The Great Crusade

[monkeyboy]

June 6, 1944

 

[BalooTheBear]

Deleted

 

[LuvOrlando]

A worthy day of remembrance here and elsewhere but I wonder do they have a kind word of thanks over there... have a nice thing to say about us at all?

 

[SAHDad]

Crusade???

The Great Campaign maybe, but I don't believe it should be referenced as a crusade....

From Eisenhower,

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
hopes 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 and 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.


SIGNED: Dwight D. Eisenhower

Using "Great Crusade" in the post title, in that context, makes perfect sense.

 

[shirleyb]

My Uncle, who was on one of the Navy landing crafts just died a few months ago. It wasn't until the last few years that he would share any of his WW II memories. I am glad that he did, since that generation is rapidly disappearing.

 

[BalooTheBear]

Deleted

 

[monkeyboy]

From Eisenhower,



Using "Great Crusade" in the post title, in that context, makes perfect sense.

yep

 

[Aisling]

I stand corrected..... Thanks SAHDad

Eisenhower did use the word crusade, but he used it incorrectly.

crusade: from M.Fr. croisade (16c.), Sp. cruzada, both from M.L. cruciata, pp. of cruciare "to mark with a cross," from L. crux (gen. crucis) "cross."

But the title of the thread was correct in context of Eisenhower's speech.

And I have to say I'm a bit ashamed that I didn't realize today was the day, being the patriotic American that I am.