D-Day+70 years

Tomorrow we remember that 70 years ago a bunch of teenagers and young adults took on the might of Nazi power on the Atlantic coastline of northwestern France.  We sometimes forget that the Nazi war machine, while weakened by the tremendous drain caused by the Eastern Front was still formidable in the West: the fortress that represented the Atlantic Wall; elite armored divisions in reserve; their general was a legend and probably (along with Erich Von Manstein) one of the best the OKW (Ober Kommando der Wehrmacht/German High Command) could provide in Erwin Rommel.

This was not going to be an easy crossing of the Channel in the month of June (a rainy cold month in this region of the world, not unlike Massachusetts right now).  Intelligence was on the allies' side but somehow the "résistance" forgot to tell the allies about the hedge rows in the "campagne Normande."  Every one with a sense of tactical logic expected the passage at the Pas-de-Calais, the shortest distance between England and France, but instead Ike crossed La Manche/English Channel into the region of Normandy.  The effect of surprise (crucial in special ops doctrine) was achieved in the most brilliant ways. 

Still the Normandy campaign would be hard fought (as 100's of accounts tell us).  Once the OKW and their demented/demonic corporal-turned-Commander realized what was going on, the fighting intensified in Normandy and it would be a few weeks before the allies could break through into Paris.  Read about the "Kessel" (caldron), the "Hitler Jugend" SS division, along with other elite Nazi troops thrown into the fight,  and you  quickly realize what a bitter and uncertain campaign this was going to be.

All this seems so distant now, but for me, growing up on the late 60's in the neighboring country of Switzerland, we heard about the "débarquement" as if it had happened yesterday. For us "les ricains" were the coolest guys around.  So, thank you to the "greatest generation" for your sacrifice for our freedom.