Pacing in his headquarters in England as torrential rains and wind rattled the windows, Supreme Allied Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower carefully weighed his options. An estimated 175,000 Allied troops were awaiting his command to begin the largest, most logistically complicated amphibious invasion in history—Operation Overlord. Launched from England’s southern coast, an armada of 6,000 warships and 12,000 planes were to cross the English Channel into German-occupied France to begin the liberation of Europe. The problem was the weather. Reports were conflicting, some indicating continued thunderstorms, others clearing skies. A cross-Channel assault of such magnitude would be impossible in raging seas and overcast conditions, but postponement only increased the odds Overlord would be exposed. And surprise was essential. Eisenhower turned to the fourteen principal subordinates he had gathered in his headquarters and asked for their advice. They split right down the middle. Eisenhower paused, and then said simply: “OK, let’s go.” On June 6, 1944, British and Canadian troops hit the beaches on the Normandy coast designated “Gold,” “Juno,” and “Sword,” as the Americans descended on “Utah” and “Omaha.” German forces barraged incoming troops on all five beaches, but Omaha suffered the most; a steel blizzard rained down on the men from cliff-top bunkers, wiping out almost entire companies in minutes. Weighed down by their backpacks, many drowned as they struggled ashore. But the Americans, through individual acts of heroism, prevailed and the beachhead was secured by nightfall. “What memories dear,” Pfc. Dom Bart, who was with the Twenty-ninth Infantry Division and part of the first wave that took Omaha, recalled to his wife, Mildred, back in Brooklyn.
It was 6:30 in the morning and just about to land between Point-du-Hoc and Vierville-sur-Mer on the beaches of Normandie, Omaha Beach, the Allies called it.
In the far away distance I could hear the rumble of the artillery and the brrrp-brrrp of machine gun fire.
The elements were at their worst and our landing craft was half filled with water. We used our helmuts to throw it overboard and I never thought we would make it. Some of the boats never reached shore. It was a horrible sight.
Finally the word came—Let’s go—and there we were in combat, something new in my life. But oh, what an experience.
We didn’t have a chance to fight back, as we were dropped in water over our heads. No one’s fault as the entire beach was strewn with mines. With a stream of lead coming towards us, we were at the mercy of the Germans and we had all to do to reach shore and recuperate. I floated around in water for about one hour and was more dead than alive. Tried to land at several places, but always had to withdraw. It was impossible to get ashore.
I lost all hopes and said my last prayer to the Good Lord. The prayer was a passage to safety, but I sure was in a bad way. Got to the beach half frozen and almost unable to move and then I passed out. How long I remained there, I don’t recall, but when I came to, the fighting was at a climax. Pulled myself together and sought a rifle and around I went trying to locate my outfit. It didn’t take long to spot them and was I glad. But gracious Lord, what was left of them, just a handful, about 25 out of 160. The battalion was almost wiped out, 800 casualties out of 1000 men.
Our position was desperate, but with sheer will, fear and luck we overcame all obstacles and pushed inland to capture Vierville-sur-Mer, our first town. The price was high but covered ourselves with glory and for that we received the Presidential Citation. Later on we received another at Vire, France.
Yes darling, our outfit can be proud for the part it has played in helping to win this war. Whenever there was a tough nut to crack, the 1st BN., 116th Infantry, 29th Division was called on and always came through with flying colors. I’m very proud of it.
Let’s forget about the past for awhile and talk about today.
Today was declared a holiday by Eisenhower and church services were held for all, in memoriam of the boys who paid the supreme sacrifice on D-Day and hereafter. It was a simple requiem but with plenty of meaning behind it.
Bye sweet, until tomorrow.
Love and kisses,
Twenty-eight-year-old S. Sgt. Eugene Lawton, with the Second Infantry Division, also went ashore at Normandy and wrote home about it less than two months after the invasion. In the following letter to his parents in Tarentum, Pennsylvania, Lawton not only related the drama of the landing, but articulated what he was thinking during this historic moment.
August, 31, 1944
Hello Mom and Dad,
Have had plenty of time to review the past two months of my life. In the following paragraphs shall try and explain or perhaps should say put into words a few of my experiences. Of course a few of the events must wait until after this war, as censorship closes the door on many military problems.
One’s thoughts go deep into the past when moving across water on a troop ship. And can say the move to France left me with the feeling of “seeing the past and trying to look through the fog into the future.”
Long before we landed on enemy soil, saw that here was what my years in Army had come to. Again I wondered if I remembered all my training that was going to be called on in next few hours. For you see a maneuver may answer a few of the questions, but no man can put his mind at ease as to what he will do under fire, till he’s actually under the fire. Didn’t have long to wait.
We hit water from an assault boat and waded ashore. Didn’t try running in water as this only uses up one’s energy that will be needed later on. (Here for the first time my training was being put to use against the enemy) Never run in water as you can be carried along by waves much easier. Touched solid ground and we all were on the move at a run. There was quite a bit of noise around of big guns being fired from ship to shore. So didn’t realize was being shot at until saw slugs leaving their calling cards on the sand. No time to stop and think right now, must get some protection. So covered ground at full speed, ending up under cover of rising in the ground. Again my training was put to use. (Never hit the ground in the open when under fire) Here for the first time believe me all my training in the states saved my life.
Now under cover of this high ground we were safe for the time being. But somewhere in front of us was an enemy who knew how to soldier.
I guess I did like the rest of the boys. Looking around saw that ones who had gone on before us, left the silent of every battle behind. Here I was with two other soldiers behind this ground not knowing just what to do. This in my opinion is the worst time in any soldier’s life. I knew the other two fellows were waiting on me as was the only Sgt. among the three. Saw a Lieutenant off to my right with a few men. Never was so glad to see any one man in my life as right now. Lay there listening to firing up front. Was quite away up there so didn’t have a great deal to worry about at the present time.
Again looked across at the Lieutenant, he was still in the same place. In fact he hadn’t moved a bit. In next few minutes saw him looking around and getting a picture of what was before us. Saw him move and yell at the same time to move up on the hill. I yelled to men on my left and we moved on up towards the front.
So this was my first time under enemy fire. Still wasn’t up in the thick of the fight. Couldn’t figure out where the enemy was that fired at us coming in on the beach. Later on in rear area found out was a sniper giving us trouble. He from all reports will give no one else any trouble.
My first night in France was one I will remember always. We dug fox holes and had guards placed along line the whole night through. Each and every one of us taking our turn. The ones who weren’t on guard could sleep if possible but can say that not a man went to sleep that first night.
Just at dark heard planes overhead very high. Had no way of knowing if ours or was Jerry himself. Hadn’t long to wait for within the next few minutes saw a sight that will always be very vivid in my mind. The planes droned out over our ships anchored along the coast. Up went more anti-aircraft fire than from all reports has ever been concentrated in one spot before. The amazing sight of these tracers going up into the sky left it a complete mass of red death to any plane within this protection circle of anti-aircraft fire. It was a beautiful sight from our point of view but to the Jerry it was something beyond his own imagination. If you have followed Ernie Pyle’s column you may have read his opinion on this scene of coast of France. Yes, it was beautiful, but a kind of beauty only a soldier can understand.
You can readily see why no one slept that night. For right here was history in the making. Events taking place that kids will be reading about in future at school. Yes I for one was proud that I had the honor of helping in my small way in this present conflict.
I noticed many more things but have given you the ones that seemed to stand out above all the rest. Some things I can’t write about so will skip that and drift on into the next events that have already made headlines in the states.
The green fields and hedge rows of Normandy was our next problem. We had already a working plan of just how to go about getting the Square heads out of these blasted hedges. Of course just how we were going to do it must wait until after the war.
The next morning we were all set for running the Germans clear into Berlin. We moved up to the jumping off place and was ready for Fritzy along the hedges of the the fields to our front. My first look-see along the banks between fields reminded me of hunting ground-hogs back home. The Super race (I hope Goebbels won’t mind) was dug down and into the banks. But as said before we had a way of getting them out. After putting it into effect we had some coming up with the old term “Kamarad” and some didn’t get up. The rest were on the move towards Berlin.
This much I can say it takes team work between Infantry, Tanks, Artillery and Air Force. Perhaps I can give you a better understanding of what I mean. Football is a great game but it takes eleven players working together. One fellow moves under the protection of his team. Apply that to fighting over here and you have an idea of what I mean.
Yes Mom and Dad, I have told you about a few things up to a certain time. Am afraid I can’t go beyond what have already told you. You see events that happened the past few weeks am not allowed to write about. Can say I was hit but as to date, time, and place, well as censorship doesn’t permit it, why try to write about it. Take up where I left off when time allows it.
Am doing fine here in England. Up and around now, even played a game of horse shoes to-day, so you all haven’t a thing to worry about.
I have my own opinion of what the censor may think of this letter. Yes, there is an end and this is it.
Love always,
Son-ny.
This was one of Staff Sargeant Lawton’s last letters home; he was killed months later in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge.