D-Day anniversary. Had the great privilege of seeing some of the vast battleground in person during a UNC history class in motion, back in 1981. It was by far the best class I've ever taken.
From my journal, a component required for the class (conducted by Jim Leutze):
Pointe du Hoc
After gazing down on Omaha Beach, we motored over to Pointe du Hoc, the site of the U.S. ranger attack. The striking feature of Pointe du Hoc is the steep, high face of the cliffside. It took real courage to assault the position -- indeed, it would take courage just to climb it without being fired at! The Axis defenders didn’t exactly have a pushover, either. They were wide open to aerial and sea bombardment, pulverized by explosives, and assaulted by a crack team of commandos.
Bill and I roamed the defenses; we looked out of a concrete bombshelter just in time to see our five German friends. Willi shouted over to us: “Der Goebbels bunker! You will be shot!”
After lunch among the ruins, we gathered at the main cliffside structure to be addressed by the French mayor of Criqueville in Bessin. He was happy to see young Americans interested in the war . . .
Sainte-Mère-Église
When I stepped out of the van at Sainte-Mère-Église, I thought I was in The Longest Day. The bells! I felt a surge; it was breathtaking. Reluctantly went to the 82nd Airborne Museum, but soon walked back to the main square while everyone else stayed in the museum. It was just like in the movie. Walking down to the far end of the square, noticed a Cafe de 6th Juin. These people have not forgotten. I peeked in the church where they were holding special Memorial services. The stain glass window above the altar was extraordinary -- a beautiful piece depicting our paratroopers descending onto the church. I loved it.
That wasn’t all in this long and fruitful day. On to Utah Beach we pushed, walking along the fortified beach. Near where we parked sat an M8 armored car and a half-track. Barbed wire was still strung along the dune line, and the bunkers were in great shape. Another murderous beach, but better than Omaha. . . .
-- Erik Donald France, May 24, 1981.
Today's Rune: Warrior.
5 comments:
I toyed much with becoming a history major. Loved the field but didn't know if I could get a decent job. History is just fascinating to me. And WW II history most of all.
Them who fought in that war are now dieing at the rate of a 1000 per day.
It is good that some among the succeeding generations understand the field and what it took to enjoin upon it.
I recently heard the D-Day memorial located near Roanoke VA. is having a funding problem.
I finally read Cornellius Ryan's "The Longest Day" a few years back. Great book. Great book (as is his book "A Bridge Too Far"). The description of the Omaha landing is excruciating. A lot of people talked about its depiction in the movie "Saving Private Ryan." They actually let you off easy in the movie; those guys were trapped for over 8 hours in well-placed and withering German firepower. We owe those guys a lot-- particularly remembering their sacrifices.
Eric, My son Dane, was born on D-day. I watched the calendar as a 19 day overdue pregnant woman and D Day took on a different meaning!
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