'The true Soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because He loves what is behind him.' -G. K. Chesterton

06 June 2010

D-Day

On June 6th 1944, 5000 ships, 13,000 aircraft and 160,000 troops were involved in an invasion of the French coastline to drive out the enemy and begin the long march to Berlin and the end of the War. 9000 Allied troops were killed or wounded but the rest landed and gained a foothold on the continent that would end with the total defeat of nazi Germany. Army.mil has good coverage today.


It was bold and decisive undertaking, fraught with peril and holding horrible consequences should the invasion fail. It was a true test of man, machine and national will. It wasn't fought half way. It wasn't hamstrung by a media in league with our enemies. The new york times didn't give out the plans prior to the launch. msnbc wasn't there to belittle Eisenhower and question his patriotism and call him vile names. Congress didn't call Marshall to a hearing to explain our losses of men and materiel. Senators didn't get in front of the media and proclaim the war lost on June 7th because we were still fighting our way off the coast. Politicians and their media lap dogs didn't expound on the impossibility of the mission in light of the zeal of the enemy. No one called for us to try and 'understand' the nazi's and their culture. The Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines weren't hamstrung by an ROE that was diametrically opposed to the proposition that wars should be fought to be won.

The armed forces of The United States Of America simply went out and did what needed to be done.


Setting aside force levels and mission training;
How different an outcome could we expect if that invasion were attempted today?
Would we have the national will to do what was necessary?
Do we have the political leadership to stay the course or even recognize the necessity?

To my mind the answers to the second two are I think so and absolutely not. That leaves the consequences as catastrophic.

The solution? Simple. Fire everyone who is contributing to American Entropy, start all over again and don't stop until the answer to the first question is the same as on June 6th, 1944.

Victory.

Six

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