“You’re about to embark on a cathedral that we’ve worked for for months…”
In these symbolic terms, General Dwight D. Eisenhower addressed the Allies on the eve of D-Day.
This June 6th marks the 81st anniversary of Operation Overlord, the largest amphibious invasion in military history. It was the culmination of months of thorough strategic planning and international cooperation.
Despite the odds, more than 160,000 troops from the UK, the US, Canada and other allies have landed on the 50-mile Normandy coastline, divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. The operation included more than 5,200 ships and more than 13,000 aircraft, all working in coordination to violate the Atlantic Wall. By midnight, the allies had suffered more than 10,300 casualties, with many soldiers killed, wounded and missing.
It was two heroic aerial missions that took place early on June 6th that supported the coastal attack. On the eastern flank, British sky tro forces from the 6th Airborne Division launched Operation Tonga, filming strategic bridges across the Khan Canal and the Orn River, including the now-famous Pegasus Bridge, destroying heavily strengthened Melville gun batteries. Their success prevented the axis reinforcement from adjacent to the eastern beach.
Meanwhile, on the western flank, the American Air Tro units of the 101st Division and the 82nd Airborne Division landed behind on enemy lines near Utah Beach, performing operations in Albany and Boston. Their mission was to secure a causeway, grab a bridge and block the movement of the axis from the west. Despite the scattered drops and intense resistance, their resolve and sacrifice were essential to the overall success of the landing.
At the time, Winston Churchill did not fully support the operation. In April 1944, he confided in his advisor. “This fight was forced upon us by the Russians and the US military authorities.” Still, he decided to witness history. Churchill requested to be present to land on the HMS Belfast and even wanted to land on Juno Beach.
Two occasions, including June 2, required solid intervention from King George VI, who was strongly opposed to the idea and threatened to accompany Churchill himself.
Eventually, Churchill arrived in Normandy six days later on June 12th and rode the HMS Kelvin. A bold politician, witnessing the advances in the fierce battle of Europe’s liberation, he insisted that the ships would take part in the fire of enemy positions while standing on the bridge.
As we mark another year from that fateful day, we celebrate the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of everyone who fought, especially those who have not returned. Soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Air Tro forces have been together in the face of tyranny, changing the course of history.
Their memories continue to live not only in books and monuments but also in the words of the people there. One such voice is the voice of Cyril Crane, a veteran of Juno Beach, whose heartfelt poem reminds us of the human race behind the heroes.
Cyril Krein (Junoveteran)
Come and be in memory
A man who died fighting
They have come to life in Normandy
Remember them with pride.
Soldiers, airlines, seafarers
Air and the Marines
Who was the tailor in Civvy Life?
And then a man who worked in a machine.
British and Canadians
Man from America
Federal squad
They were all there that day
Junho, Sword, to Utah
Famous beach
Also, gold and Omaha
That’s where the lamp has dropped.
The battle was intense in Normandy
Many lives have been lost
The war must end with victory
And this must be cost
When my life is over
And I’ll reach the other side
Meet friends in Normandy
Wave with pride.
Remember everyone who fought – be proud, thankful, and make a promise you will never forget.
