Ike at D-Day
The rain he worried about. The Camel cigarettes he chain-smoked. The letter he wrote in case of failure. Gen. Dwight Eisenhower's defining moment comes to life in an excerpt from Michael Korda's best-selling new biography.
- By Michael Korda
- Smithsonian magazine, December 2007, Subscribe
The rain he worried about. The Camel cigarettes he chain-smoked.
The letter he wrote in case of failure. Gen. Dwight Eisenhower’s defining moment comes to life in an excerpt from Michael Korda’s bestselling new biography
As June 6, 1944—the date set for the massive Allied invasion of France—loomed, one man bore the full weight of that decision. Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, the supreme commander, would alone decide whether the assault would go forward.
Conditions were not propitious: stormy weather and low clouds portended less than ideal circumstances. The risks, too, were crushing in their magnitude. Even in the hours preceding the invasion, much would depend on an unprecedented and dangerous paratroop operation. An airborne assault was, however, as Eisenhower perceived, essential to securing the flanks.
The weather that so concerned Ike, nevertheless would prove a boon. The German command, believing an invasion under such conditions to be tantamount to madness, departed the coast of France for Paris and Berlin.
Michael Korda takes us behind the scenes for a gripping and intimate portrait of Ike on the eve of World War II’s pivotal assault.
An adaptation of Ike: An American Hero, by Michael Korda, originally published in the December 2007 issue of Smithsonian. All rights reserved.
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Comments (3)
Is the full text of the article available online, or are reprints available?
Posted by Becky Elliott on February 27,2011 | 05:17 PM
Where can I view the picture shown on pages 56 & 57 in the December 2007 issue. An elderly friend of mine believe one of the soldiers in the photograph was her husband who was killed in the action on D-Day. Is there a way I can identify the Army unit shown in the photograph? Thanks in advance!
Posted by Becky Elliott on February 27,2011 | 05:11 PM
blayney, I read your comment, and I wanted to visit your website. Unfortunately, I discovered it does not exist anymore. I hope you post it up soon. Anyone, I am doing a National History Day project, and I would appreciate it if anyone gave me some information about Eisenhower. Thank you.
Posted by originalthinker on March 30,2009 | 04:55 PM
I am an 83 year old D-day veteran of the Fourth Infantry Division. I landed on Utah Beach late in the day on June 6. June 6 was not the date designated to be D-day. It was June 5 and the invasion was postponed because of the fierce weather. General Rommel who commanded the German forces in Normandy had gone to Germany to be with his wife on her birthday. Thirty-seven men of my B Battery of the 29th Field Artillery Battalion were killed when their landing craft struck a mine as it approached Utah Neach. Twenty-three of their bodies were never recovered. They are presumed to be buried at sea. Their names are enshrined for all eternity on the wall of the Garden of the Missing in the Normandy Cemetery.
Posted by Irving Smolens on March 6,2008 | 11:06 PM
How can I find a full copy of the article?
Posted by Nico Atencio on February 19,2008 | 07:44 AM
Hi, I teach high school French and would love to share this article with my students. I didn't save my copy! Can you email the full article to me? Thank you!
Posted by Mary Gian on January 29,2008 | 12:41 PM
Where can I view the picture shown on pages 56 & 57 in the December 2007 issue. I believe one of the soldiers in the photograph is my father who was killed in action on D-Day. Is there a way I can identify the Army unit shown in the photograph? Thanks in advance!
Posted by Frank Polster on December 8,2007 | 09:20 PM
I just finished reading the article in the magazine and I really enjoyed it. It's very well written, and I would be interested in buying the book. I created an e-learning website (operationoverlord.org) based around the D-Day landings and found this very interesting.
Posted by warren blayney on December 6,2007 | 12:13 AM
My husband thinks Ike at D-Day is a book. I can't seem to find it. suggestions??? Is it a part of Ike An American Hero? We take your magazine. Is there somewhere in there to order it? Thank you Rita Rudkin Fillmore CA 93015
Posted by Rita Rudkin on December 4,2007 | 12:48 AM
Is the full text of the article available online, or are reprints available?
Posted by Robert Solarski on December 3,2007 | 07:03 AM
Where do I purchase the book Ike At D-Day?
Posted by Margaret Relph on December 1,2007 | 11:40 AM