The Logisticians of the Normandy Invasion.
The Logisticians of the Normandy Invasion.
By far, the best compliment I have ever received was from a former leader who once told me, "You are a true patriot." That comment has stuck with me though my years. I am proud to be an American, proud of my country, and its leaders. I am proud of those before me who have given their lives for this country. Today we must reinforce patriotism. Flags often fly in store windows and in our streets in time of war and conflict but how soon they come down afterwards. Parents of soldiers far away hang the vertical flag in their windows with stars that denote numbers of children involved in war or abroad in support of war. Ask a young American today how many stripes are on our flag? Ask them where the Vietnam Memorial is located. If you are a patriot too then you may be upset or surprised by the answers you receive. .
One major campaign I am proud to talk about is the Normandy Campaign that took place off the coast of Normandy and was the largest invasion campaign ever assembled. The invasion meant the use of nearly 5,000 ships of every type. This was the largest armament ever assembled with over a million man force.
American planners began formal planning efforts with Britain in December 1941. During this time Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. Germany and its ally, Italy declared war against the United States. The war planners were faced with planning a two-front war against Germany, Italy, and Japan. For over two years British and American planners held conference after conference. During this time, complete generations of young British men were lost to trench warfare because they were stuck in a stale mate with the German military. With this tragic loss of life and thousands of prisoners of war, it had to weigh heavily upon American and British planners. The American and Allied planners and logisticians had to create, field, and supply an organization that could meet and defeat the worst counter attack the enemy was capable of devising.