Illinois Sen. Scott M. Bennett | SenatorBennett.com
Illinois Sen. Scott M. Bennett | SenatorBennett.com
Illinois Sen. Scott M. Bennett reflected on the anniversary of D-Day, the Allied invasion of Normandy Beach during World War II in 1944.
People often wonder what the "D" in D-Day stands for, and the answer may be more mundane than most expect. During World War I, the Army military planners used "H-hour" and "D-day" as placeholders to refer to hours and dates of operations before they had official start times or to keep them secret, PBS reported. The "D," therefore, was likely just a placeholder for the date.
"2022 marks the 78th anniversary of D-Day," Bennett said on Facebook. "A day to honor the brave service members who fought in the battle that led to the end of World War II. Today, we reflect on the sacrifice of those who died in battle."
President Dwight D. Eisenhower originally selected June 5, 1944, as the day for the launch of the Battle of Normandy, which was known as Operation Overlord, but weather issues caused a postponement, the History Channel reported. After Eisenhower's weather expert predicted better weather for June 6, Eisenhower set the operation in motion.
"You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months," Eisenhower told the troops. "The eyes of the world are upon you."
With the closest mainland European area to Great Britain, Pas de Calais, being heavily fortified, Operation Overlord planners instead chose Normandy's beaches as the landing point for the invasion, the U.S. Army said on its site. Normandy was also close to air cover, allowing for increased support from aircraft.
"Airborne drops at both ends of the beachheads were to protect the flanks, as well as open up roadways to the interior," the Army said. "Six divisions were to land on the first day; three U.S., two British and one Canadian. Two more British and one U.S. division were to follow up after the assault division had cleared the way through the beach defenses."
Though the operation often did not go according to plan, the Allies were ultimately successful in their task, the Army said.
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