'The eyes of the world are upon you': Eisenhower's D-Day order inspires 80 years later
In addition to overseeing plans for the D-Day invasion, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower also spent months writing a message to encourage troops at the outset of the invasion.
Eisenhower's Order of the Day, which he had begun writing in February 1944, started off with, "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," continued the order, copies of which were given to the 175,000 member expeditionary force on the eve of the invasion as they boarded ships, planes and otherwise prepared for combat, according to the National Archives.
"The hope 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 peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world," it read.
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Eisenhower also recorded a radio broadcast version and a message to be broadcast to those living in German-held Europe. It started off with “People of Western Europe! A landing has been made this morning on the coast of France …"
In this address, Eisenhower also instructed “patriots” outside of recognized resistance groups to continue "passive resistance," but he added, "do not needlessly endanger your lives; wait until I give you the signal to rise and strike the enemy," wrote Tim Rives, the deputy director and supervisory archivist of the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene, Kansas.
Read the full text of Eisenhower's Order of the Day for D-Day
SUPREME HEADQUARTERSALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
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 hope 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 peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.
But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. 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!
I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!
Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.
Courtesy of the National Archives.