D-Day Anniversary: Motivational Quotes by Army Generals Before Normandy Landing

The D-Day invasion codenamed Operation Overlord began on June 6, 1944 during World War II. The Normandy landing is the largest seaborne invasion in history and marked the beginning of the end of the Nazi era across Europe

More than 150,000 Allied troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, free France and Norway were involved in the operation to oust the Nazi force from Europe.

Historically famous as the largest amphibious invasion ever attempted, the assault on the German soldiers was originally planned for 5 June but due to poor weather General Dwight Eisenhower postponed it to 6 June.

The Allied forces descended on the 50-mile stretch of the Normandy coast which was targeted for the safe landing of the soldiers. The beaches of Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword were among the major landing targets across the Normandy coast.

However, the initial D-Day operation proved costly for the Allied forces in terms of army causalities. While the Germans lost 1,000 men in the assault, the Allied forces lost at least 12,000 men in the historical battle.

The Nazis were finally defeated after 11 months of the operation and World War II was declared over.

The Normandy beach hosts a numbers of museums, memorials, and war cemeteries in memory of the brave soldiers. The beach attracts many visitors each year.

Here are some moving and memorable quotes by the then war generals to motivate their soldiers.

1. "We want to get the hell over there. The quicker we clean up this Goddamned mess, the quicker we can take a little jaunt against the purple pissing Japs and clean out their nest, too. Before the Goddamned Marines get all of the credit." ― General George S Patton, Jr

2. "Men, I am not a religious man and I don't know your feelings in this matter, but I am going to ask you to pray with me for the success of the mission before us. And while we pray, let us get on our knees and not look down but up with faces raised to the sky so that we can see God and ask his blessing in what we are about to do." ― Lt Col Robert L Wolverton, commanding officer of 3rd battalion, 506th PIR.

3. This operation is not being planned with any alternatives. This operation is planned as a victory, and that's the way it's going to be. We're going down there, and we're throwing everything we have into it, and we're going to make it a success." ― General Dwight D Eisenhower

4. "When pressure mounts and strain increases everyone begins to show the weaknesses in his makeup. It is up to the Commander to conceal his: above all to conceal doubt, fear, and distrust." ― General Dwight D Eisenhower

5. "After enduring all the ordeals and training in England, we felt like we were completely ready for anything, and we were very ready to fight the Germans, and we looked forward to the day that we could actually get into the real fight." ― Sgt Bob Slaughter, 116th Infantry Regiment, US 29th Division

6. "The waiting for history to be made was the most difficult. I spent much time in prayer. Being cooped up made it worse. Like everyone else, I was seasick and the stench of vomit permeated our craft." ― Pvt Clair Galdonik, 359th Infantry Regiment, US 90th Division

7. "God almighty, in a few short hours we will be in battle with the enemy. We do not join battle afraid. We do not ask favors or indulgence but ask that, if You will, use us as Your instrument for the right and an aid in returning peace to the world." ― Lt Col Robert L Wolverton, commanding officer of 3rd battalion, 506th PIR.

8. "Rangers, Lead The Way!" ― Colonel Francis W Dawson on the occasion of the Normandy Invasion, 1944.

9. "There is one great thing that you men will all be able to say after this war is over and you are home once again. You may be thankful that twenty years from now when you are sitting by the fireplace with your grandson on your knee and he asks you what you did in the great World War II, you WON'T have to cough, shift him to the other knee and say, Well, your Granddaddy shoveled shit in Louisiana." ― General George S Patton, Jr (the speech was delivered to Patton's troops on June 5, 1944 before the assault.)

10. "I have full confidence in your courage and 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." ― Dwight D Eisenhower