TODAY IS 82ND ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY
82nd Anniversary Today. What was the 82nd Airborne doing today 82 years ago?
Prof. Clifford Thies writes:
Our 82nd and 101nd Airborne Divisions and the British 6th Airborne Divisions were dropped behind the front lines to seize key bridges and crossroads and to generally disrupt enemy operations back there.
While the weather in the channel became sufficiently good for the amphibious part of the invasion of northern France, the weather inland was still terrible for the airborne part. The planes of the airborne part lost formation and paratroopers were badly scattered. The entire chain of command was disorganized.
At this point, something wonderful happened. Individual soldiers found each other and assumed responsibility for the mission as best as they could. Privates became generals and sergeants became field marshalls.
Their initiative was the exact opposite of the "Fuhrer principle" that was fast taking over the German army. In that army, nobody but the Fuhrer could release the armored reserves that maybe could have pushed the allies back into the sea (and Hitler couldn't be awakened). But, in our army, every soldier considered the fate of the world to be their personal responsibility."
General Eisenhower's order for that day:
"You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade ... The hope 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."
HAT TIP TO PROF. CLIFFORD THIES AND WAR DEPARTMENT, RESPECTIVELY