One of the most famous days in history is known as D-Day. But what are some interesting facts about D-Day that you didn’t know about? The Normandy landings were the landing operations and airborne operations on June 6, 1944, of the Allied invasion of Normandy during the Second World War. It was also the largest invasion in history, which began the liberation of France and the rest of Western Europe. And these are some little-known facts about that day that you should learn about.
5. The Future Author
Jerome David Salinger, or just J.D. Salinger, is most known for his 1951 novel The Catcher in the Rye. But before his famed story was published, he published several short stories in Story magazine in 1940, then went ahead and served in World War II. But one of the most interesting, little-known facts is that he was present at Utah Beach on D-Day, in the Battle of the Bulge, and the Battle of Hürtgen Forest. He carried chapters of the novel with him.
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4. The Wounded Medic
There are several known heroes when it comes to D-Day, but there are some unsung heroes that deserve some recognition. One of these heroes includes Waverly B. Woodson, Jr., who was a medic with an African American combat unit. Unfortunately, a German shell blasted his landing craft, peppering him with shrapnel. Nevertheless, he managed to set up a medical aid station and occupied himself with removing bullets, dispensing blood plasma, cleaning wounds, resetting bones, and at one point even amputating a foot. The man treated at least 200 men, and then finally collapsed from his injuries.
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3. The Role of Spies
There are several key strategies when winning battles. It’s not only about the battle on the field, but what comes before it. And one of the most interesting facts about D-Day that not many know is the role of spies and misinformation that played a major part in its success. Allied did all they could to convince the Nazis that an invasion would not take place at Normandy. Leading up to the day, every German spy in England had been captured and turned into a double agent, which informed Nazi handlers that the invasion was planned for Calais. This allowed the Allies to have the upper hand when it came to the invasion.
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2. 56-Year-Old General
Another unsung hero that not many are aware of is Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr., son of Teddy himself, fought on D-Day. But that’s not the coolest part. The 56-year-old general wasn’t even supposed to be there. The man was riddled with arthritis and wasn’t expected to survive the landing, and so his division commander denied two verbal requests from Roosevelt to take part in the landings. This didn’t slow him down, though. After a written request was reluctantly approved, he stormed Utah Beach with the first wave with the help of his cane and a pistol, ultimately changing the entire plan of attack, saving many of his comrades, and earning himself the Medal of Honor.
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1. Eisenhower’s Message
Nothing is certain, even when there’s an upper hand. And one of the most interesting facts about D-Day that you might not know is General Eisenhower’s message. In the days before the invasion, Eisenhower secretly wrote a statement now known as the “In Case of Failure” message, which was to be released if the invasion failed. The letter saw Eisenhower taking full blame for the failure, saying, “My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available. The troops, the air, and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do.” Thankfully, the operation was a success, although with a terrible cost that historians are still investigating.
