The Soldier’s Load
The British steamer Princess Maude arrived at her designated spot off Omaha Beach at midnight. The American troops aboard were supposed to be sleeping, but few were able. Many went topside to gaze at the thousands of other vessels in the invasion armada, while others congregated in small groups to talk and pass the time. At 2:00 a.m. the mess decks were opened for breakfast. Finally it was time to get ready. Chuck Hurlbut, a combat engineer, described what happened next:
Then you put your stuff on. We all had new olive-drabs. I think we had long johns. We had a field jacket. And then they gave us these impregnated coveralls. They were so stiff and unwieldy they could almost stand up by themselves. They had been specially treated with some solution that would withstand gas. You put those on. And on top of that, you had your belt, your gas mask, a bandolier of bullets. And your cartridge belt had a bayonet, a canteen, a first aid packet, and more bullets. Your helmet. I made sure the chinstrap was down. And your rifle. And your backpack, which had your mess kit, your shovel, and your incidentals. There’s 50 or 60 pounds of stuff.416
Fifty to sixty pounds is probably a conservative estimate of the weight on these soldiers. Rations, grenades, and engineer equipment are not even mentioned. They had a lot to prepare for to carry out their mission in the invasion. In reading this passage, you might recall that the apostle Paul also urged us to, “Put on the full armor of God,” so that we can perform our mission in his service. Most of this armor is defensive in nature, except for one item: the sword of the spirit. God’s Word is our offensive weapon guaranteeing victory over every evil power threatening us.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
—Ephesians 6:14–17