64 years ago today - Dallas Cowboys Forum

Cajuncowboy · 06-06-2008

Was D-Day.

And in light of what we learned today on the main forum, in honor of Scott Haggerty and all of the vets, I'm putting down my gun (figuratively) and dropping all of the arguing for today.

We all have one thing in common and I want to rally around that tonight.

Good night all.

Vintage · 06-06-2008

Its 7:41 here.... Way to wait until most of the day is over......

ConcordCowboy · 06-06-2008

Bizwah · 06-06-2008

During the first wave, 95% of the men were killed before setting foot off the boat.

Incredible.

The valor displayed by those men was unbelievable. They're true heroes.

**BrAinPaiNt** · 06-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajuncowboy

Was D-Day.

And in light of what we learned today on the main forum, in honor of Scott Haggerty and all of the vets, I'm putting down my gun (figuratively) and dropping all of the arguing for today.

We all have one thing in common and I want to rally around that tonight.

Good night all.

Now this is the type of thread I can appreciate and respect.

That is a compliment and ONLY a compliment.

The30YardSlant · 06-06-2008

They were truly America's greatest generation

Hostile · 06-06-2008

One of my neighbors, Bill Lindskog, was in that invasion. I love talking to him about WWII. He loves Patton like no soldier I have ever heard talk about him. In my opinion he's one of the greatest men I have ever known. About 4 years ago he gave me a 12 gauge shotgun because it's now too much gun for him to shoot.

burmafrd · 06-07-2008

Do NOT exagerate. We did not lose 95% of the first wave. Omaha was bad but it was not THAT bad.
The First 30 minutes of Saving Private Ryan is the best footage you will ever see that comes closest to showing what happened. I have talked to a lot of vets who were there who have told me that film gave them flashbacks like nothing else they had ever seen, including combat film.

Bizwah · 06-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by burmafrd

Do NOT exagerate. We did not lose 95% of the first wave. Omaha was bad but it was not THAT bad.
The First 30 minutes of Saving Private Ryan is the best footage you will ever see that comes closest to showing what happened. I have talked to a lot of vets who were there who have told me that film gave them flashbacks like nothing else they had ever seen, including combat film.

I was just quoting what was in Stephen Ambrose's book, Citizen Solider.

arglebargle · 06-07-2008

I think what that quote meant was that 95% of the casualties were hit before they got to the beach. Not that there were 95% casualties in the wave total.

Got to agree about Saving Private Ryan. Talked to a number of vets after getting out of the movie, and they were really impressed by the authenticity of the landing sequances.

Jon88 · 06-07-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hostile

One of my neighbors, Bill Lindskog, was in that invasion. I love talking to him about WWII. He loves Patton like no soldier I have ever heard talk about him. In my opinion he's one of the greatest men I have ever known. About 4 years ago he gave me a 12 gauge shotgun because it's now too much gun for him to shoot.

Or so he claims.

burmafrd · 06-07-2008

12 Gauge has quite a kick. For a man who is at least 81 or 82 years old it probably is too much.

CanadianCowboysFan · 06-08-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bizwah

During the first wave, 95% of the men were killed before setting foot off the boat.

Incredible.

The valor displayed by those men was unbelievable. They're true heroes.

that number is a tad high.

Casualties were high but no way were 95% killed

I was in Normandy back in 2001, was a moving experience.

My wife and I were the only Canadians on the tour so it didn't stop at the Canadian beach Juno, but we made sure everyone knew it was the Canadian beach as we passed it.

Standing in gun emplacements and in the shell holes at Pointe du Hoc knowing that guys who were 19, 20, 21 died there was humbling.

Bizwah · 06-08-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianCowboysFan

that number is a tad high.

Casualties were high but no way were 95% killed

I was in Normandy back in 2001, was a moving experience.

My wife and I were the only Canadians on the tour so it didn't stop at the Canadian beach Juno, but we made sure everyone knew it was the Canadian beach as we passed it.

Standing in gun emplacements and in the shell holes at Pointe du Hoc knowing that guys who were 19, 20, 21 died there was humbling.

I would say to take it up with Ambrose....but he died a few years ago...I think.

95% is not exaggerating. Now...it does not mean that 95% died on the beaches at all. Take this into consideration. And this is the initial wave, BTW.

32 DD tanks were launched about 5 miles from the beach. 27 sank almost immediately. Of the five that remained, only 3 made it to the beach. All of the DUKs containing artillery sank on the way. The fact that supporting armour DID NOT make it to the beach helped lead to some pretty bad losses when the infantry arrived. Two companies of Rangers suffered 50% casualties before reaching the sea-wall.

That doesn't take into consideration the landing craft that were already zeroed. The Germans had that entire beach covered...they knew all the ranges. The leading company suffered 4000 casualties alone. The casualty rate for landing troops was 50%.

So, I don't see how 95% killed before any troops set a boot on the sand is any stretch at all.

Omar Bradley wanted to leave Omaha and focus on Utah. He was told that would not happen....fortunately, our troops continued on.

Anyway, Juno had horrors of its own....as did all other beaches. I believe it was Juno where landing vehicles had to drive over their own dead soldiers.

I think many of us have forgotten what sacrifice really means. I find it sad that our state curriculum doesn't focus more on history.

Mavs Man · 06-08-2008

I wonder what it must have been like to be in the second wave during a battle like that. You can look down and see firsthand the results of the first wave, yet still march on.