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Show 'Good Luck' ptl'f : ' ' ' ' i" ' I ft jBV..'-:-: KVJs-ff:'rt77J' ' ii ' h'fy Vii i r.iiritrf-nni-t i i!' i' Hi Bombs are happily sped on their way on "D-Day." 'D'-Day Tests Allies' 4 Years Of Planning The most daring undertaking undertak-ing in military history the Allied invasion of western Europe came as the result of four years of complex, methodical me-thodical planning on the part' of United Nation's military leaders. It was just after the "miracle "mira-cle of Dunkirk," when Britain's Brit-ain's army in France was rescued res-cued from almost certain destruction, that Allied military mili-tary leaders began planning for a return trip. Observers recall that except for that almost al-most unbelieveable evacuation, evacua-tion, Britain might have fallen in the months that passed. Dunkirk Dun-kirk was one of the greatest feats of military history, with 337,000 men rescued from that little port city in the face of terrible odds. During the months that followed, Britain was forced to content herself her-self with a superbly courageous defense de-fense of her home islands against the Nazi blitz from the air. The blood, sweat and tears promised by Prime Minister Churchill proved a true prophecy. England suffered bloody blows. The crescendo of the battle was reached in September, 1940. Although air attacks continued, con-tinued, it was then the Germans realized their aerial losses were greater than the results warranted. Although the story has never been told in its entirety, it was then, too, that a hastily planned Nazi invasion of Britain was choked. Fragments of news told how hundreds of German Ger-man invasion boats had been located locat-ed and sunk by the Royal Air force. That, more than anything, proved to the British that an invasion must be carefully, methodically planned to the most minute detail. Then the Commandos were organized organ-ized under Lord Mountbatten. All through the next year they developed devel-oped their own techniques by hit-and-run raids against enemy-held coastal areas. The damage they did managed to keep the Nazis in a constant con-stant state of alertness. Then came the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941. Britain had gained a powerful ally. It marked the beginning of the end for the Axis powers. American troops landed In Northern North-ern Ireland in January, 1942. Plans for the invasion were shaping up. It was only a question of time. Three months later American and British troops invaded French North Africa. The landings, carefully planned and perfectly timed, were brilliantly successful. It was here that an inexperienced American army got its baptism of fire. It learned the caliber of the foe, finding find-ing that the Germans were stubborn, stub-born, brave opponents. In May, 1943, the Americans, British Brit-ish and Fighting French eliminated the Nazis from Africa. Then followed fol-lowed the Invasion of Sicily. It was a surprise assault and resulted in victory in 38 days. The Sicilian campaign cam-paign marked the highest point to that time In Allied cooperation. But they still operated with separata sepa-rata armies, navies and air forces. Complete integration was impossible. impos-sible. Then came the invasion of Italy. A mixed British-American army stormed the Salerno beaches on Sep-tember Sep-tember 9. The landing was successful success-ful because of the smooth combination combi-nation of air, sea and .land forces. British and American air superiority superior-ity was never questioned. Naval units of both nations landed men and equipment and kept them supplied. During all these operations, plans for the invasion were going ahead in England. Nazi propagandists boasted of their fortress, all the while admitting that Invasion was inevitable. The battle of the Atlantic shipping lanes had been won. Submarines were still a menace, but the grave threat had been removed. Huge convoys of men and war materiel moved to Great Britain with losses at a minimum. Air attacks on Germany and on the coast of France were stepped up almost beyond belief. |