Letters from an American - D-Day

Episode Date: June 6, 2026

June 5, 2026In his June 5th, 1944 Fireside Chat, FDR let Americans know that Rome had fallen to Allied troops, He emphasized how troops from many nations had worked together to defeat the forces of fascism, And he warned that this was just the beginning of the path to victory, FDR knew, but did not tell his audience, that the Allies were on their way into France, That evening, General Dwight D Eisenhower’s order read that the eyes of the world were upon the Allies, and he assured the troops that they were on their way to victory,  Eisenhower’s confidence disguised his appreciation of the risks of the operation, Eisenhower had written a letter, to be sent if the invasion failed, In the letter he took full responsibility and praised the members of the military, But the letter was never delivered as on June 6, 1944, in the largest amphibious invasion in military history, the Allies had successfully stormed the beaches of Normandy, Thousands died or were wounded, but the operation established an essential foothold in France.Watch today's recording here: https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribeYou can also find me:Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson Get full access to Letters from an American at heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe

June 5th, 26. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had good news for the American people when he gave his 29th fireside chat on June 5th, 1944. The day before, June 4th, Rome had fallen to Allied troops. The first of the Axis Capitals is now in our hands, Roosevelt said. The President pointed out that it is significant that Rome has been liberated by the armed forces of many nations. The American and British armies, who bore the chief burdens of battle, found at their sides our own North American neighbors, the gallant Canadians, the fighting New Zealanders from the far South Pacific, the courageous French and the French Moroccans, the South Africans,

the Poles and the East Indians, all of them fought with us on the bloody approaches to the city of Rome. The Italians, too, for swearing a partnership in the Axis which they never desired, have sent their troops to join us in our battles against the German trespassers on their soil. This group of ordinary men from many different countries had worked together to defeat the forces of fascism. For all that the fascists boasted of the superiority of their form of government over democracy. In Italy, our troops have found starvation, malnutrition, disease, a deteriorating education, and lowered public health, all byproducts of the fascist

misrule, FDR said. But the president warned Americans that the fall of Rome was only the beginning. We shall have to push through a long period of greater effort and fiercer fighting before we get into Germany itself, he said. The victory still lies some distance ahead. That distance will be covered in due time. Have no fear of that. But it will be tough and it will be costly. FDR knew something his audience did not.

On the other side of the Atlantic, paratroopers, their faces darkened with cocoa, were already dropping into France, and the soldiers, sailors, and airmen of the soldiers, the Allies were on their way across the English Channel. The order of the day from their commander, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, on the evening of June 5th, had read, 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 the oppressed people of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one, it read, but it assured the troops that the Germans had suffered great defeats and allied bombing had reduced German strength, while 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.

Eisenhower's public confidence did not reflect his understanding that the largest amphibious invasion in military history was a gamble. The seas on the crossing were rough and the beaches the men would assault were tangled in barbed wire, booby-trapped, and defended by German soldiers in concrete bunkers. On June 5th, in pencil, on a sheet of paper, he had written a message to be communicated in case the invasion failed. Our landings in the Sherbourg-Hawr area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops, it read. My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available.

The troops, the air, and the Navy did all that bravery and dedication to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt, it is mine alone. But Eisenhower's letter was never delivered. On the morning of June 6th, 1944, five naval assault divisions stormed the beaches of Normandy. 7,000 ships and landing craft, operated by more than 195,000 naval personnel from eight countries,

brought almost 133,000 troops to beaches given the code names Utah, Omaha, gold, Juno, and Sword. By the end of the day, more than 10,000 Allied troops were wounded or killed, but the Allies had established a foothold in France that would permit them to flood troops, vehicles, and supplies into Europe. When FDR held a press conference later that day, his comment to the cheerful reporters highlighted the extraordinary weight of the past 24 hours. I knew last night when I was doing that broadcast on Rome, he told them, that the troops were actually in the vessels on the way across.

Letters from an American was written and read by Heather Cox Richardson. It was produced at Soundscape Productions, Dead of Massachusetts, recorded with music composed by Michael Moss.