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Eisenhower gave the order and set in motion the largest amphibious invasion in world history; an armada of over 4,000 warships, nearly 10,000 aircraft, and about 160,000 invasion troops. The hard fought invasion was a success--Eisenhower had won his gamble with the weather. Within 2 months, Allied forces broke out from their Normandy beachheads and began the long heroic struggle to liberate Europe from Nazi tyranny.
As I think about this crucial event that occurred 76 years ago today, I reflect on General Eisenhower who had to make the most momentous decision the 20th Century. Eisenhower bore the responsibility of giving the go-ahead, making a gamble that there would be good weather to give the landing a chance of success. Otherwise, I have read that the Allies may not have had another chance until 1946 to get into Europe if Normandy had failed. Failure would have been devastating.
Somewhere I read that Eisenhower committed in writing that he and he alone made the decision and if it failed he alone would bear the responsibility. The man made a critical decision and took responsibility for the outcome. Which breaks my heart given what we are lacking today.
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