Fifty-seven years ago today, soldiers from twelve nations -- the U.S., Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Belgium, Norway, Poland, Greece and Holland -- launched the most daring amphibious assault ever attempted.
Backed up by a massive armada of over five thousand ships -- ranging from massive battleships to the smaller transports and landing craft -- these men set about to do nothing less then save the world.
"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 everwhere 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 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."
Orion Syndicate
He's not the messiah, he's a very naughty boy!
Member # 25
posted
WHAT!? You mean Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Belgium, Norway, Poland, Greece and Holland were actually there?
Registered: Mar 1999
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Can't believe some people are still bitchin' about "Private Ryan," though. That took place on Omaha Beach, didn't it? Where the landing force was almost entirely (actually, I think it WAS entirely) American, wasn't it? The Brits and Canadians were at three other beaches, but since they weren't THERE, it wasn't integral to the story now, was it?
Actually, I don't know the proportional makeup of each nation's troop counts, but I'd just LOVE to see that list re-done as related to number of troops, wouldn't you?
-------------------- "The best defense is not a good offense. The best defense is a terrifyingly accurate and devastatingly powerful offense, with multiply-overlapping kill zones and time-on-target artillery strikes." -- Laurence, Archangel of the Sword
posted
My dad was there too. But he missed it by about 56 years, so he took the guided tour on the beach instead.
-------------------- "I'm nigh-invulnerable when I'm blasting!" Mel Gibson, X-Men
Registered: Aug 1999
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Shik
Starship database: completed; History of Starfleet: done; website: probably never
Member # 343
posted
Yes, because that's the ONLY thing that happened today...
In 1755, Nathan Hale was born. In 1844, the first YMCA was founded in London. In 1862, the Battle of Memphis occured. In 1875, Nobel Prize-winning author Thomas Mann was born. In 1898, Santiago, Cuba was bombarded bythe USn Navy. In 1918, the Battle of Belleau wood occurred. In 1926, the first use of aerial photography as an aid to mapping occured in Alaska. In 1942, the Battle of Midway concluded. In 1957, the first carrier-to-carrier, ocean-to-ocen flight was made by F8U "Crusaders" from Bon Homme Richard" off California to Saratoga off Florida. In 1958, USS Independence was launched.
-------------------- "The French have a saying: 'mise en place'—keep everything in its fucking place!"
posted
Actually, as I've discovered from Liz, she was born at exactly midnight on the morning of the seventh. Apparently, her mom was the one who decided to pick the sixth. I told her she needs to change her birthday to the seventh, but she won't listen... :-)
Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
And let's not forget, it's my little sisters birthday, well, it's the seventh now, but hers is on the sixth
-------------------- Me- Hi Jen! What's up! Jen- You again??!?! Listen kid, I'm not interested in you. Stop bothering me, I'm a lot older than you and I have a boyfriend. How did you find my ICQ number anyways? Me- Oh, so just cuz you're a movie star now, and you're new album made millions, you think you're too good for me? Jen- Yes!!! Get it thorough your head! I am a person, I am not Jennifer Lopez the hottest woman on earth that everyone wants to sleep with, I'm a person, leave me alone!!! Me- Fine! Be that way! Me- Jen.... Where'd you go.... I love you... please come back.... please....
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
The first YMCA was in Britain? Guess I need to consult the folks who made the "Saint John Firsts" poster, as it says that the first YMCA was founded here in Saint John, NB...
-------------------- I haul cardboard and cardboard accessories
Registered: Mar 1999
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Well, if it was the first in the US, then they probably just assumed it was the first ever. I mean, come on. Another country? Having something first? Ridiculous!
I had a big long list of the Very Large historical inncacuracies in Private Ryan (and Braveheart). Do we really want to go into them, because it means me tidying my room?
-------------------- Yes, you're despicable, and... and picable... and... and you're definitely, definitely despicable. How a person can get so despicable in one lifetime is beyond me. It isn't as though I haven't met a lot of people. Goodness knows it isn't that. It isn't just that... it isn't... it's... it's despicable.
posted
...and is not to be confused with St. John's, Newfoundland, also in Canada. Which is not the US
-------------------- "I was surprised by the matter-of-factness of Kafka's narration, and the subtle humor present as a result." (Sizer 2005)
Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
Sorry. I thought that everything was in the US. And, if it wasn't, then there was a city with the same name in the US. DO NOT CHALLENGE THEIR MIGHT!
-------------------- Yes, you're despicable, and... and picable... and... and you're definitely, definitely despicable. How a person can get so despicable in one lifetime is beyond me. It isn't as though I haven't met a lot of people. Goodness knows it isn't that. It isn't just that... it isn't... it's... it's despicable.
Registered: Mar 1999
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