Eighty years ago today, under the less than protective cover of darkness, the Allies began their invasion of Normandy. At slightly passed midnight, paratroopers dropped behind enemy lines—their job to do anything they could to prevent the Germans from sending reinforcements once the troops stormed Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, and Sword—code names for the beaches that would eventually provide the turning point of the war. That effort included (but certainly was not limited to) sabotaging rail lines, destroying bridges, and attempting to take out the pillboxes perched high above the landing points. Hours later, the combined forces of twelve countries would conduct a surprise assault on the coast—an assault that would include 7,000 ships and landing craft manned by over 195,000 naval personnel, and almost 160,000 Allied troops . . . over 10,000 of which did not survive.
The attack had been years in the making and was originally scheduled for the first of May; however, when General Dwight D. Eisenhower was named the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, he expanded the operation, code named Overlord, and moved it to June 5th. Weather reports on June 4th indicated the conditions would make a successful landing almost impossible the following day, so Eisenhower once more shifted the assault, this time by only 24 hours even though the weather window of opportunity was a small one. And on June 6, 1944, he issued the following statement to the soldiers, sailors, and airmen who were about to face almost certain death.
“Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
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 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.
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 beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.”
What many did not know was that Eisenhower scrawled a separate message on a notepad the night of June 5th. Despite the still violent weather conditions, he felt he could no longer wait to begin the invasion, mainly because the Germans believed those same conditions would prevent such an attack. Seated in a small cottage, listening to the roar of the departing aircraft, he wrote the message he would deliver should the mission fail:
"Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone."
Once satisfied with his efforts, Eisenhower neatly folded the note and placed it in his wallet. He was prepared to accept full responsibility should the mission fail.
Fortunately, it was a speech the world would never hear.
About the author: Lisa Shackelford Thomas is a fourth-generation member of a family that’s been in funeral service since 1926 and has worked with Shackelford Funeral Directors in Savannah, Tennessee for over 45 years. Any opinions expressed here are hers and hers alone and may or may not reflect the opinions of other Shackelford family members or staff.
