It’s a special anniversary for one of the deadliest battles of World War II.
80-years ago today (June 6th), Allied Forces stormed the beaches of Normandy, France in what is still the largest seaborne invasion in history.
The day of course is more commonly known as D-Day.
Manitowoc County Veterans Service Office Director Todd Brehmer explains the tactical purpose of the day was to open a third front to spread out the Axis power resources.
“It was anticipated to be a very bloody fight, high casualties was expected,” he explained. “German forces in France had been building up defenses in anticipation of an invasion.
160,000 troops plus 5,000 ships and 13,000 aircraft were used during the invasion deployed on five beaches during the invasion, which resulted in 9,000 allied casualties.
49 Wisconsinites were killed on D-Day, including Private Roy R. Krenke of Two Rivers who landed on Omaha Beach, the site of 2,400 deaths alone.
8 other soldiers from around eastern Wisconsin also perished that day.
No one can really recreate what the day was like, but Brehmer say he was told by some soldiers:
“The movie “Saving Private Ryan” with the beach assault, was very close to what the actual thing was like,” he told Seehafer News.
Although Brehmer wasn’t there, he was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division while serving in the military.
“Being a paratrooper myself that was involved in airborne operations, we had a lot of historical references to the D-Day airborne assaults,” he stated. “Saint-Mere-Eglise, things like that. So, it held a historical significance and traditional significance to us.”
A ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary was held around 5:30 am this morning.
The invasion ended up succeeding and allowed Allied Forces to enter France. Eventually, France would be liberated in August of 1944.
