Today is D-Day. No, not Deb’s Return to The Killzone Day. I am glad to be back, though! Thank you to those who filled in on Fridays during my hiatus. 😊
Now, let’s talk about the real D-Day.
We often usurp the term D-Day to describe events of lesser import—such as work assignment deadlines, bills due, even personal stuff, like weddings or maybe divorces finalized.
But the real D-Day back in 1944 was (and still is) a day to remember. Because it was a day that sealed the fate of one of the real enemies of mankind.
According to my D-Day research, “Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the Allied operation that launched the successful liberation of German-occupied Western Europe during World War II. The operation was launched on 6 June 1944 (D-Day) with the Normandy landings, Operation Neptune.” (From Wikipedia)
Many books have been written, and many movies have been created about this period in history. I happen to be one of those movie-goers who would choose a war movie over a romance every day and twice on Sundays. But what’s important is in the next paragraph.
I will be forever grateful for those brave men and women who fought these battles, and for those who gave their lives on this day. Which brings to mind a 102-year-old gentleman, the father of a friend of ours. Still spry, with a sense of humor and a knack for the flirt, he is one who thankfully returned to his family.
Many Americans, along with our allied forces and their families and loved ones, however, gave their all so that I can sit here writing this post for you to read. Sometimes I just can’t wrap my head around that. I ask myself, if I’d been in that generation, would I have been willing to sacrifice myself, or a husband or child?
Think a moment. Try to imagine what our world would look like if this day had never happened, and those enemies had not been defeated.
I think, maybe, our world would be much different.
Comments welcome.
Welcome back, Deb! It’s wonderful to see you helming Reader Fridays here again at TKZ.
Operation Overlord was indeed an epic undertaking against great odds. The Allies had to deal with breaching the so-called Atlantic Wall in Normandy, created by the Desert Fox, Erwin Rommel, and bring reinforcements and supplies in at a prodigious rate to protect the landing zones against the inevitable German counterattack as well as breakout from the Normandy lodgment to begin the Battle for France. One of the most fascinating aspects of the campaign was Fortitude, the deception campaign to fool Hitler and the German high command into believing the main Allied landings would be at the Pas De Calais. Needless to say, the deception succeeded.
The sacrifice of the Greatest Generation still fills me with awe. They truly saved the world.
As for what the world would have looked like if the Nazis had won in Europe, it would have been a terrible place, especially if the Germans had developed nuclear weapons. British thriller writer Robert Harris’s first novel, Fatherland, set in April 1964, depicts this alternate history. It’s a gripping, dark thriller.
I’m reminded of The Philip K. Dick novel, _The Man in the High Castle_ (though I continue to think of it as The Man in the White CASTLE – burgers anyone?).
Anyway…
That slim novel was made into a significantly expanded streaming series a couple of years ago that was creepy to say the least – the Nazis forced a surrender by dropping a nuclear bomb on Washington after the assassination of FDR, with both the Nazis and the Japanese respectively occupying the eastern and western parts of the defeated United States, and a “Neutral Zone” in the Rockies harboring the resistance.
The Prime series was set in the 1960’s as well and did an interesting job of mixing in things that would later become commonplace – like Concorde-esque flights between Berlin and New York.
The swastikas everywhere in NYC were somewhat disturbing (to say the least).
Being a kind of alt-history buff, I’ll have to check out _Fatherland_ – literally from the library (with a nod and thanks to you, Dale…)
And yes, ditto the welcome “home” Deb… 😊
Hi George!
Your description of The Man in the High Castle reminds me of William Forstchen’s One Second After series. Not about WWII, but about what happens in the US after an EMP strike that takes out just about all communications, and anything that has a computer chip. His description of all cars–made with on-board computers–on every road and highway coasting to a stop at the same time was chilling.
Thanks for stopping by, and it is good to be “home”…
Hey, Dale . . . don’t you just love it when a plan comes together? I *knew* when I put this post together that some of you would teach me some stuff about WWII and the Normandy landing. I’m a history buff of sorts, but there’s lots I don’t know.
Such as the deception campaign to fool Hitler and the German high command into believing the main Allied landings would be at the Pas De Calais. Fascinating!
I’ll have to check out Fatherland. Sounds like a good read.
Thanks for stopping by and the “welcome back”… 🙂
My dad was a pilot of a small plane in the Army Air Corps who worked as a liaison pilot for the RAF then in Northern Africa. He mainly transported important officers and flew reconnaissance flights. Africa destroyed his health, and he spent the end of the war in the US training pilots so he missed D-Day. Mom worked for the War Department. The Greatest Generation.
I follow Kagan Dunlap’s YouTube channel. He mainly follows military news, and his images of drone warfare are incredible. The Ukrainian war has changed modern warfare forever. He was also the channel that offered most of the news after Hurricane Helene destroyed Western North Carolina, and he helped bring in military aid. Hence, why I am so loyal to his channel.
Thanks for chiming in, Marilyn. The Greatest Generation indeed.
Maybe I’ll check out Dunlap’s YT channel.
I’ve never really thought about your statement, The Ukrainian war has changed modern warfare forever. But it’s true. And we can’t put that genie back in the bottle, I’m afraid.
Have a great weekend…
I am indeed thankful for the service and sacrifice of so many who ensured that our enemies would not win. It’s also a further reminder that, while I suppose there may be exceptions in fiction, we always write it so the good guy wins. Who wants to read book after book of the villain coming out on top?
Thinking of D-Day also brought to my mind that James Arness (aka Marshal Matt Dillon of Gunsmoke) was injured in WW2 – had his leg shattered by machine gun fire & lost part of his foot. But upon looking it up, realized that he suffered that injury not at Normandy but at the invasion of Anzio, Italy on Jan. 22, 1944. Also did not know til looking it up that he joined the Army because his first choice–fighter pilot, was not possible because evidently pilots could be no taller than 6′ 2″ and he was 6′ 7″. Also the article says he was the first sent off the ship, again because of his height, to test the depth of the water as they debarked.
Also a sobering reminder for fiction writers — we write fight scenes, car chases, shootouts and the like. But for some people, it’s all up close and personal.
Good morning, Brenda.
Who wants to read book after book of the villain coming out on top? Indeed, a little of that goes a long way.
The details about James Arness were new to me. I had no idea he was so tall! And, he was the first sent off the ship, again because of his height, to test the depth of the water as they debarked. That’d sure make a good scene in a movie, right?
Have a great day!
I don’t need to imagine much. I wouldn’t be here. My family, my community burned to ashes and then scattered in the winds. Many of my friends would be enslaved or deported to Africa, to die there.
I don’t need to imagine much as the philosophical children of the America First crowds scream for my death cheer people who kill my family. Today, not in an alternate universe, people will chant for my death.
In about nine hours I will join my children for the Sabbath Prayers. The past two weeks have included the armed guards to move into action. This week my oldest child reminded me she needed to fill out a Durable Power of Attorney listing where she would like to be buried; at home in the United States, a private burial in Israel, or in the tomb of the victims of terror in Israel. She hadn’t told me before this week. There was a fire bomb attack two blocks from where she was in Haifa.
Good morning, Alan.
I don’t need to imagine much.
Sometimes we (I) forget that some folks are still living it. Thank you for this well-written, stark reminder that where I live is not where millions of others live.
Hoping and praying for the best for you and yours.
You gave me much to think about, Alan, especially since I know both your daughters. After all the suffering and death of WWII, Jewish people are once again being attacked. Did all those men and women in D Day die for nothing?
Hi Elaine.
Yes, I was thinking the same thing. So sad.
Almost like the folks who have tried to downplay, or erase completely, the horror of that period of human history now have new tools for their cause.
Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you, Jim.
What a President he was. (He enlisted for military service the same year my mother was born.)
And his words in that short clip say it all for me. Heroes, every one…
Have a great day!
“I happen to be one of those movie-goers who would choose a war movie over a romance every day and twice on Sundays.”
I’m right with you there, Deb. Which I suppose is odd, since I write a lot of romantic suspense, but I also write heroes, and there’s no better place to find them.
Thanks for the lovely commemoration of this incredible day.
Afternoon, Justine!
Books and movies: give me spies, soldiers, cool weapons, and heroes…and I’m a happy gal!
81 years ago today humanity won. Let’s hope, God willing, we never have to do it again; but if we do, let’s hope we are this century’s greatest generation.
Thanks for stopping by!
Welcome back to Fridays, Deb.
Sadly few of the Greatest Generation are still alive. Thank you for reminding us of the unimaginable sacrifices they made to literally save the world.
Today’s rising antisemitism is a horrifying echo of 1930s Germany. Please, never again.
Thanks, Debbie! It’s good to be back.
Today’s rising antisemitism is a horrifying echo of 1930s Germany.
I just can’t wrap my head around it. I hope a resounding majority of people around the globe will rise up and speak out against it.
Have a good day, my friend!
Welcome back, Deb!
My husband is a Navy veteran, and we belong to a local veteran’s group. It’s an honor to go to meetings and sit with the heroes who have defended our freedoms. We still have a couple of WWII vets in attendance.
A few years ago, Frank and I served in Israel for a couple of months We worked in a food distribution facility and loved our experience there. We’re proud to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters.
Hi Kay!
My dad’s a Navy vet, and my bro is a CG vet. Several others, uncles, grandpas, and cousins had the honor of serving also. IMHO, there’s no group of people more deserving of respect than our veterans. I try to always shake the hand of a veteran when we meet.
Thank you to you and Frank for serving our Jewish friends and families…have you written about that experience?
Have a great weekend!
If D-Day hadn’t happened, all of Europe today would be ruled by unelected Socialist bureaucrats from a city starting with ‘B’. There would be no freedom of speech; citizens would be arrested for expressing the wrong thoughts in print.
HEY, WAIT A MINUTE!