Dr. Steph Hinnershitz is an Assistant Professor of Security and Military Studies at the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base and a fellow with the National World War II Museum. She discusses D-Day, the largest amphibious invasion in military history, and highlights the multinational nature of the operation, with significant contributions from the British and Canadians. Hinnershitz also discusses the strategic planning and coordination required for the invasion, including dealing with unpredictable factors like weather and human responses.
ABC News correspondent Tom Rivers calls in from London. Rivers discusses how the King and Queen participated in the 80th anniversary of D-Day commemoration events. He also shares how Brits honor the day.
“It’s part of the rich life of everybody’s house down the street you talk to here; somebody had a grandfather. My wife had two grandfathers involved in World War II, uncles, fathers, you name it. Some are very thankful that they made it through. Others are sad that they lost loved ones in the war. It is impossible to give back what those young men, once upon a time, gave to the rest of the world.”
UWF history professor Dr. George Ellenberg has taught a graduate-level course in strategy and warfare at the Naval War College. He emphasizes the uncertainty of the operation’s success and the bravery of the soldiers involved in the Day-D invasion. They also discuss the role of key figures like General Eisenhower and President Roosevelt and the importance of public support during the war.
“I think this is a reminder of the fragility of our democratic system. There are threats, there were threats. And so we need to be very thankful for the commitment and the lives that it takes to protect all those things that we believe in.”