Dodging Bullets

As the men, who were in reality not much more than boys, sat in the LCVP (Landing Craft Vehicle and Personnel) looking toward the beach, they knew that they had just one objective…get to that beach and start fighting. Nevertheless, their wide eyes likely betrayed their concerns about reaching the beach. They knew that many of them would not be returning from this mission, but they also knew that they would do their duty to their country and the world. While they were waiting for their turn, they could hear the gun fire. Still, when their turn came, they quietly left the relative safety of the boat and took to the water.

Many of the men drowned under the weight of their equipment, and that might have been a kinder sort of death. Those who didn’t drown would have the harder task of dodging the hail of bullets that were coming at them from everywhere. There really was no way to escape the bullets, because they couldn’t return to the boats, due to the men coming off behind them. They wouldn’t have turned and run anyway. That wasn’t the way of a brave soldier. They couldn’t run either, because the water they were wading through prevented any kind of fast movement. All they could do, was to slowly plod along, hoping that the bullets would somehow miss them, or miss any vital organs, thus sparing their lives.

For the soldiers who made it to shore, the bullets didn’t stop either. In fact, the firing grew heavier, and to make matters worse, the soldiers firing on them were safely tucked in reinforced concrete pillboxes that were built along the beaches. These housed machine guns, antitank guns, and artillery ranging in size up to the large 40.6 cm naval guns. The intent was to destroy Allied landing craft before they could unload, so their range was long enough to reach well into the path of the disembarking soldiers. While we all know the outcome of this very important and necessary battle, the cost was also great. Dodging bullets, while a great idea, is no easy task, and most people who attempt it, ultimately fail. We are proud and thankful to the brave soldiers who fought and died that day. Approximately 4,414 Allied soldiers died during the invasion, including 2,501 American, 1,449 British, 391 Canadian, and 73 from other allied countries. Their sacrifice proved that when faced with the impossible, these men would not give up. That is courage!! That is bravery!! That is the mark of a true soldier!!