Please remember D day

[Triton II]

Re: Please remember D day

As a baby boomer who had a decent education in a peace-loving country, I am generally pleased with the level of respect shown by our younger generations to military history, in particular to Anzac Day. I'm sad to hear that isn't always the case in the USA, a pity as so many American troops have laid down their lives so the populations of other countries can lead better lives. Being ex-Royal Air Force I have an obvious bias that the Battle of Britain was the most significant battle in modern military history, but it's also true that D-Day was the biggest and most successful amphibious invasion in all of history. Lest we forget.

TII

 

[Blue2Green]

Re: Please remember D day

Actually gave a short History leson on D-Day to my son this morning. He is only 8.

 

[Woodnaut]

Re: Please remember D day

Growing up in the early '60s there was still a lot of talk about WW-II since it was fresh in the memories of the people who fought it and survived it. My Dad and my Uncles were in it, and two of my Aunts were welders during the war. (One in a shipyard, the other in a gun factory.) They were - and still are - my heros. There are a few times during the year that I think about this, and especially on D-Day. I have always wanted to go to Normandy to see this place and the graveyards that are there. It would be impossible for me to imagine the horror that happen there on that day, or the thoughts of the men who were part of it.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Please remember D day

Great thread, this should serve as a good reminder to many to take time to know our history and pass it on to those that follow us.

One thing I did in order to educate myself on the facts of WWII(in addition to watching movies, and reading books) was to take a college history course on the war when I had an opening in my schedule. It was the most enjoyable and informative class I have taken.

I found that almost all of the other students in the class with me also had at least one or two grandparents that supported the war effort in one way or another.

Several of our grandfathers had received decorations such as Bronze Stars and Purple Hearts.

Both of my grandfathers were active duty in WWII, but neither one relished reliving it by telling stories(for good reason)...so I tried to find other sources of information rather than remain ignorant.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Please remember D day

American dead

Gettysburg - 51,112 (23,049 Union and 28,063 Confederate)

Chickamauga - 34,624 (16,170 Union and 18,454 Confederate)

Antietam - 26,134 (12,410 Union and 13,724 Confederate) The single bloodiest day in American history.

Spotsylvania - 27,399 (18,399 Union and 9)000 Confederate)

The Wilderness - 25,416 (17,666 Union and 7,750 Confederate)

Manassas - 25,251 (16,054 Union and 9,197 Confederate)

Shiloh - 23,741 (13,047 Union and 10,694 Confederate)

D-Day ? 2,500 to 3,000

 

[JB]

Re: Please remember D day

A great catastrophe of the war for Confederate Independence is that all casualties were Americans.

Why is it that nearly twice as many are listed as died at Gettysburg as at Antietam, yet Antietam is called the bloodiest day?? Is there an error there??

I don't have the figures at hand, but the cumulative casualties (US and Japanese) in each of the Iwo Jima and Okinawa invasions in the Pacific probably rival the total of all the listed battles of the 1860s.

Is the estimate for D Day US only, Allies only or all warriors of all nations? What about civilians?

Are these numbers consistently war dead or are they mixed with surviving casualties?

 

[dingbat]

Re: Please remember D day

A great catastrophe of the war for Confederate Independence is that all casualties were Americans.

Why is it that nearly twice as many are listed as died at Gettysburg as at Antietam, yet Antietam is called the bloodiest day. Is there an error there??

Gettysburg was a 3 day battle. Antietam was a single day.

I don't have the figures at hand, but the cumulative casualties (US and Japanese) in each of the Iwo Jima and Okinawa invasions in the Pacific probably rival the total of all the listed battles of the 1860s.

The total WWII American casualties is given as 416,000

Is the estimate for D Day US only, Allies only or all warriors of all nations? What about civilians?

US only

Are these numbers consistently war dead or are they mixed with surviving casualties?

Those numbers are dead. Due to the poor record keeping by the Confederates, some estimates put the total number of dead closer to 700,000

Lesser battles are famous for their casualties. At Franklin, Tennessee, November 30, 1864, General Hood's Confederates lost over 6,000 of 21,000 effectives -most of them in about two hours. Six Confederate generals died there.

 

[JB]

Re: Please remember D day

Thanks, dingbat.

 

[BosnBill]

Re: Please remember D day

We are true Americans, that we can relish in memorializing significant events, while browbeating others, for not feeling the same way.

I would have forgot also, if this thread had not been started and I appreciate it. It's great to reflect, but everybody (at least in my world) seems to have a pretty full plate, these days, of other things to think about. I know I do.

When I was a teenager, the very last thing on my mind was American history. Go figure. Over the many years, I have discoverd a genuine interest in it, and have read many great books and watched documentaries, especially during the industiral revolution, WWI, WWII and Vietnam years.

Maybe, in time, todays youth, will discover what a great history it is.

I hope you're right mscher. I felt the same way when I was growing up with a family steeped in love of American history, I didn't get it, thinking that history, at least in school, was about memorizing dates and events for the next test. My family and especially my parents felt differently about it and I didn't understand it at the time. I've had family that came over on the Mayflower, fought in the Revolution, a diary written by my uncle Charlie Putnam about his experiences as a 17-20 yr old in the Civil War, grandfather (Navy) in WWI, dad and uncles in WWII, me Vietnam...but I didn't appreciate all this history and the history of our country until I had time to focus on it in retirement. I was too busy with family, work, play and my other interests in science, music and language to take time out for our history including the sacrifices of D-day. I heard stories from my uncles that were there, watched excerpts on the history channel about it, watched with relish Band of Brothers and Saving Private Ryan and others, remembering the newsreels of my youth about the Nazi threat and how we dispatched them. I always respected, admired and was awed by my father's and uncle's experiences in WWII, but I really don't think I realized the sacrifice and the significance of that day until more recently. It was a risky event that had to be taken, the weather was horrible, it was a hell of a time getting up those beaches, (thank you Aussies and Brits!), and they kept driving for the jugular and succeeded! It was an incredible Day and it's at the center of my thoughts on Memorial Day.

Just so you know, not only am I a boater, but I'm a snare drummer in a fife and drum band. When we march on Memorial Day, Independence Day and play at the musters I have been thanked numerous times for my dedication I feel I have to thank them back, just for showing up, some waving flags, some cheering, clapping and showing their deep belief in our historical foundation. D-day, Gettysburg, Iwo Jima, so many wars, so many battles. Thank you JB for your post! Thank God for your post!