File:Cable from General Dwight D. Eisenhower to General George C. Marshall Regarding D-Day Landings.gif

English: Cable from General Dwight D. Eisenhower to General George C. Marshall Regarding D-Day Landings

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SHAEF STAFF MESSAGE CONTROL INCOMING MESSAGE

SHAEF CP Filed 060800B June.

SHAEF 83/06 TOR 060930B June

URGENT

FROM: SHAEF COMMAND POST, PERSONAL FROM GENERAL EISENHOWER TO: AGWAR-TO GENERAL MARSHALL FOR HIS EYES ONLY; SHAEF FOR INFORMATION

REF NO: 90016, 6 June 1944

Local time is now 8 in the morning.

I have as yet no information concerning the actual landings nor of our progress through beach obstacles. Communique will not be issued until we have word that leading ground troops are actually ashore.

All preliminary reports are satisfactory. Airborne formations apparently landed in good order with losses out of approximately 1250 airplanes participating about 30. Preliminary bombings by air went off as scheduled. Navy reports sweeping some mines, but so far as is known channels are clear and operation proceeding as planned. In early morning hours reaction from shore batteries was sufficiently light that some of the naval spotting planes have returned awaiting call.

The weather yesterday which was original date selected was impossible all along the target coast. Today conditions are vastly improved both by sea and air and we have the prospect of at least reasonably favorable weather for the next several days.

Yesterday, I visited British troops about to embark and last night saw a great portion of a United States airborne division just prior to its takeoff. The enthusiasm, toughness and obvious fitness of every single man were high and the light of battle was in their eyes.

I will keep you informed.

DISTRIBUTION:

SUPREME COMMANDER CHIEF OF STAFF SGS Gen. Strong (G-2) Gen. Bull (G-3) DECLASSIFIED DOD DIR. 5200.10, June 29, 1960 NE by WCL date 6-29-67

COPY NO 1

SUPREME COMMANDER