Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

FReeper Canteen ~ D-Day, June 6, 1944 ~ 06 June 2012
Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

Posted on 06/05/2012 5:59:22 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska





~ FReeper Canteen Presents ~

~ D-DAY, June 6, 1944 ~


NORMANDY INVASION

May 1944 had been chosen at the conference in Washington in May 1943 as the time for the invasion. Difficulties in assembling landing craft forced a postponement until June, but June 5 was fixed as the unalterable date by Eisenhower on May 17. As the day approached and troops began to embark for the crossing, bad weather set in, threatening dangerous landing conditions. After tense debate, Eisenhower and his subordinates decided on a 24-hour delay, requiring the recall of some ships already at sea. Eventually, on the morning of June 5, Eisenhower, assured by chief meteorologist James Martin Stagg of a break in the weather, announced, “O.K. We'll go.” Within hours an armada of 3,000 landing craft, 2,500 other ships, and 500 naval vessels—escorts and bombardment ships—began to leave English ports. That night 822 aircraft, carrying parachutists or towing gliders, roared overhead to the Normandy landing zones. They were a fraction of the air armada of 13,000 aircraft that would support D-Day.

Click for the rest of the story






Canteen Mission Statement

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies' military
and family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.





January 1944 meeting of Operation Overlord Commanders, General Eisenhower, Walter B. Smith, Omar Bradley, Arthur Tedder, Bernard Montgomery, Trafford Leigh-Mallory and Bertram Ramsay. The Eisenhower Presidential Library

GENERAL EISENHOWER’S MESSAGE SENT JUST PRIOR TO THE INVASION

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon a 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, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory!

Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

-- Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower

D-DAY AIRBORNE AND BEACH ASSAULT

The Normandy beaches were chosen by planners because they lay within range of air cover, and were less heavily defended than the obvious objective of the Pas de Calais, the shortest distance between Great Britain and the Continent. Airborne drops at both ends of the beachheads were to protect the flanks, as well as open up roadways to the interior. Six divisions were to land on the first day; three U.S., two British and one Canadian. Two more British and one U.S. division were to follow up after the assault division had cleared the way through the beach defenses.

Click for the rest of the story

LINKS


Leaders and Generals

Veteran’s Oral Histories

Combat Video

Interactive Charts & Maps

War Documents

Learning Activities


American Patrol

The Army Air Corps

G I Jive

A Fellow On A Furlough

A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square


AIRBORNE MUSEUM HOUSES ONE-OF-A-KIND ARTIFACTS
THAT HONOR HISTORIC JUMP DURING D-DAY INVASION

SAINTE MERE EGLISE, France - This town loves paratroopers - in particular, American paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne and the 101st Airborne Divisions.


Phillip Myers of Saratoga Springs, a D-Day paratrooper with the 101st Airbourne Division, salutes during a D-Day survivors reunion June 4, 2011, in Colonie. (John Carl D'Annibale / Times Union)

It was those two divisions that liberated Sainte Mere Eglise June 7, 1944, making it the first town in France to be liberated during World War II.

To show their appreciation for the veterans, an Airborne Museum opened here in 1964. A non-profit organization, all proceeds go back into the museum to pay for upkeep, new exhibits or extensions. The money is also used to provide decorations and celebrations for the anniversary of D-Day, travel for veterans, and exhibitions outside France. A large donation was also made to The National World War II museum in New Orleans, La.

The rest of the story

Bugle Call Rag

Don’t Sit Under The Apple Tree

Jeep Jockey Jump

Moonlight Serenade

Enlisted Men’s Mess


SOLDIERS PREP TO SUPPORT D-DAY CEREMONIES FOR
65TH ANNIVERSARY OF INVASION

Senior staff members of Task Force Normandy 65 pose in front of a German gun post at Pointe du Hoc, France. Task Force Normandy 65 is in France providing support and ceremonial command and control for the 65th anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 2009. Pointe du Hoc is the site of the 2nd Ranger Battalion's assault on a German stronghold during D-Day. Photo credit Sgt. Fay Conroy, 21st Theater Sustainment Command Public Affairs

Click for the rest of the story

NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in France is located on the site of the temporary American St. Laurent Cemetery, established by the U.S. First Army on June 8, 1944 and the first American cemetery on European soil in World War II. The cemetery site, at the north end of its ½ mile access road, covers 172.5 acres and contains the graves of 9,387 of our military dead, most of whom lost their lives in the D-Day landings and ensuing operations. On the Walls of the Missing in a semicircular garden on the east side of the memorial are inscribed 1,557 names. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified.

Click for the rest of the story



Please remember that The Canteen is here to support
and entertain our troops and veterans and their families,
and is family friendly.





TOPICS: Culture/Society; FReeper Editorial; Free Republic
KEYWORDS: canteen; dday; military; troopsupport
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-99 last
To: Kathy in Alaska

Thanks Kathy!

{{HUGS}}

Blackie


81 posted on 06/06/2012 12:19:26 PM PDT by blackie (Be Well~Be Armed~Be Safe~Molon Labe!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: real saxophonist

.


82 posted on 06/06/2012 1:07:08 PM PDT by real saxophonist (Proud to have been beat up and shot by the late Paul Gomez. RIP, 'Gnomez'.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: AngelesCrestHighway

Welcome to the Canteen, AngelesCrestHighway...great picture of a Higgins boat. (I just learned what the boats were called last evening.)


83 posted on 06/06/2012 1:17:23 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska

“Andrew Higgins is the man who won the war for us.”
-President Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1964 interview

The President went on to explain: “If Higgins had not designed and built those LCVPs (Landing Craft, Vehicle and Personnel), we never could have landed over an open beach. The whole strategy of the war would have been different.”

And as Colonel Joseph H. Alexander, USMC (Ret) said, “The Higgins boats broke the gridlock on the ship-to-shore movement. It is impossible to overstate the tactical advantages this craft gave U.S. amphibious commanders in World War II.”


84 posted on 06/06/2012 1:56:24 PM PDT by 21twelve
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 83 | View Replies]

To: real saxophonist
Thanks, real saxophonist, for sharing your Dad's experience. And we thank him for his service to our country.


85 posted on 06/06/2012 2:12:09 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska
D-Day just one of many battles in effort to defeat Germans, WWII survivor says
86 posted on 06/06/2012 3:09:28 PM PDT by SandRat (Duty - Honor - Country! What else needs said?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Chgogal
What an amazing feat America and her Allies entered into that day. What leaders we had-Backbones of steel.

Needs repeating!!

Thanks for the video as well...quite interesting.

Graphics and YouTubes blocked at work.....got out my iPad to see and listen.

87 posted on 06/06/2012 4:27:58 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: MEG33

Good afternoon, Meg...((HUGS))...beautiful remembrance, and thanks for the link.


88 posted on 06/06/2012 4:32:41 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska ((~RIP Brian...the Coast Guard lost a good one.~))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: tomkow6

And chalk up a win for the Cubbies!


89 posted on 06/06/2012 4:34:34 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 56 | View Replies]

To: Arrowhead1952

Woohoo! How was your first day at your new job?

Did you play well with others?


90 posted on 06/06/2012 4:57:42 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska

Wonderful thread celebrating our heroes Kathy & thank you for it! *Hugs*

Eternal gratitude to all who serve!


91 posted on 06/06/2012 5:12:56 PM PDT by AZamericonnie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 90 | View Replies]

To: mountainlion

Thanks, mountainlion....really cool video of the HIggins boats.


92 posted on 06/06/2012 5:14:59 PM PDT by Kathy in Alaska
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska

Thank you, Kathy.
(((HUGS)))


93 posted on 06/06/2012 5:55:57 PM PDT by MEG33 (O Lord, Guide Our Nation)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 88 | View Replies]

To: ConorMacNessa

Where can I get a copy of this, of the Grey Brigade?


94 posted on 06/06/2012 6:18:01 PM PDT by GulfWar1Vet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: GulfWar1Vet
Freepmail me your email addy and I'll send it to you.



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

95 posted on 06/06/2012 6:51:51 PM PDT by ConorMacNessa (HM/2 USN, 3/5 Marines RVN 1969 - St. Michael the Archangel defend us in Battle!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 94 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska

Went great, but the head ranger can talk the ears of an elephant. He never shut up for the entire 8 hours.


96 posted on 06/06/2012 7:52:42 PM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (It's time to take out the trash in DC.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 90 | View Replies]

To: Kathy in Alaska
If anyone's looking for a good book to read, find a copy of 'Parachute Infantry', by David Kenyon Webster. One of the 'Band of Brothers', but it's told from his perspective, not that of a historian.
97 posted on 06/07/2012 9:07:06 AM PDT by real saxophonist (Proud to have been beat up and shot by the late Paul Gomez. RIP, 'Gnomez'.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 85 | View Replies]

To: Perseverando

Catching up....

Welcome to the Canteen, Perseverando. Thanks for the link to the National D-Day Memorial. Looks like a good place to visit and learn more about D-Day.


98 posted on 06/11/2012 1:02:38 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 79 | View Replies]

To: All
Click the pic for ….

Remembering Our Troops!



NOTE: CANTEEN MUSIC
Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.

99 posted on 06/11/2012 1:07:24 AM PDT by Kathy in Alaska
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 98 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-99 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson