Wednesday was the 63rd anniversary of D-Day, the largest and most important amphibious invasion ever mounted.

The June 6th, 1944 allied invasion of Normandy in France decisively turned the tide of World War Two in Europe and virtually insured the defeat of Nazi Germany, which was simply stretched too thin to fight a war on two fronts. The allied forces that invaded Normandy faced tremendously difficult odds. Germany boasted that it's defense of France from amphibious assault was impenetrable. An allied preparatory exercise before the invasion (called Exercise Tiger) was a disastrous failure, confirming the difficulty of allied communication during such a large-scale invasion. Even the weather seemed to be plotting with the Axis powers, with storms that made the trip across the English Channel especially difficult for the invading allies. Nonetheless, American, Canadian and British forces (combined with the efforts of the French Resistance) mounted the invasion and simply hoped for the best. Failure would leave only the potential for a political solution to World War Two. Essentially, the failure of the Invasion of Normandy would amount to a shabby but real European victory for Hitler.

American, Canadian and British troops marched into Hell on June 6th, 1944. When the few remaining survivors are interviewed today, invariably they say "I didn't expect to be alive at nightfall." It's obvious from their eyes that they mean it. Each of them thought that the invasion of Normandy was a suicide mission. Each of them knew that the free world as we knew it hinged on that invasion. Each of them was willing to try.

Because of the successful Allied invasion of Normandy in 1944, France was ultimately liberated from Nazi domination. Overwhelmed by the Russians to the east and the allies to the west, German forces were defeated. World War Two ended, order was restored to Europe.

It's been 63 years and, frankly, nobody cares anymore.

The generation that fought World War Two has been called The Greatest Generation. That's not entirely accurate. I'd say that a better name for our grandparents would be "The Last Great Generation." If it's an exaggeration, it's only a slight one to say that "they saved the world." It is, however, no exaggeration to say that their children and grandchildren lack even a tenth of their wherewithal.

Our grandparents. The last generation that was capable of any meaningful unity. The last age that could do what needed to be done rather than wallowing in politics and relativism. God bless them. May they forgive us for the way we've wrecked the freedom that they won for us. May they forgive the selfishness of their children, the indifference of their grandchildren, and the eventual surrender of liberty.

Labels: Politics

Permalink -- Posted by Darrell at 07:32