Soldiers, Sailors, and
Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force:
You are about to embark
upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months.
The eyes
of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people
everywhere march with you.
In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms
on other Fronts you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine,
the elimination of Nazi tyranny over oppressed peoples of Europe, and security
for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be
an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He
will fight savagely.
But this is the year
1944. Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our
air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity
to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming
superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great
reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned. The free men of the world
are marching together to victory.
I have full confidence
in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing
less than full victory.
Good Luck! And let us
all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
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