Friday, July 1, 2005

Historical *Flashback*

June 6th, 1944, the Allied invasion of Europe began. Shortly before midnight, the first planes, loaded with paratroopers, roared down the runway, climbed into the air, and headed for France. Standing nearby, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme commander of the Allied Forces in Western Europe, silently and solemnly watched the planes heading toward the horizon. His eyes filled with tears.
Operation Overload included nearly 3 million men, 11 thousand planes, 5 thousand large ships, and 4 thousand troop transports. This huge task force moved across the English Channel under a partly cloudy sky toward the five beaches at Normandy during the early morning hours on D-Day.
The Nazi's fought desperately, but they were out-numbered and out-planned. The victory at Normandy on D-Day opened the way for the British and American soldiers to move at about 5 miles a day with little resistance across France. On August 25, 1944, the Allies regained Paris. Meanwhile, the 7th U.S. Army landed on the southern coast, pushed rapidly up the Rh*ne Valley, and joined the Allied troops sweeping in from Normandy. By December 1944, just 6 months after D-Day, France was Freed!
Let us never forget!
- Sarah E. Williams -
age 14, NC

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