“AT THIS HISTORIC MOMENT SURELY NOT ONE OF US IS TOO BUSY, TOO YOUNG OR TOO OLD TO PLAY A PART IN A NATIONWIDE, PERCHANCE A WORLDWIDE, VIGIL OF PRAYER AS THE GREAT CRUSADE SETS FORTH.” (King George VI, 1944).
Operation Overload
Originally planned for 01 May 1944 and then 05 June 1944, the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare was delayed by a very British problem – bad weather.
The weather was still not perfect on 06 June 1944, but it was decided that there was a window of opportunity to go ahead with ‘Operation Overlord’ which would herald the most defining period in British history.
Changing the Course of the History
It is unimaginable for the vast majority of us to contemplate how we would feel on the eve of taking part in such an operation knowing that the chances are, we would not return.
Yet every man knew they had a job to do and would do anything for anyone to secure the liberty and freedoms we experience today.
“NEVER FORGET THE COURAGE OF THOSE WHO STEPPED OFF THE LANDING CRAFT IN THE FACE OF A HAIL OF GERMAN GUNFIRE.”
An invasion army had not successfully crossed the English Channel since 1688.
Even Eisenhower and Churchill were fearful that it would fail, and everyone was fully aware that there would be a great price to pay.
Meticulous planning over many months involved the logistics of hundreds of thousands of personnel, and millions of tonnes of steel. There was the utmost attention to strategic detail employed with the common purpose – the liberation of Western Europe.
Behind the scenes, meteorologists, codebreakers, scientists, and engineers were just a few of the experts collaborating on the mission.
Source: Geopix / Alamy Stock Photos
The complexity of the operation was immense over air, land and sea.
The Germans were highly experienced in warfare throughout Europe and heavily defended captured territories.
These defences had to neutralised.
Enter Britain’s Bomber Command and the Eighth US Army Air Force.
Rail systems and German telephone communications networks were sabotaged.
Tactical air forces were hellbent on thwarting any intervention by the Germans.
Just after midnight on 06 June 1944, 23,400 British and US paratroopers landed on the invasion beaches to target German strongholds at the top of the cliff faces.
THE FIRST WAVE – “IF THIS WAS HELL ON EARTH, I NEVER WANT TO GO THERE.”
At 6.30.a.m. the assault forces stepped from the landing crafts on 5 beaches – Omaha, Gold, Juno, Sword and Utah.
On the frontline, the bravery of those landing in the first wave is something we must never forget.
The worst casualties were Americans on Omaha beach, and many were buried close to where they fell.
THE ONLY MEDIC ON THE BEACH
Flight Lieutenant Richard Rycroft was one of few British servicemen to land on Omaha Beach and was the only medical officer available to tend to hundreds of casualties – the US medics had been caught in crossfire.
He continued to treat the wounded over a 48-hour period without rest and received a Military Cross for his actions.
His citation reads:
“HE SET AN EXAMPLE OF GREAT COURAGE AND DEVOTION TO DUTY AND WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SAVING MANY LIVES.”
Rycroft is one of so many who showed great devotion and courage and his story, and others, are recorded on the D Day 80 Campaign Government website paying tribute to their bravery on D Day.
Flight Lieutenant Richard Rycroft was one of few British servicemen to land on Omaha Beach and was the only medical officer available to tend to hundreds of casualties – the US medics had been caught in crossfire.
He continued to treat the wounded over a 48-hour period without rest and received a Military Cross for his actions.
His citation reads:
“HE SET AN EXAMPLE OF GREAT COURAGE AND DEVOTION TO DUTY AND WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR SAVING MANY LIVES.”
Rycroft is one of so many who showed great devotion and courage and his story, and others, are recorded on the D Day 80 Campaign Government website paying tribute to their bravery on D Day.
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