Bill, Wonderful experience for your grandson. My wife and I are members of the Naval Order of the United States, a Navy historical organization formed in 1890. Our local organization created the Navy monument at Normandy some years ago. Over the years I (a civilian) have learned about the Normandy invasion and heard amazing stories about the bravery of our young men, in some cases from men who were there. My neighbor's father was one of those paratroopers who ended up hanging from a tree. He was rescued and saved by a local Frenchman. Last week I heard a lecture from a Naval historian about the intelligence efforts that went into the planning that was key to success of that dramatic time. They were the best of times, they were the worst of times. We look back at World War II as a high point of American history. The peace, and the U.S.'s power in creating the structure for the empire is seen somewhat through the rosy lenses of the victors. As you frequently note, the growing American strength has turned sour through the corruption that comes with power. The dangers that our children and grandchildren face are largely the result of political and economic hubris and corruption. Thank you and your brilliant associates for your big picture perspective. Joel Bowman enticed me into the Classical learning group; I trust the care of Tom Dyson; I find Dan Denning to be one of the most intelligent essayists on macroeconomics that I have experienced. It's a privilege to have access to the thinking of all your friends and colleagues.
Bill's numbers are consistent with several websites that I checked. Clearly, the 77 killed are included in the 152 wounded. An almost 70% casualty rate!
I listened to an extremely detailed lecture from a careful Naval historian this last week about the Normandy invasion. He provided extraordinary material from military intelligence documents that gave great insight beyond our perceptions of that massive invasion. There is no doubt, that those parachutists suffered the greatest casualties of all the participants. One thing that I learned that amended my understanding of the fatalities of the attackers on the beaches is that percentage-wise our troops were not massacred to the extent portrayed in the movies. Though every young man killed was a great sacrifice and tragedy, the large majority survived and got off the beaches and went on to push the Germans back from the Coast.
I suspect Bill was throwing out a data point that as you noted resembles a D vote counting exercise on election day--he wanted to see if we noticed the 'count' was off.
Great stories about American heroism. Can not over state what the Allies accomplished that day. It may take the same effort to route the democrats, but they must be stopped. You can not make up the stuff they are saying. It sounds like fairy tale city in DC. 8,000 mile railroad tracks, but we cannot have gasoline for our vehicles. It sounds something like what would happen in a Disney movie. God save the queen? Which queen? And this guy is our president. I know what my dad would say. He is nuts!! God bless my dad and all the guys involved in D-Day. What great Americans look like. just sayin'
Enjoyed your comments. We truly are in an insane time. I read a lot of history, and I notice that these current social/political patterns are not new or unique. They seem so to us, because we grew up in a different time. My hope is that this will pass, though it is extremely disturbing at the moment.
The presumption was, and it was drummed into all of us in the late 50s and early 60s in elementary school, that "all men, everywhere and universally, desire, seek, and demand freedom and liberty." Therefore, it was our bounden duty, as the only nation in the world who had achieved that status, to export that philosophy to the world at large, even by force, if necessary. What was lacking at that time was the understanding that something called "culture", which provides the context for understanding what "all men everywhere" do and have. It took a long time for me to realize, as I watched my beloved country stumble and fail over and over in its ill-fated mission, that our glowing historical successes occurred within the walls of our own culture, not out in the world at large. In the process, we lost our way, reaching the point of giving up and forsaking even our own culture, and now we don't even have that anymore. It's just one, huge, sad, sorrowful Greek tragedy. (Ooops! I mentioned more of that problematic "cultural" thing...) Best always. PM
Remarkable. I'm sure you can read thousands of accounts of D-Day, but not many like this. Bill has a special talent to capture life. Like the posts about the ranch in Gualfin, Argentina.
"Driving into town, there were photos of American soldiers hanging from light posts…"
I assume this means photos hanging from light posts, of American soldiers who were not killed, and liberated the town? Not pictures of American soldiers who were caught by German forces and hung from light posts?
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
Each year after Anzac Day and Remembrance Day an Australian more and more young are turning up and visiting Anzac Cove
Anzac Cove is a small cove on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. It became famous as the site of World War I landing of the ANZACs on 25 April 1915. The cove is 600 metres long, bounded by the headlands of Arıburnu to the north and Little Arıburnu, known as Hell Spit, to the south. Wikipedia
I met two men in my long life who were part of the First Wave of landings at Normandy.
One was my college president, Earl Rudder, US Army retired. He was the commander of the Rangers who scaled the steep cliff to capture Pointe du Hoc.
The other was small man who stormed Omaha Beach. He became a commander but of industry. His name was Maurice ("Hank") Greenberg. He was chairman of AIG for many years
Using the numbers of Allies, there was no chance of the Germans repulsing the Allied landing that day. The only chance the Germans had was to make as many units as possible combat ineffective. The sheer size of the invasion required each German soldier to fire around 3600 rounds that day, and occasionally even take aim before pulling the trigger. That is a firing rate I never achieved in combat in Vietnam.
He was on the USS Detroit. I would love to know more about Bill’s dad who was also a PHS. If he has the time please have him respond with ship information etc.
A great visit with your grandson for a vision of a real world past. Along those line my neighbor here in Ocala celebrated his 99 birthday in March. He was a paratrooper landing at DDay and part of the ghost army too. My hero and is still with us. Amazing
Beautiful Bill! I would recommend all Americans visit the cemetery and witness the Retreat Ceremony with the playing of Taps. So incredibly emotional, inspirational and beautiful, just as America was at that time🇺🇸 Thank you Bill, for sharing your experience 🙏
Bill, Wonderful experience for your grandson. My wife and I are members of the Naval Order of the United States, a Navy historical organization formed in 1890. Our local organization created the Navy monument at Normandy some years ago. Over the years I (a civilian) have learned about the Normandy invasion and heard amazing stories about the bravery of our young men, in some cases from men who were there. My neighbor's father was one of those paratroopers who ended up hanging from a tree. He was rescued and saved by a local Frenchman. Last week I heard a lecture from a Naval historian about the intelligence efforts that went into the planning that was key to success of that dramatic time. They were the best of times, they were the worst of times. We look back at World War II as a high point of American history. The peace, and the U.S.'s power in creating the structure for the empire is seen somewhat through the rosy lenses of the victors. As you frequently note, the growing American strength has turned sour through the corruption that comes with power. The dangers that our children and grandchildren face are largely the result of political and economic hubris and corruption. Thank you and your brilliant associates for your big picture perspective. Joel Bowman enticed me into the Classical learning group; I trust the care of Tom Dyson; I find Dan Denning to be one of the most intelligent essayists on macroeconomics that I have experienced. It's a privilege to have access to the thinking of all your friends and colleagues.
The Ranger body count sounds like an election result in a Democrat Precinct. 225 Rangers, total of 229 casualties...
Bill's numbers are consistent with several websites that I checked. Clearly, the 77 killed are included in the 152 wounded. An almost 70% casualty rate!
I listened to an extremely detailed lecture from a careful Naval historian this last week about the Normandy invasion. He provided extraordinary material from military intelligence documents that gave great insight beyond our perceptions of that massive invasion. There is no doubt, that those parachutists suffered the greatest casualties of all the participants. One thing that I learned that amended my understanding of the fatalities of the attackers on the beaches is that percentage-wise our troops were not massacred to the extent portrayed in the movies. Though every young man killed was a great sacrifice and tragedy, the large majority survived and got off the beaches and went on to push the Germans back from the Coast.
I suspect Bill was throwing out a data point that as you noted resembles a D vote counting exercise on election day--he wanted to see if we noticed the 'count' was off.
Hi Mr. Pemberton -
Akin to recent events, of course we all noticed. We're just not allowed to talk about it at the risk of being "canceled"...
Sadly you are correct. I do hope to see that change before I am down six feet.
Yup - I caught that too...
Great stories about American heroism. Can not over state what the Allies accomplished that day. It may take the same effort to route the democrats, but they must be stopped. You can not make up the stuff they are saying. It sounds like fairy tale city in DC. 8,000 mile railroad tracks, but we cannot have gasoline for our vehicles. It sounds something like what would happen in a Disney movie. God save the queen? Which queen? And this guy is our president. I know what my dad would say. He is nuts!! God bless my dad and all the guys involved in D-Day. What great Americans look like. just sayin'
Enjoyed your comments. We truly are in an insane time. I read a lot of history, and I notice that these current social/political patterns are not new or unique. They seem so to us, because we grew up in a different time. My hope is that this will pass, though it is extremely disturbing at the moment.
NUTS!
Bastogne!!
That was during the Battle of the Bulge, 6 months later.
The presumption was, and it was drummed into all of us in the late 50s and early 60s in elementary school, that "all men, everywhere and universally, desire, seek, and demand freedom and liberty." Therefore, it was our bounden duty, as the only nation in the world who had achieved that status, to export that philosophy to the world at large, even by force, if necessary. What was lacking at that time was the understanding that something called "culture", which provides the context for understanding what "all men everywhere" do and have. It took a long time for me to realize, as I watched my beloved country stumble and fail over and over in its ill-fated mission, that our glowing historical successes occurred within the walls of our own culture, not out in the world at large. In the process, we lost our way, reaching the point of giving up and forsaking even our own culture, and now we don't even have that anymore. It's just one, huge, sad, sorrowful Greek tragedy. (Ooops! I mentioned more of that problematic "cultural" thing...) Best always. PM
You can never pay too much respect to D-Day.
Remarkable. I'm sure you can read thousands of accounts of D-Day, but not many like this. Bill has a special talent to capture life. Like the posts about the ranch in Gualfin, Argentina.
"Driving into town, there were photos of American soldiers hanging from light posts…"
I assume this means photos hanging from light posts, of American soldiers who were not killed, and liberated the town? Not pictures of American soldiers who were caught by German forces and hung from light posts?
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
Each year after Anzac Day and Remembrance Day an Australian more and more young are turning up and visiting Anzac Cove
Anzac Cove is a small cove on the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey. It became famous as the site of World War I landing of the ANZACs on 25 April 1915. The cove is 600 metres long, bounded by the headlands of Arıburnu to the north and Little Arıburnu, known as Hell Spit, to the south. Wikipedia
Lest We Forget.
I met two men in my long life who were part of the First Wave of landings at Normandy.
One was my college president, Earl Rudder, US Army retired. He was the commander of the Rangers who scaled the steep cliff to capture Pointe du Hoc.
The other was small man who stormed Omaha Beach. He became a commander but of industry. His name was Maurice ("Hank") Greenberg. He was chairman of AIG for many years
American Heroes, both
Thanks for the mention of Gen. Rudder. “Gig ‘em."
Using the numbers of Allies, there was no chance of the Germans repulsing the Allied landing that day. The only chance the Germans had was to make as many units as possible combat ineffective. The sheer size of the invasion required each German soldier to fire around 3600 rounds that day, and occasionally even take aim before pulling the trigger. That is a firing rate I never achieved in combat in Vietnam.
My wife’s dad was a Pearl Harbor survivor .
He was on the USS Detroit. I would love to know more about Bill’s dad who was also a PHS. If he has the time please have him respond with ship information etc.
A great visit with your grandson for a vision of a real world past. Along those line my neighbor here in Ocala celebrated his 99 birthday in March. He was a paratrooper landing at DDay and part of the ghost army too. My hero and is still with us. Amazing
Beautiful Bill! I would recommend all Americans visit the cemetery and witness the Retreat Ceremony with the playing of Taps. So incredibly emotional, inspirational and beautiful, just as America was at that time🇺🇸 Thank you Bill, for sharing your experience 🙏
Thank you.
Of the 225 Rangers, 229 were either killed or wounded.
Whoever thought those gliders were a good idea?
I just read the book Patriots Will by Major Jack C Hubbard, recommended by his relative on here, can't remember who.
It has some detailed info about bombing missions over Germany in 1944/5. There was no lack of courage with those US fly boys. A great read.