Seventy-five years ago today, as Allied forces were puncturing German defenses and establishing a toehold in Europe, The Columbian wrote editorially:
Today we have reached the climax of all our preparations. At last — D-Day. The power and might of America and her Allies were thrown against Nazi Germany and her satellites early this morning. Now the final drive for victory is underway. This is probably the most momentous day in the annals of humankind, certainly so far as war making is concerned. Never before have so many men engaged in battle; never before have issues so tremendous affected so many peoples.
Three-quarters of a century later, June 6, 1944, remains perhaps the most momentous day in the annals of humankind; it altered the course of World War II and, therefore, the past 75 years of world history. By triggering the campaign that led to victory for the United States and her allies, D-Day served as the beginning of the end for Hitler’s forces and was a key moment in turning the 20th century into the American Century.
And so we pause today to remember the heroes of D-Day, the estimated 73,000 Americans who crossed the English Channel to participate in the largest invasion in history. With World War II now fading into history — the youngest survivors are in their mid-90s — it becomes increasingly important to honor them and tell their stories.
D-Day was not the end of World War II; far from it. The war continued to rage against Imperial Japan in the Pacific, and Allied forces spent 11 months driving German forces back toward Berlin. But the United States’ triumph in the largest conflict the world has seen started with a successful storming of France’s Normandy coast against German defenses.
About 150,000 troops successfully established five beachheads against heavy gunfire, clearing a path for 2 million more to follow. Americans took Omaha and Utah beaches; British and Canadians seized Juno, Gold and Sword. Officially, more than 4,000 Allied forces — including 2,500 Americans — died during the first 24 hours of the invasion, with many of them drowning or being gunned down before even getting off their boat. Another 6,000 were injured or missing. Reports say the sea ran red with blood.
The main headline on the June 6, 1944, edition of The Columbian read: Beachhead Driven UP to 9 Miles Inland; Losses in Men, Material Declared Lighter Than Anticipated; Luftwaffe Is Absent. A local article at the bottom of the front page, written by Lois Wilkie Snyder, reported: Sober hope that the grim final struggle will be mercifully brief, heart-deep prayer that the lives lost may be limited — that was the attitude with which people in Clark County’s bit of America reacted to the news that the invasion has begun, inquiry indicated today.
As we reflect years later on that grim final struggle, it is essential to ask how we can best honor those who changed history.
World War II forged alliances between the United States and Europe that thus far have helped prevent another global conflict. The defeat of Hitler’s Germany and education about his genocidal reign have helped prevent a repeat on such a heinous scale. And worldwide attention to despots and tyrants has helped prevent the rise of those intent on domination.
The Allied troops and leaders who invaded Europe 75 years ago today made all of that possible. The best way to acknowledge their bravery and sacrifice is to learn the lessons of World War II that remain pertinent — and to ensure that an invasion of such a scale is never again necessary.
