American Valor Quarterly Issue 6 - Spring/Summer 2009 | Page 15

of phosphorus the craft
was leaving behind, and I
thought the Germans must
be able to see it too, and
would pinpoint their sights
on us.
History has recorded the
near collapse of our sector
because of the storm. There
are many films portraying
the mishaps but none as
horrifying as my first view
of the scene. We were
trained to keep our heads
down until time to unload,
but being in command I
felt it better to know what
was going on around us.
I looked over and ahead
many times and what I saw
was terrifying. No cameras
filmed the pictures left in
my mind. While in training
we were told of all the
things that would be done
in order but to see it all
Map demonstrating the Allied invasion plans and German positions, June 6, 1944.
come together was mindthink the greatest dread and fear was felt at this time. The waiting
boggling. The size of it
all was stunning. The emotions were mixed between fear and is always the