06/06/2024
"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.
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! 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 blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking."
—Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander, 6 June 1944
Today marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day, when Allied forces landed some 156,000 soldiers on the beaches of Normandy on in 1944. D-Day was the largest amphibious invasion in history and by the end of August 1944, most of Northern France had been liberated. Historians often refer to D-Day as the beginning of the end of World War II. Tonight, relive the Allied invasion through the voices and words of those who were there, from all sides. D-Day: The Unheard Tapes premieres tonight at 8/7c.
