D-Day

EISENHOWER's SPEECH - June 6, 1944 Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hope and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely. But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory! I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory! Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking. New Horizon The Casablanca Conference (codename SYMBOL) was held at the Anfa Hotel in Casablanca, French Morrocco, from January 14 to 24, 1943. During this conference United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, and their advisors planned the Allied European strategy for the next phase of World War II. Operation Overlord was the codename for the Battle of Normandy, the Allied Operation that launched the successful invasion of German-occupied Western Europe during World War II. The operation was launched on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy launchings (Operation Neptune, commonly known as D-Day). A 1,200 plane airborne assault preceded an amphibious assault involving more than 5,000 vessels. Nearly 160,000 troops crossed the English Channel on 6 June, and more than two million Allied troops were in France by the end of August. Early morning, six six 44, the battle has begun Feeling a fear like we've never felt before, still standing strong Pointing out, to as far as we can see, the Channel painted black Couldn't keep my staring eyes off the sea, no turning back [Chorus] Sailing down to a new horizon, to the place of the newborn promised land Willing to sacrifice our lives, to bring an era to its end Allied ships till as far my gaze can reach, urging to the coast Running for cover as artillery is heard, invisible like ghosts Raging grenades as a symphony of hate, a silence that descends Only minutes away from the beach, our fate in God's Hands [Chorus] Drifting down to a new horizon, to the place we will for till the end Determined to sacrifice our lives, to bring an era to its end [Chorus] Sailing down to a new horizon, hand in hand we will be the last to stand Determined to sacrifice our lives, we will fight until the end [Chorus] Drifting down to a new horizon, to the place we will for in the end Determined to sacrifice our lives, for our newborn promised land

Submitted by Finntroll — Apr 26, 2025

Then the major D-Day Landings began in the early morning of 6 June. The Allies had divided the 60-mile coastal stretch for the invasion into five sectors, codenamed Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha and Utah. On the eastern side, British force were predominant at Sword and Gold, while Canadians led at Juno. Out west at Omaha and Utah, it was American forces who landed. D-Day has come to be seen as a great triumph, but that didn't mean the Allies who landed here didn't encounter tough German resistance and suffer some terrible tragedies from the start. Fight, if God's our guide, die with pride, heroes forever Free, victory, dignity, fighting together [Chorus] Counting the hours, now the day has arrived As we're slowly approaching the shore Humanity's watching with God on our side A victory worth dying for? [Chorus2] Lord, overlord, over se, to a foreign wasteland Peace, rest in peace, disbelief, masterplan [Chorus] Counting the hours, now the day has arrived As we're slowly approaching the shore Humanity's watching with God on our side A victory worth dying for? So far away at the end of the sea Will I live to see the evening fall Marching to freedom on Normandy beach Will anyone ever recall? [Chorus2] Lord, overlord, over se, to a foreign wasteland Peace, rest in peace, disbelief, masterplan Sailing away to a land oversea Leaving our loved ones behind Praying the Lord down on Normandy beach The need to survive in our minds With God on our side we're fighting for peace Watching our brave brothers die June, early morning, on Normandy beach I still hear a dying man's cry

Submitted by Dahmers Fridge — Apr 26, 2025

"A nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure." - President Abraham Lincoln Allied aerial bombardments in advance of the D-Day landings were targeted to break up German lines and to bomb strategic spots, notably gun batteries, although these advance raids were not always successful. The invasion of France began in the night of the 5th to 6th June, a few days later than planned, due to bad weather. Gliders delivered specialist airborne troops to the two bridge-ends of the operation, above Caen in the east, and close to Sainte-Mère-Eglise to the west. The British troops who landed in the east successfully took the bridges over the Orne river and its canal. The American forces dropped in the west encountered many more difficulties, including, most famously, one paratrooper getting his parachute caught on the church tower of Sainte-Mère-Eglise. "To pass on the memory, to remember that today we live in peace, freedom and dignity because others gave their lives for us." Dedicated to the English paratroopers of the 2nd Battalion of 6th Air landing commanded by Major John Howard and the Brigade American paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, who made night parachute drops early on D-Day, June 6, followed by 3,937 glider troops flown in by day as the opening maneuver of Operation Neptune - the assault operation for Overlord. Thousands of heroes in the air tonight Covered by shadows in the faded light Guided by silent gliding Horsas in the sky Searching for shelter in the dark and dead of night As we're searching for shelter to try to catch them by surprise In this wounded shattered strange land... [Chorus] If we could find a way to try to turn back the pages of time Back to the days, will the sun ever shine I pray those days will someday arise And that our victory march, our loss of lives will lead to peace, to victory Thousands of heroes in the sky above the sea Floating away to give their lives for victory In the darkness of the night, June 44 To die for peace in an everlasting war As we will pass on the memory, to remind today we live in peace We will always remember... [Chorus] If we could find a way to try to turn back the pages of time Back to the days, will the sun ever shine I pray those days will someday arise And that our victory march, our loss of lives will lead to peace, to victory [Chorus] If we could turn back the pages of time Back to the days, will the sun ever shine I pray those days will someday arise And that our victory march, our loss of lives will lead to peace, to victory

Submitted by VladTheImpaler666 — Apr 26, 2025

Over 425,000 Allied and German troops were killed, wounded or went missing during the Battle of Normandy. This figure includes over 209,000 Allied casualties, with nearly 37,000 dead amongst the ground forces and a further 16,714 deaths among the Allied air forces. Hush little child, don't shed a tear Hush little child, you're safe with me I will keep the dream alive tonight I will see you through this dark and lonely night Another victory is here The end of ruthless fighting near An evil war is coming to an end But the battles made me blind My human conscience left behind The fear of death descends [Chorus] Somewhere over the ocean There's a reason left to go on A memory that keeps me alive in a dream Of a future that some day will come Relentless fires crying out Dead and wounded all around Facing deep and darkest fear Buddies going slowly insane The scent of death inside my brain Don't wanna die out here [Chorus] Somewhere over the ocean There's a purpose worth holding on to A boy, with only a memory of me Far away, but I know I'll come home one day [Chorus] Somewhere over the ocean There's a reason left to go on A memory that keeps me alive in a dream Of a future that some day will come, for everyone

Submitted by Pestilence — Apr 26, 2025

Of the Allied casualties, 83,045 were from 21st Army Group (British, Canadian and Polish ground forces). 125,847 from the US ground forces. The losses of the German forces during the Battle of Normandy can only be estimated. Roughly 200,000 German troops were killed or wounded. The Allies also captured 200,000 prisoners of war. During the fighting around the Falaise Pocket (August 1944) alone, the Germans suffered losses of around 90,000 including prisoners. Today, twenty-seven war cemeteries hold the remains of over 110,000 dead from both sides: 77,866 German, 9,386 American, 17,769 British, 5,002 Canadian and 650 Poles. The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial (French: Cimetière américain de Colleville-sur-Mer) is a World War II cemetery and memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France that honors American troops who died in World War II. Almost 9,400 are buried there. The German cemetery at La Cambe with 21,160 burials is a simple but sombre spot with its black granite crosses and tablets set in the ground. By contrast the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer with its neat rows of white crosses is bright with flowers covering the many memorials to the 9,387 US troops who died in Normandy. The cemetery overlooks Omaha Beach, the scene of the most deadly fighting. Hollow faces all around me In this godforsaken place Are you a friend, or my enemy Empty eyes, they stare right through me Another story left untold Lifeless bodies as far as I can see [Chorus] Ooohh, and as I close my eyes Ooohh, I'm on my way Back home with you where I belong Don't ever wake me up 'Cause after all the hope is gone After everything is done I'll come home to you In the distance of a memory The only answer lies within Will the battle ever set us free [Chorus] Ooohh, but as I close my mind Ooohh, I'm on my way Please forgive me now You know I had to go away Please remember me I'm coming home, I'm coming home some day [Chorus] Ooohh, and as I close my eyes Ooohh, I'm on my way My love, please forgive me now You know I had to go away 'Cause after all the hope is gone After everything is done After all the crowd is gone I'll come home to you

POINTE DU HOC It was the toughest mission of D-Day. Allied plans called for 225 Rangers, including Dog Company, to land on a tiny beach, scale the ten-storey-high cliffs of Pointe du Hoc, France, under a torrent of enemy fire, and destroy the most dangerous gun battery threatening the American portion of the invasion. It was a suicide mission. Allied headquarters projected Ranger casualties would top seventy percent. One intelligence officer remarked: "It can't be done. Three old women with brooms could keep the Rangers from climbing that cliff." When the Rangers reached the top of the cliffs they discovered that the Germans had removed the main armament form Pointe du Hoc. DEAD MAN'S CORNER After landing on the beaches on D-Day, the Allied troops had to make their way further inland, capturing key locations to allow forces from the various beaches to link up. The road, known as causeway #2, leading inland from Utah beach passed through the villages of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, Verville and Saint-Côme-du-Mont, leading into the town of Carentan, an important target. The junction of the roads from Sainte-Marie-du-Mont and Saint-Côme-du-Mont would come to be known as Dead Man's Corner. On June 7, the paratroopers have linked up with a platoon of 6 Shermans and several M5 Stuart light tanks, and were approaching the outskirts of Carentan amidst heavy fighting in the hedgerows. Not far from the town, they came up on a crossroads dominated by a large building, its corner painted red and white: the headquarters and aid station for the 6th Fallschirmjäger.The Stuart at the head of the line was knocked out right at the crossroads by a Panzerfaust fired by Bruno Hinz. The shot killed the tank commander 1st Lt. Walter T. Anderson, whose body was left hanging out of the hatch. In the first days following D-Day, priority lay with getting the troops and artillery off the Utah Beachhead and moving inland; there was no time to deal with the dead and wounded. The Stuart, with Lt. Anderson still hanging out of the turret, was moved to the side of the road to make way for the line of tanks to proceed towards Carentan. With D-Day being imminent, the Germans had removed all road signs in Normandy to make it as hard as possible for the Allied invasion troops to find their bearings. As a consequence, there was no road sign at this particular crossroads pointing the way to Carentan. The Stuart tank became a reference point for the troops moving inland and the soon started to refer to the crossroads as "the corner with the tank with the dead man in it", which was later shortened to Dead Man's Corner, the name by which it's known today. PEGASUS BRIDGE On the night 5 June 1944, a force of 181 men, led by Major John Howard, took off from RAF Tarrant Rushton in Dorset, southern England in six Horsa gliders to capture Pegasus Bridge, and also "Horsa Bridge", a few hundred yards to the east, over the Orne River. The force was composed of D Company (reinforced with two platoons of B Company), 2nd Battalion, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry; 20 sappers of the Royal Engineers of 249 Field Company (Airborne); and men of the Glider Pilot Regiment. The object of this action was to prevent German armour from crossing the bridges and attacking the eastern flank of the landings at Sword Beach. Five of the Ox and Bucks gliders landed as close as 47 yards from their objectives from 16 minutes past midnight. The attackers poured out of their battered gliders, completely surprising the German defenders, and took the bridges within 10 minutes. Waiting, for the moment to come and set foot on holy ground A silent fear burns through our veins Climbing, but the armour op top of the mountain can't be found Silent screams, still death dreams [Chorus] Stay with me till this night is through, don't you ever leave me I don't know where it's going to, but I don't wanna die here Haunted, like a deer in the woods when there's nowhere left to hide Not a place to shelter Counting, the bodies around us we had to sacrifice It's the price to pay in hell [Chorus] Stay with me till the morning light, 'cause this evil night I fear I don't care if we're wrong or right, but I don't wanna die here What do you see if you we could turn back the time, nobody lives forever Days passing by, things still remain, fighting for peace together Waiting, for the moment you know that'll come to say goodbye There'll be no one left to blame Hoping, 'cause today ain't the day, meant for me to die Still the memories remain [Chorus] Hold me close till this night is through, 'cause I don't wanna let you go I don't know where we're going to, but I don't want to die here I don't care if we're wrong or right, 'cause this evil night I fear Stay with me till the morning light, 'cause I don't wanna die here

Submitted by Corpse Grinder — Apr 26, 2025

Peggy S. Harris and 1st Lt. Billie D. Harris were married for just six weeks before 1st Lt. Harris deployed in World War II. Harris was flying a mission over Nazi-occupied France when his plane was shot down and crashed into the woods near a small town in Normandy. He never returned home. Peggy was on a 60-year journey to find answers to her husbands whereabouts. Eyes closed, but I'm still wide awake Drowning in a sea of tears Of sacrifice and disbelief Head down, my soul torn apart Promises we couldn't keep I try to cry myself to sleep [Chorus] Somewhere deep inside, there's a shelter I can hide Far from pain, so far from here, far away To where the stars will reach Dreaming, drifting back in time Wondering why what's destined slips away And only memories still remain Fearing, the years that lie ahead Oh, I just want to go to sleep And bring you one night sooner back to me [Chorus] Somewhere deep inside, in the shadows where I'll hide Far from where it's too hard to be, I will go To where your light will reach But someday I won't care, When the pain's too hard to bear I won't fear, the end that's near, then it's through When I will be with you

Submitted by Finntroll — Apr 26, 2025

The invasion of Northern France in 1944 was the most significant victory of the Western Allies in the Second World War. American, British, Canadian and Polish forces established a foothold on the shores of Normandy, and, after a protracted and costly campaign to reinforce their gains, broke out into the French interior and began a headlong advance. The German Army suffered a catastrophe greater than that of Stalingrad, the defeat in North Africa or even the massive Soviet summer offensive of 1944. Staring into the sadness of a cold and wasted mind Turning away from the madness leaving shadows far behind My conscience went astray, as the memories fade away [Chorus] When eternity waits, when forever's our fate When I'm reaching out, I will turn to you On the wings of time Waiting for all that I fear now, the silence of the shadows in the night, oh I'm torn apart and I'm twisted by anger and fear, that runs through my veins 'Cause somehow, nothing ever feels right The mission is complete, a devil's son's defeat, 'cause [Chorus] When victory's near and our destiny's clear When it's too far to reach I'll come home to you On the wings of time The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil For You are with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life And I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever When we're guided by fear, it'll all stay the same When salvation is near, there'll be no one to blame When a past drifts away and the future gets clear Destination is destined, then victory's near [Chorus] When eternity waits, and forever's our fate When I'm reaching out, I will turn to you On the wings of time [Chorus] 'Cause when victory's near and our destiny's clear When it's too far away, I will run to you On the wings of time CHURCHILL's SPEECH - May 8, 1945 - End Of The War In Europe Yesterday morning at 2:41 a.m. at Headquarters, General Jodl, the representative of the German High Command, and Grand Admiral Dönitz, the designated head of the German State, signed the act of unconditional surrender of all German Land, sea, and air forces in Europe to the Allied Expeditionary Force, and simultaneously to the Soviet High Command. Today is "Victory in Europe's Day", tomorrow will also be "Victory in Europe's Day". But let us not forget for a moment the toil and efforts that lie ahead. Japan, with all her treachery and greed, remains unsubdued. The injury she has inflicted on Great Britain, the United States, and other countries, and her detestable cruelties, call for justice and retribution. We must now devote all our strength and resources to the completion of our task, both at home and abroad. Advance, Britannia! Long live the cause of freedom! God save the King! German armed forces surrendered unconditionally on May 7. Hostilities in Europe ended officially at midnight, May 8. 1945.

Submitted by Finntroll — Apr 26, 2025

Victory in Europe Day was celebrated on 8 May 1945 to mark the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces. The formal surrender of the Germa forces occupying the Channel Islands did not occur until the following day, 9 May 1945. It thus marked the end of World War II in Europe. on 30 April 1945, Adolf Hitler, the Nazi leader, committed suicide during the Battle of Berlin. Germany's surrender therefore, was authorised by his successor, Reichpräsident Karl Dönitz. The administration headed by Dönitz was known as the Flensburg Government. The preliminary act of military surrender was signed on 7 May in Reims, France, and the final document was signed on 8 May in Berlin, Germany. In the darkness of my mind The place where I don't wanna be Lies an answer deep inside, I know In the shadows of the shapes That change the night into a day That's where I want to hide And when I'll go there, I want you there with me alone To share our tears, and face all fears, and bring me right back home [Chorus] Run from eternity, from reality, but don't ever fear march to victory Fight, but don't ever hide, 'cause you'll never be, free your mind and march to victory Run from eternity, from reality, but don't ever fear march to victory Fight, but don't ever hide, 'cause you'll never be, free your mind and march to victory When the strength you left behind, after all is said and done Can't fight the demons in your mind I know that someday you'll survive, I know that someday you will learn To leave this war behind you 'Cause when you'll go there, I wish you let me come with you To face your fears and share your tears, I know we'll make it through [Chorus] Run from eternity, from reality, but don't ever fear march to victory Fight, but don't ever hide, 'cause you'll never be, free your mind and march to victory Run from eternity, from reality, but don't ever fear march to victory Fight, but don't ever hide, 'cause you'll never be, free your mind and march to victory I will make it through the darkness of my mind I will finally find my way And I will fight the ghosts that haunt me night and day I will find my way back home [Chorus] Run from eternity, from reality, but don't ever fear march to victory Fight, but don't ever hide, 'cause you'll never be, free your mind and march to victory Run from eternity, from reality, but don't ever fear march to victory Fight, but don't ever hide, 'cause you'll never be, free your mind and march to victory [Chorus] Run from eternity, from reality, but don't ever fear march to victory Fight, but don't ever hide, 'cause you'll never be, free your mind and march to victory Run from eternity, from reality, but don't ever fear march to victory Fight, but don't ever hide, 'cause you'll never be, free your mind and march to victory (Not all wounds are visible - "March To Victory" is especially dedicated to all veterans who suffer from PTSD; Have Faith!)

Submitted by Dahmers Fridge — Apr 26, 2025

After our 6th album "Heaven And Beyond" was released we felt a very strong urge to create an album with a deeper message within. We thought that the time was right to create something with a higher purpose. Early 2018 we made a trip to Normandy with the band. It was a birthday present we gave to our friend and colleague Peter Vink. We stayed there in a cabin on the beach, freezing our asses off, but what we saw and felt there right from the beginning was devastating and it really grabbed us by the throat; being there, on the exact same soil, where enormous numbers of brave men lost their lives. They fought on these beaches, in the villages, in the air, and at sea - for freedom; they fought for our freedom. In today's world we see a lot of grief, anger, disbelieve, misunderstanding, but above all... fear. Not only fear for the other, for the unknown, but also fear to reach out again... We hope that this album will be a statue of freedom for everyone. Let us all remember these great soldiers who fought for us, died for us, and sowed the seeds of a future in peace. Let us be aware of the fact that this future in peace is a valuable, but vulnerable thing. "The future depends om what you do today." - Mahatma Ghandi - Well, I can still remember, as I'm walking down these streets The memory feels like yesterday, now it all comes back to me I watch the children play outside, under a hazy summer sky And I can still remember, the way you held me when I cried Well, I can still remember, although that time it heals the pain The images of men in black, forever etched into my brain Gazing through the window, and see my mother's silent cry Turning to the sky above, asking God the reasons why [Chorus] Somewhere out there, where the sun drowns in the sea Somewhere under the clear blue sky there's a time for victory Well, I can still remember as the years they passed us by Asking question to my mom: "Why did my daddy had to die" "Your daddy died a hero", and I'm sure we'll make it through When you remember him when you go to sleep, I know he'll always be with you! Oh, just remember him He gave his life for freedom [Chorus] Somewhere out there, where the clouds drown in the sea Somewhere under the clear blue sky there is hope for victory Someday, somehow, when the battles have been done Someday under a clear blue sky, there'll be freedom for everyone When I'm looking back in time, to see the world that we create I still watch the children play, 'cause they don't know 'bout grief or hate So I tell them ancient stories, about our heroes of war So they never will forget, it was our freedom worth dying for [Chorus] Somewhere, somewhere out there, where the sun drowns in the sea Somewhere under the clear blue sky there's a time for victory Someday, somehow, when the battles have been won Someday under a clear blue sky, there'll be freedom for everyone

Submitted by BloodShrine — Apr 26, 2025