JUNE 6TH: A VERY IMPORTANT DATE IN HISTORY

This is a very important date in history for a couple of reasons. Everyone knows and celebrates D-day, but also on this date in 1942 the Battle of Midway was raging in the Pacific.

D-DAY: JUNE 6TH, 1944

June 6th 1944, better known as D-Day, was the first day of the allied invasion of Europe. This was the start of the liberation of Europe from the occupation it had endured for over four years. In 1939 and 1940 Hitler had aggressive taken control of the European continent for the most part. Finally in 1944 the Allies were finally ready to retake what Hitler at conquered.

First up was a landing to made in France from there bases in England. Normandy was chosen for the landing. It was hoped that the Germans wouldn't expect the invasion to start here. To help accomplish this a variety of subterfuge was used. One of these was creating a fictional Army under George S. Patton, leading the Germans to believe that he would command the invasion. Non of it was true.

The day of the invasion was not perfect, in fact it was far from that from the weather standpoint. This played into the allies hands. The U.S., British and Canadian troops were to land on four beaches: Sword, Juneau, Utah and Omaha. The bloodiest of these turned out to be Omaha. On this beach elements of the U.S. 1st and 29th Infantry Division landed. At one point, it was so bad that General Bradly almost called off this part of the invasion. But they did eventually overcome the German defenses. Omaha is depicted in the movie "Saving Private Ryan"

When all was said and done the Germans were defeated. It took almost another year, but this was the beginning of the end.

THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY: JUNE 4-7, 1942

This was the turning point in the Pacific war with Japan. Up until this point their was no stopping the Japanese. Starting with Pearl Harbor six months before, it had been one victory after another for them. That was about to change.

It was discovered by breaking the Japanese Navy's codes that they would attack Midway atoll next. The US Navy set a trap for them. The battle started on June 4th with a Japanese air attack on Midway. By the end of the day they had lost 4 carriers, the backbone of their navy. The US only lost one. The Jab Navy never really recovered and within a year was on the defensive throughout the Pacific. They finally surrendered in August 1945. The battle lasted another 3 days, but the main action was over by then.

So as you can see this was a pivotal day in World War II in both the Pacific and in Europe. Two battles, two different years, same result. The beginning of the fall of two very evil empires. 'TILL NEXT TIME.- THE GREAT ONE