On June 6, 1944, 160,000 allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy, France in what would be the single largest military invasion in history. Today, on the 72nd anniversary of that momentous occasion, let these poignant D-Day quotes remind you of the courage and bravery of the thousands of soldiers who lost their lives. Operation Overlord, as the mission was called at the time, was a victory that didn't just help determine the end of World War II, but also the course of history as we know it. Today, decades later, June 6 is still remembered around the world with memorial services, speeches, and moments of silence.
For those who need a quick history refresher, more than 425,000 allied and German troops lost their lives in the battle that took place along a stretch of Normandy coastline toward the end of World War II. The invasion, which lasted through August 1944, was led by General Dwight D. Eisenhower in an attempt to liberate northern France from German control. Interestingly enough, the invasion was set to begin on June 5, but was delayed a day due to inclement weather. The D-Day landing was a multi-front operation, with troops coming in by land, air, and sea.
Today, on the anniversary of the landings, these moving quotes are worth remembering.
1. "This operation is not being planned with any alternatives. This operation is planned as a victory, and that's the way it's going to be. We're going down there, and we're throwing everything we have into it, and we're going to make it a success." ― General Dwight D. Eisenhower
2. "Rangers, lead the way!" — Colonel Francis W. Dawson
3. "It was unknowable then, but so much of the progress that would define the 20th century, on both sides of the Atlantic, came down to the battle for a slice of beach only six miles long and two miles wide.” — Barack Obama
4. "This vast operation is undoubtedly the most complicated and difficult that has ever occurred." — Winston Churchill
5. "We do not know or seek what our fate will be. We ask only this, that if die we must, that we die as men would die, without complaining, without pleading and safe in the feeling that we have done our best for what we believed was right." — Lt. Col. Robert L. Wolverton
6. "I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory! Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking." — General Dwight D. Eisenhower
7. "They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate." — President Franklin D. Roosevelt
8. "These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. These are the heroes who helped end a war." — President Ronald Reagan
Images: Getty
