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Gene
climber
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Ike has a message prepared that he never had deliver.
'Our landings in the Cherbourg-Haver area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops.
'My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available.
'The troops, the air, and the navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone.'
I can only imagine what current leaders would do to avoid responsibility in situations of similar or lesser magnitude.
Actually, I don't have to imagine.
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Bruce Morris
Social climber
Belmont, California
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Who was the officer that said, "Gentlemen, we are being killed on the beach. Let us move inland and be killed there."?
Toker: It was Colonel George Taylor, commander of the Big Red One's lead assault regiment on Omaha Beach, who actually said:
"Only two kinds of people are going to be on this beach, the dead and those who are going to die. Now get moving!"
He uttered those words while marching confidently up and down the beach, while exposing himself to withering incoming fire.
Colonel Taylor's words are used as the title for historian John C. McManus's new book on the Big Red One on Omaha Beach:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Dead-Those-About-Die/dp/0451415299
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FRUMY
Trad climber
Bishop,CA
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I believe Guyman is right. It was General Norman Cota.
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guyman
Social climber
Moorpark, CA.
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TGT.... thanks for posting that speech.
Bruce, looks like a good book. I am sure that many brave leaders used similar words to save their men.
To stand up, walk around and encourage your guys to stand up, calm down and get to work, is the true sign of raw courage.
..... and Mark, you posting from Spain???
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Bruce Morris
Social climber
Belmont, California
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Yep, McManus's new book is getting great reviews. It's already considered the definitive account of the battle on Omaha Beach. McManus is professor of Military History at the Missouri University of Science and Technology and author of The American Combat Soldier In WWII along with another book on Operation Market Garden. Sounds like an excellent marketing ploy too: releasing this title on the 70th anniversary of D-Day will automatically get a bunch of advanced sales. I ordered a copy for myself yesterday.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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It is very interesting that Rommel was convinced the landing would come at
Pas de Calais. Hitler was sure it would be Normandy but he had such faith
in Rommel that he didn't impose his will as he did in so many other instances.
Rommel also committed some serious tactical errors during the first days of
the invasion when it was still touch and go. He actually thought Normandy
was a feint so he held back major reserves in the Calais area despite overwhelming
intelligence to the contrary. Rommel often went with his gut when intel
said otherwise. This often worked in Africa because of his forces' superior
training and tactics. It didn't work in Normandy.
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