The invasion of France on June 6, 1944 was a triumph of intelligence, coordination, secrecy, and planning. The bold attack was also a tremendous risk.
Ultimately it succeeded because of individual soldiers' bravery in combat. An invading army had not crossed the unpredictable, dangerous English Channel since 1688 -- and once the massive force set out, there was no turning back.
The 5000-vessel armada stretched as far as the eye could see, transporting over 150,000 men and nearly 30,000 vehicles across the channel to the French beaches. Six parachute regiments -- over 13,000 men -- were flown from nine British airfields in over 800 planes.
More than 300 planes dropped 13,000 bombs over coastal Normandy immediately in advance of the invasion. By nightfall on June 6, more than 9,000 Allied soldiers were dead or wounded, but more than 100,000 had made it to shore,securing French and coastal villages.
In recent times, only 3 presidents have failed to go to the D-Day Monument that honors the soldiers killed on D-Day.
Those 3 Presidents were:
1. Barack Obama 2010
2. Barack Obama 2011
3. Barack Obama 2012
For the past 70 years, all presidents, except Obama, have paid tribute to the fallen soldiers killed on D-Day. This year, instead of honoring the soldiers, he made a campaign trip on Air Force One to California to raise funds for the upcoming election. You aren't surprised are you?
