It wasn't much used as I recall?

[Incorrigible]

Bump for my Uncle Neil and my Uncle Charlie. Both landed and lived to tell about it.

[Vinnie]

My brother was on one of the LCIs. He was in the Coast Guard and brought troops to the beach.

He never really talked about it, not that he wouldn't have if asked.

His oldest son, my nephew, took him to see 'Private Ryan'.

He relived the hell of that day. He needed to talk about it after that experience.

He told me that he was bringing a National Guard unit from Va. to the beach. When he lowered the ramp the Germans simply mowed them down. The boat next to his on both sides were hit with artillery and sank with all aboard.

How could these men face almost certain death and function?

I can't answer that.

My brother went on to become an ordained Presbyterian minister and a missionary, specializing in agriculture. He passed away almost 2 yrs. ago. I miss him.

I need to take a break.

[Prodigal Son]

Bump

[RLK]

"Napalm"? Was that even a weapon in WWII?

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In addition to being used in bombs, it was used in flamethrowers. As we were taught in training, "a firm rod and a bushy flame..."

[WorkingClassFilth]

Over the course of my life, I have read many accounts of actions at D-Day and the amphibious assaults in the Pacific.

Every time I am speechless.

[RaceBannon]

Maries used it many times in the pacific, I am sure we used it in Europe, too

[RaceBannon]

Marines used it many times in the pacific, I am sure we used it in Europe, too

[RaceBannon]

take all the time you need. Semper Fi to your Brother.

[Burkeman1]

I knew it was used in flame throwers but I didn't know it was used that much in the form of bombs from planes? The Germans had flame throwers in WWI but was that true "napalm"?

[Estra Jean]

"At the going down of the Sun, and in the morning, we shall remember them."

Amen.