CBS Reports (1964): "D-Day Plus 20 Years - Eisenhower Returns to Normandy"
The Allied invasion of Nazi-controlled France on June 6, 1944 was the largest military invasion in history, involving nearly 160,000 service members arriving by ship and air at Normandy. Its success turned the tide of World War II. Two decades after D-Day, former Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was Supreme Commander in charge of the operation, returned to Normandy. Eisenhower talked with CBS News' Walter Cronkite about his experiences in June 1944, the tactical decisions behind Operation Overlord, and how British Prime Minister Winston Churchill was talked out of joining the invading forces. Eisenhower and Cronkite visited the Allies' war room on England's southern coast; the coast of France, including Pointe du Hoc and Omaha Beach; and the American military cemetery at St. Laurent-on-the-Sea. This special broadcast of "CBS Reports," featuring newsreel footage of the invasion, originally aired in 19 countries around the world on June 5, 1964.
My Uncle met Ike. On the evening of June 5th 1944 not long before he departed to Omaha Beach. My Uncle just celebrated his 101st birthday this month. God Bless America.
My grandfather didn't meet Ike personally but he watched as he passed within feet of him when Ike visited his Battleship the USS Texas
Was your uncle a Screaming Eagle?
@@chrisml8105 no he was not. Wounded battle of Saint-Lô and also at Hurtgen Forest.
@@carlkozlosky8094 I'm very glad you got to meet him. Happy birthday to him, and many many more! I thank him for his service.
Did Ike speak in terms of costs?
As a history buff I can't believe this is the first time I've seen this. What a masterpiece of documenting such a monumental moment in history.
I thought the same thing!!! June 2020 and never heard of this.
Same here
I saw it when it aired back in 1964 when I was in high school. CBS did a few of these back in the day.
Exactly! This is amazing
Man, This is fricking awesome!!!
Notice how Eisenhower constantly gives credit to others- - decisions “we” made, “our” decisions etc. Such a rare, truly great leader.
He's very humble and candid.
In his farewell speech as US President, he warned for the extending destructive power of the Military Industrial Complex. No person ever, in the same kind of position, spoke these wise and daring words !
@@skelejp9982 Eh, turns out his words were misguided. No World War ever since or slaughter even close to what wars used to be, praise be to the military complex I guess, right?
@@SpaceTravel1776 On 1 Northern Korean City, allied dropped more tonnage of bombs than on the whole Western front during WW2.
@@skelejp9982 Yep, and no world war. If they hadn’t? Another world war. And not a single thank you from you and yours? Ah well.
Can anyone imagine General Douglas MacArthur participating in a video like this, relaxing and being with ordinary people? I can't. Dwight Eisenhower was such a decent and humble man.
The final 5 minute monologue from Eisenhower is enough to just leave you absolutely speechless. Wish we still had this kind of leadership today.
Agreed. And then the camera pulling up and away like that to show the entire scene was exactly like the end of the film Field of Dreams. I wept both times...
Eisenhower is so engaged and earnest. What a mind this man had. Probably thinking legacy at this stage in his life. Love how Cronkite just lets him talk too. This is really youtube at its best.
Great note ... Cronkite is not interrupting or going for the "gotchya" questions.
Chris_0803 this was journalism at its best!
His 'legacy' was already clearly set in place: A triumphant Supreme Allied Commander of European WWII forces that freed Europe and defeated Hitler's Germany and two successful terms in The White House as President, etc.
Wonder if he remembered how horrible he intentionally treated the German POWs. Keeping them in open fields with no shelter from the weather and turning away people trying to bring them food while they starved in his camps. Bad things happen in war we all know this but when your the so called good guys your not suppose to allow these kinds of things to happen. Their soldiers were no different than ours. They had their heads pumped full of Germania just like our guys had theirs pumped full of Americana.
@@MrBigstick25 WRONG. The German soldier was not like the US soldier. The whole-scale atrocities the Germans committed gave Eisenhower every reason to treat them with the minimum or no respect. Were all the US soldiers perfect? No!!!! The principles of freedom "pumped" into the American's head is way different than the principles of tyranny "pumped" into the German's head.
President Eisenhower was a Giant. A real man...confident enough to address his shortcomings and perceived failures. Giving credit to others. What a man!
A remarkable man Eisenhower. I'm danish, born 20 years after the war ended. My country was occupied in April 1940 by the german army and later on liberated by the allies in early May 1945. Mom taught and told me the story about all these young american men who lost their lives for our freedom. I'll never forget that and never stop being grateful.
Might I recommend a movie or two? The Fighting Lady Sink the Bismarck Memphis Belle
US Citizens are willing to die for oppressed peoples. It is the US Government and it's cinnection to the Military Industry Complex that cannot be trusted. Very sad how far our Government has become so corrupt and uncaring.
It wasn’t only American’s
3:04 gave me chills already. Those children pass by the man who says hello, unaware of what it means to him to see them enjoying their walk on that beach.
I love that he said “If the GIs could have seen that 20 years ago...”
3:08 Absolutely amazing those little kids and the nuns walked past the supreme allied commander of Europe of world war 2 and just former president of the United States If they realized who those men were they would have stories to tell for a lifetime
I wonder if they saw this documentary and realized then just who said hello to them on that day.
My father was a medic on D-Day. He told me many stories of that day, and I know several of them was hard for him to talk about. The one that I will never forget was especially hard for him to talk about. My father and a fellow GI that went through boot camp together all the way to D-Day was hit 3 times. One of which grazed the side of his friend's head and the other 2 shots was in his shoulder and in his chest. My father picked him up and over his shoulder and ran as fast as he could in an attempt to get him to safety. All the while talking to him and his buddy was answering him. Before he got him to safety, his friend stopped answering him. Once he got him to safety my father found out he had died while my dad doing his best to get him where he could safely treat his wounds. My dad past way in 1997, and I know it haunted him the rest of his life. All the American soldiers were a breed of Men that unfortunately the world will never see again.
All the American soldiers were a breed of Men who came from the land of the brave and home of the free. Long live D-day heroes.
I agree and we have all of them to thank for giving us the opportunity to be able to be free and live in the greatest country ever.
Don’t underestimate the younger generations. We were raised by these men and their sons and daughters. We know the cost of freedom. We received the best traits and cautionary stories from our greatest generation loved ones. America is strong and so are its young people.
@@bharper9422 Very true Billy. Unfortunately our youth nowadays has to question their gender and they have pink hair. Sad to see with the political left pussifying America
MrBojangles7890 maybe so especially compared to the greatest generation but I do believe most would rise to the occasion if a situation like World War Two happens again. Our society built by the greatest generation has afforded people to have the time and ability to dye their hair or other unnecessary extravagances.
On this trip, Eisenhower got the news that Churchill had just suffered his penultimate, debilitating stroke, so he left France and visited him in hospital in London. Churchill could no longer speak but he was alert, so Ike just held his hand for ten full minutes, comforting his admired friend. Suddenly, Churchill stirred, broke the grip and gently raised his hand. He made the V for Victory sign to Eisenhower, for Eisenhower. Eisenhower moved back and said, very sadly, to Churchill's aid who was in the room, "You know, I've just said goodbye to Winston. But you never say fairwell to courage." Two of the greatest leaders who ever lived.
is there a source for this story? I could only find a Quora answer that doesn't even mention the V for Victory sign. The dates don't seem to match either, unless Eisenhower spent over six months on this trip
Please provide a source. Great story if true
Oliver Cromwell was reincarnated as George Washington who returned as Robert E. Lee who reincarnated as Dwight D. Eisenhower. This is part of Seal #7 of the 7seals.blogspot.com - only the returned Christ & Albert Einstein reincarnated could produce this. It's triggered The Apocalypse/Revelation which is NOT the 'end of the world'. COVID-19 is part of Seal #4: S=19 (18.6) Theory.
@@BradWatsonMiami Dumbest reply I've ever read, congrats
Incredible stuff if factual and i wouldn't doubt it for one minute not questioning the character of Eisenhower .
I saw this in 1964, and today, Oct 06, 2020 it still gives me a thrill watching it. How sad these two men are no longer with us. The 20th Century was an incredible one!
Eisenhower & Cronkite have been reincarnated - Ike was born into Democrat parents. Oliver Cromwell was reincarnated as George Washington who returned as Robert E. Lee who reincarnated as Dwight D. Eisenhower. This is part of Seal #7 of the 7seals.blogspot.com - only the returned Christ & Albert Einstein reincarnated could produce this. It's triggered The Apocalypse/Revelation which is NOT the 'end of the world'. COVID-19 is part of Seal #4: S=19 (18.6) Theory.
It was an incredible and tragic one at the same time
That's amazing you remember seeing this when it aired. Thanks for sharing.
It makes Pres Biden appear obviously not okay, weak, and decerebrating while planning everyday how to set the stage for Marxism.
I envy you for living in those times, now there's nothing but tik tok and onlyfans prostitution
This is one of the best hours of television I’ve ever seen. Sadly it took me 40 years of life to find this gem.
Methinks I saw this in AP USA History after the Test😂
I wish we had all this information in the 50s and 60s and each generation.
Cronkite and Eisenhower, in their respective fields of expertise, two giants of the twentieth century.
Sounds like a young Dan Rather doing the voice overs as well.
jamesw1313 One giant. One self important pygmie. One person that acted. Another person to Monday morning quarterback any decision.
Rather, led the decline in news reporting
One a giant statesman and the other a giant propagandist.....
Thomas Hartman : This was June, 1964 . Eisenhower would live on for another 5 yrs until he passed away in March, 1969. Afterwards Cronkite would live on for another 40 yrs until his own passing in July, 2009. RIP Eisenhower 1890-1969 & RIP Cronkite 1916-2009.
He drove the Jeep on the beach w Cronkite. Every old soldier knows what that means. He didn’t insist on a driver. His voice sounds like my father and my uncles who also grew up on the American prairie. He was a smart, humble, decent kid from Kansas. Thank God for him and his men.
What does it mean?
I think he also flew in a modified P-51 Mustang as passenger to observe the military operation in France behind enemy lines, when he reported back to Gen Marshall, he got an earful from Marshall because of the recon mission.
God has a vast complex mysterious plan for everyone and everything. He is omnipresent, all powerful and omnipotent. You are thanking him for Eisenhower and others ending it. Given these beliefs and your proclamation do we curse god since his will included the war?
@@ramal5708 The collings foundation have a TP-51C trainer which they've painted into the scheme of Stars Look Down, the aircraft Eisenhower flew in
What did it mean when you wanted to drive the Jeep?
20 years later and Eisenhower still had an amazing grasp and recall of the details.
His speech at the end, last 3-5 minutes... so good Walter didn’t even interrupt or question it...
Most of today's journalists would be interrupting him left and right
Right?
This should be shown every June 6th on CBS! I can only imagine the strain on the Generals mind during those 45 seconds he was deciding to go or not. Perfect example of having the right leader at the right time.
I agree completely. It should be shown midnight to midnight on continuous loop, every June 6th, with all other programming preempted. We'd have nothing without those soldiers--and the soldier that served as Supreme Commander. The enemy HAD to be stopped, and was. Every living person since owes those soldiers everything they have--or will have.
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it - George Santayana
It was one of the/my Enlightenment heroes, Edmund Burke, wot writ it, or at least something so similar Santayana robbed it The history doomed etc quote I always thought it was Santayana too until I saw it in one of Burke’s essays Cheeky Santayana, very cheeky
Jeff Webb I have made a point to watch these videos with my kids and explain to them in detail every Memorial Day how brave Americans and Allies gave their lives to preserve our freedom. I would hope other mothers and fathers would do the same.
Today’s CBS might believe it ‘fashionable’ to show it from a German viewpoint..
ike was 74 when this was made. his recall and command of the details is amazing. explained the difficulties of the hedge rows,how they circumvented the obstacle, and the name of the soldier who invented the workaround and what happened to the soldier, lost his leg, hardly an aloof commander, we fought not for gain but for ideals and values, i hope and pray we never have to do this again. well done sir
looks like we're looking at part 3 in the years to come.
+qqqq
@@joeswanson733 that's just sad but true isn't it. Freedom paid for by others but forgotten by the privileged
Writing Crusade in Europe surley helped his recall..
I was eleven years old when this was telecast. Am I getting old. My father was in the Navy in the Pacific on June 6, 1944 on the battleship USS Massachusetts. My father is 94 and in pretty good health.
I was eight in 1964 my father was in the Royal Navy (HMS Hotspur) serving in the Mediterranean mostly. Sadly no longer with us but one of the greatest of generations. Best wishes and good heath to your father.
That's great to hear.
God bless your father
I was 12, My Dad was training to be sent to Italy in June 44.
What a fantastic leader : decisive and humble ...... we miss those qualities in our days -
I agree. But I believe his biggest stumble was allowing the USSR to get to space first. But we made up for it in 1969!
tinwoods bruh
And the lack of supporting his allies
@tinwoods Sure. That's why "the orange oaf" just sold 800,000 tickets to his next rally. You'll be crying and yelling to the sky on election night this November. Don't worry, you'll get to bed early that night, as the election will be over around 8:30.
@tinwoods Well, thank God you're so polite too.
My god this is incredible..this film should be shown in every school possible...never seen this before so thank you very much..
can we start with competent grammar skills first in school?
The Dark Portal what year did you Earn your Badge for the Grammar Police?
Don't you know the current trend is to erase any history that makes the United States look good at all. The only thing they teach about World War II in school today is the fact that we dropped a nuclear weapon but they don't tell why. As long as we keep letting them change history it's our fault also.
I support your sentiments completely. You said it quite well; I'm afraid in today's "PC" world where we in the US have literally thrown moral values and reverence for God under the bus, that this would cause such a panic if shown in schools that you wouldn't believe it possible. Sad, but it won't happen. Truly, this country has degraded beyond repair thanks to left wing liberals and democrats who want to erase all that is good, historical and more than anything "religious" from everyday life and in schools.
@@THE-HammerMan That is NOT Party Approved Correct Thinking and Speech.
Cronkite said that he wasn’t a real big fan of the General, but he developed a deep respect for him after doing this documentary. The General didn’t use any notes in the entire documentary, it had all been done from memory. He was the consummate commander!
@Carol Young We have openly extreme right wing too. There never seems to be a middle ground anymore. Our Nation wants to keep us pitted against one another.
Deep respect. Did you notice how often Ike took responsibility? He did not shy away from the terrible cost. No excuses. He told it, like it was. Very tough.
baffles my mind how anyone could form a disliking for General Eisenhower, he was an incredible man in every sense of the word
Eisenhower was good General who didn't boast about war like Patton, and Macarthur.
@@Mike-01234 Tell us all of when Patton boasted about war. Please quote his statements and when he made them.
WOW, I have never seen such a great interview. I never heard President Eisenhower talk so much before. WOW I am so suprised I thought I had seen it all. WOW!
Eisenhower was great General, Patriot, and true gentleman. This documentary should be a maditory part of our school curriculum. Many thanks to our military service man and woman.
IKE and George Marshall were the George Washington s of the 20th Century. We were fortunate that we were blessed with Men like this. May They Rest In Peace.
@@BRuane-pw6xq don't forget bradley. he was the logistics genius.
The greatest generation stormed those beaches and I'm proud to say my dad was among them that morning of june 6th. My dad made it to 90 yrs. Damn, i miss that generation.
I miss my Dad and Mom. My Mom was an Army nurse in the ETO... Third Army. She would of been 100 yrs old. Dad worked in the Manhattan project. He'd be 104 this year...
🇺🇸👍 👍
@Hermann Goering You can't think like that, hindsight is always 2020. They went with the best info they had.
From brave men storming beaches to coward men burning city’s in OUR USA in 2020. Glad my grandpa has passed. I’m sure he would shed a tear for today’s society. Stay safe America. 🇺🇸🇺🇸
midnight rider --- Me too, so many questions left unanswered, I wish I could go back in time.
This piece of journalism from 1964 is better than any journalism done in the past 10 years.
My grandfather was at Normandy on D day and he never spoke about it. The family just knew because of my grandmother's stories,she said he came home a completely different man than the one who left. My grandfather was a hard working farmer all of my childhood and the greatest memory I have was the day I graduated Basic training in the Army. My grandpa to my surprise came to see me and he hugged me and wept, I never saw him do that before. Coming from a man that went through all he went through that stuck with me all these years. God bless those men who treaded those beaches on that day, they are the reason so many of us are even here today.
On todays episode of things that never happened
General Eisenhower was so gracious in giving credit to others and claiming luck on his behalf.
That's what made him so effective handling egos like Montgomery and Patton.
That’s part of why he got the job, because he could handle big egos better than most. Don’t forget he also had to deal with Churchill, FDR and the rest
Ike would take full blame if invasion failed, wow, very humble leader, invasion would have failed if any wheel chair general was in charge
This documentary is priceless. It is the narratation of the story of D-day and the battle of Normandy by the man himself. Cronkite simply splices it.
Tomlinson) Malone Movie
Eisenhower’s concluding remarks must be taught to all Americans, so that the people know about sacrifice to preserve freedom. Priceless wisdom
Sounds so presidential
From 1,17:10 to the end is incredibly well said and should give everyone who values freedom and liberty all the reason you need to show respect for our military, our Flag and our nation.
not just Americans....but the world....including the Mid-East
I agree I'm late by 3 years but he seems like a great person from what I know about him now
they died for Bretton Woods and a communist Poland, and with a lag, a communist China.
Imagine heaving leaders and journalism of this quality today.
Gotta love how Ike just told it like it was and didn’t beat around the bush. Every question Walter asked was answered quickly with almost zero hesitation.
Although, and with respect, the title of the 'pontoons', the Mulberries, seemed to elude his recall and after the stormy weather loss at Utah, the successful emplacement at Arromanches was SO important to the mission. Can anyone imagine WHAT, had the assault been beaten back into the Ditch ¿?
God bless you Ike. He died roughly 5 years after this interview. The soldiers who fought in this war at the very least got to take some solace in fighting under a man like Eisenhower, who clearly cared deeply for the average troopers and the boys on the front lines. He seemed like an ordinary man, humble and well-spoken. Wasn't too big for his britches.
Ike didn't care for ink ink the newspaper
This was shown in disciplining Patton for treating a soldier badly. Ike was always respectful to his allies.
Ike valued human life and allowed the Russians to take Berlin in order to save American soldier lives.
@@ivangamez9773 and that set the scene for the cold war and gave the Russians an advantage for the next 45 years. It was the wrong decision from a strategic perspective.
@@aeroAdvocate How Germany was going to be divided had already been agreed between FDR, Stalin, and Churchill at the Yalta Conference months before the Soviets took Berlin.
Beautiful video. Eisenhower, before D-Day, was more worried than the soldiers sent to their missions. He would meet paratroopers-of the 101st Airborne Division-to give them encouragement. However they were already motivated; Eisenhower was more worried than them. He cared deeply for his men. He was a great leader.
I noticed everytime I see Ike talking to the press about D-Day, theirs tears in his eyes and voice, some of Ike died too on D-Day
Wow, so lucky that this was recorded. Just got back from a Normandy visit. The visit to the American Cemetery was an unbelievable and unforgettable experience.
I remember watching this show in June 1964. I was eight years old--watching with my father who was a navy vet in Pacific.
Wow how interesting! Do you remember what he had to say? What his opinion of Ike was?
Ha, me too ! Your old man was covering mine, my dad was very appreciative of the air cover. I miss them all.
Imagine walking your dog in '64 and in the distance you see Eisenhower pumping his jeep over Omaha beach
I doubt Ike needed a reminder of how to drive that Jeep.
He had a driver. Deservedly so.
Holy cow
Having been there at D-Day plus 75 years, it was truly an honor to get to meet, spend time, and share jokes and stories with the few remaining brave men that stormed the beaches
The closing comments by President Eisenhower should be played out in the U.S. Congress every month. What an incredible man he was.
Such a humble man, God bless him.
That's why Monty hated him.
Absolutely, complete opposite of Monty
@@krisfrederick5001 Monty just didn't want to accept that his greatest moment was El Alamein.
@@andrewpestotnik5495 --- With American tanks, food, & supplies!
@@Freshstart6354 'With American tanks, food, & supplies!' Would you like to know what the proprtion of American items were?
I love Dwight D. Eisenhower. A great man put into a very difficult situation. He was also president of the USA. Nothing but respect for the man.
I watched this with my Dad when I was s boy. I re-watch it every few years to help keep my perspective of the world on an even keel.
"Ah, I gotta get to bed. Get an early start, hit the gym before work. Just quick look at KZhead. A cool, Eisenhower talking about D-Day, just a brief look" ...Aaaand of course I saw the whole thing. Additionally, I started reading more about D-Day until 5 in the morning, and had a tough day at work. But this was so worth the watch. Simply brilliant.
I'm old, 72, and your comment gladdened me. I'm very happy there are still people around who have a sense of greatness, and of what is important and lasting.
Wow. 20 years studying Normandy and this was the best education ever. Ike was a true man.
General/President Eisenhower should have his own monument in DC
The Obamaists and Sanderists would trash it.
@@waterheaterservices so no registered Democrat or Independent served in the military or can study and appreciate military history? What an incredibly generalized statement to make. The greatest soldier I ever knew was a Democrat who hated what was happening under the Republicans, and he went ashore at Omaha. I'm a registered Democrat and I served, and I have studied military history for 20 years so please try to engage your brain before saying such things.
@@PJCochrane they didn't say all liberals like that, they said some would destroy it, and they would've destroyed it in our current time.
Fliegenklatsche say it louder please for the people in the back
they would try to tear it down.Why?Just because.
This is a priceless gem and possibly one of the best videos I have come across on You Tube. The greatest general of the 20th century and hero of WWII with the most trusted man in America. I do not understand how anyone could have the audacity to dislike this.
As a Brit, I believe Eisenhower to be one of the finest military leaders in history and pivitol to the success of the Western Europe campaign. Having to deal with the diplomatic, political and military dynamics of such a huge enterprise must have been incredibly stressful. Patton, Bradley and Montgomery might have got the headlines but he is the one who put the whole paper together. What an interview this is!
Rubbish.
@@thevillaaston7811 But you can't be bothered to even say how it's rubbish.
@@jshepard152 'Eisenhower to be one of the finest military leaders in history and pivitol to the success of the Western Europe campaign.' Eisenhower made a mess of the landings in Italy, he was nowhere near the operations in Normandy, whee things went well. He made a mess of a winning situation when he took over as land forces commander in September 1944. 'Having to deal with the diplomatic, political and military dynamics of such a huge enterprise must have been incredibly stressful.' Stress was when your homeland was under threat, as it as for British and Russian leaders. The USA was 3,000 miles from any fighting.
As a public school teacher for 37 years I used this video when I taught about WW2. I would also show D-day from a foot soldier's prospective . This is like going back and interviewing Gen. Washington on the battle of Yorktown. National Archives material!
Mr Jones, GOD BLESS YOU! In this day n age where most teachers seem to come out of the left-leaning colleges and the kids of today haven,t a clue of what happened n why during WWII, your students will have an understanding of the history of they era. It is my belief that is the reason (one of them) so many are turning into socialists/rioters/arsonists/looters/anarchists.
Thank you CBS for re releasing this. Much appreciated. Thanks.
One of my mom's uncle's landed at Utah beach with the 4th infantry division. Then got to help liberate Paris. Thanks.
June 2020 for me. Glad it finally came up in my recommendation.
It's incredible how presidents in the 20th century could actually speak so professional, gentlemanlike, and with charm. Every sentence sounds like something from Tolkien.
Eisenhower was not only a great general during World War 2, but also a great president as he supported racial integration during the Civil Rights Movement and helped to desegregate Little Rock Central High School, as well as making sure that the Little Rock Nine was safe from the mobs that were trying to attack them. He truly was an individual that cared about other people, regardless of their races.
The civil rights act wasn’t passed until after his presidency had ended
@@cwcsquared he probably was talking about the 1957 and 1960 acts
Well he didn’t do so great in Guatemala and Iran, overthrowing legitimately elected governments there
He was very sincere too. Compare that great man with Donald Trump . . .
@@allencriderTrump isn’t the president you want, but the president you need.
55:32 Eisenhower explaining to a French citizen why their town was of supreme tactical importance for Dday, is I think, the best thing I will find on KZhead in 2020. "Well, you see we were starting this invasion..." LOL! Pure.
A dear friend of mine was in the second wave at D-day. His insights into the landing were incredible. He fought his way across Europe, through the Battle of Bulge and into Austria. He is still alive, I need to call him and go visit.
Brilliant idea! Just don't thank him for his service.
You do, and record it with your phone!
Please do - and record it!
I cannot believe that I have never see this. I was in the 82nd and have always been obsessed with Normandy. Cannot believe this has never come up on my feed before now. It was amazing hearing Gen. Eisenhower talk about the invasion in detail while he was actually there. This was the ultimate Normandy tour huh ? Very emotional for this 54 yr old paratrooper. 2/505 PIR
I was only born in 1990, but always looked to Ike as such a powerful leader during WW2. This does not disappoint. It’s nice to know not only was he a great leader, but also a good person. Kind, humble, honest, intelligent, and a nice sense of humor. You can tell he really cared about his role. I’m so grateful to hear him talk and to get to experience him myself!
😂
@@terry4137 I’m not really sure in what context this is funny. Care to explain or inform me?
@@476233terry obviously lacks the qualities which make someone a serious person. On the other hand, you, clearly, do not. I'm 72, and it does my soul good to know that much younger people such as you are around.
From a great General who cares deeply for the men that fought that day and through to victory.
In 1964, i saw this t.v. special while I had a 15 day leave after completing Army Basic training at Ft. Dix, N.J. The next day, I went back to start the next phase of training! I have never seen this special since then & it brings back a lot of memories of my youth! Since I was only born in 1946, (after WW II), it's hard to think how little time had elapsed from D-Day to when this show was made! p.s. My last grandchild (Luke) was born June 6th, 2014, on the 70th Anniversary of D-Day!
THIS IS SO MUCH GOLD!! I am glad we have youtube now.
42:40 I love that General Eisenhower drove the jeep.
Like a BOSS.
Former Presidents are no longer allowed to drive themselves. Ike at the wheel is another bit of history.
Eisenhower is simply not appreciated enough. Decisive tactition, and quite a visionary as a president. His legacy is everywhere! One of only a handful of great 20th Century American presidents too!
arrows
Truly a great man. Some missteps, but when we look back at humans we expect them to be almost demogaguges no man is without flaw.
Nah. He was a man who was generally acceptable, rather than brilliant.
@@Rustsamurai1, why don't you challenge that idea? Read "Ike's Bluff," by Evan Thomas. Eisenhower was a brilliant thinker.
@@bobtaylor170 I'll get a copy, thanks Bob 👍
You can tell the weight of the responsibility as Ike is holding back strong emotions upon the question regarding the letter of failure. A small but significant tell that he was the right commander.
Thought the same thing
What I think is remarkable? Gen. Eisenhower and Churchill are in the right place, at the right time. How are we so lucky? The whole thing goes sideways, without those two gentlemen. Should we have faith that good people will rise tothe occasion?
i noticed the same thing in him too. he fought back tears at one point just for a brief moment you can tell by his demeanor and expression only for that moment. what an incredible man
My dad was a mechanic in a photo recon squadron stationed in England. He was on guard duty the night of June 5th and one of the airborne convoys flew over his base. He said that it was the most amazing thing he'd ever seen (and heard).
This video is a national treasure.
General/President Eisenhower was a legendary great American.
@David Kopp yea right
@David Kopp Patton was an egomaniac who was great at marketing. Bradley and others were better strategists, Patton was better at talking himself up to the American public.
@David Kopp Took a little too much meth today?
@David Kopp Dear lord. What rock do you people live under because there seems to be quite a crowd and it should be avoided.
@David Kopp Psst! Your tin foil hat needs adjusting, it's letting all your brains leak out. And stop giving "Davids" a bad name!
How humbly, Eloquently and gracefully Eisenhower spoke. I am amazed at how those great American and British leaders of that genre had such command over the English language and how easily they could accurately convey their thoughts through their words. Their hard work, experience of courage, effort and pragmatism earned them the wisdom to teach us all great lessons. Compare it to the gibberish and slang we listen to today from our media and celebrities. They are elevated by their misguided fans on social media to influential authoritative positions of ignorance.
There is something of an American tradition of our great Generals also being excellent writers. Grant and Sherman were two of them, Eisenhower was a third. He wrote his two books entirely on his own, no ghostwriter needed, thank you.
What a sharp mind. 20 years later details it like it was yesterday... Impressive man. I miss this kind of America...
General Eisenhower - One of the greatest Americans to have ever lived!
I am so happy I found this. That Winston Churchill and King George story though. Wow!
I think the King knew his man on that one. 'If you're going, I'm coming too'. Which obviously couldn't happen.
A great man of that there is no doubt. He really cared for his fellow soldiers and they weren’t just cannon fodder. RiP ike from everyone in Britain. 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇸
My mom was still a kid, so I wasn’t around yet, but this whole WW2 mission was definitely a just cause ! And no General is perfect, but I was impressed with the humbleness of Eisenhower, and how much he was always thinking about how precious the lives of each soldier was. I can see why he was chosen to be the leader!
It was amazing how easily President Eisenhower was able to recall the events of Normandy invasion. He was great general and a great president
I'm so glad this was filmed! It's fantastic. So important for future generations.
Great man. From a Scot🏴🇬🇧🇺🇸
Seconded by an Englishman.
Until you watch operation tiger
1:17:17 what a speech. Made me sad. I wish i could have seen Eisenhower in real life and meet him. What a great man.
Humbling to watch. One of the best documentaries you will see. Tremendous.
To hear the perspective of the Supreme Commander on this momentous day in world history is valuable. Note how he constantly gives credit to the British, Polish, French etc, unlike those KZhead armchair warriors who believe it was solely an American enterprise. Twenty years on, Eisenhower's fine memory of events and units involved is awesome. His final words, unscripted, at the St Laurent cemetery, are moving.
And one year later ......
Rest in peace, Ike and Walter.
Uh, it was an American enterprise from the standpoint that, without American industrial might, D-Day never would've happened. So, how's that for arm chairing? Go learn your history...
@@scottadkins9040 And had Britain not stood alone for two years while America carefully avoided sending troops against Hitler, despite his clear aim of world domination (including America), the US would not have had an invaluable stepping stone into Europe when he dragged her in by declaring war in December 1941. During those two years, Britain was already making plans to invade occupied France. It would have been difficult, but she was up for it. Did I dispute America's contribution to the Allied effort? Your reaction smacks of those I mentioned, who believe "we won the war". And please don't tell me to study history!
@@renard801 Uh, yeah...please go lean history. Here's another lesson for ya. First, Britain would not have survived without US supplies and material even before the US entered the war. And as for the UK's plan to invade Europe...they actually executed that plan at a place called Dieppe, where they were slaughtered on the beach. Let me know when you need another lesson and can stop patting yourself on the back.
This video has been absent from public view for a long time. During the 1990's it re-aired(I missed it) for the 50th anniversary of the invasion. I was a graduate student of history at the time and was writing a masters thesis about Eisenhower and his post-war pursuit for a unified and peaceful Europe. So glad I finally got to watch it, I especially enjoyed his reflections about meeting and talking to the 101st Airborne troopers. He was so upset afterwards, being told about the extreme casualties that was supposed to follow. This is pure history here, what an awesome interview.
General Eisenhower starting at the 14:05 mark says it all in terms of decision. He and every single Commander knew the risk going in but they had to make the decision to do it for the least cost because you can't say there's no cost you know you're going to lose people. What an honest statement for a truly great General to make.
Having returned to Normandy twice with DDay veterans, it’s incredible to see what Normandy was like only two decades after the invasion! This is an incredible piece of history!
Eisenhower (1890 - 1969) did a brilliant job of minimizing the issues of personality between the generals under his command. He was an optimistic, cheerful, fair minded, nice guy, who could listen to others - part of what made him the gifted, effective, likable leader he was. I knew an old Lt Colonel from WWII who knew & thought very highly of General Eisenhower. Those guys are all long gone.
Thank you CBS, for uploading this masterpiece.
Two men that I could trust. Wish we had a lot more like them. God bless the troops that gave so much to free the world.
To bad we didn’t hold on to it! We will be punished for that!
Biden is exactly like him..?
Eisenhower's closing statement was just amazing. So wise and powerful.
Eisenhower was a war criminal
To think we’ve gone from this to what we have now in less than 60 years, both in Presidents and in journalists.
YES. Did you notice that Walther didn't interrupt him? He let Ike speak. Patiently. OOOf. this makes modern journalism look so, so bad.
Vince, progress dontcha know, brought to us by " progressives "!
The black military men didn't go home as heroes or were they free...
It is disgraceful that our present situation has been allowed to continue. The people of the USA must wake up!!
Cronkite wasn't just a news celebrity like many today. He fought in the war. He's the real deal.
My personal favorite D-Day Documentary. Nothing beats Gen Eisenhower & Walter Cronkite in Normandy! Remarkable history for sure! Get this on DVD or thumb drive so you can show it to your children! A great history lesson for sure! Just back from Normandy for the 75th. A remarkable place indeed! Thanks, CBS News for sharing! TC
I remember watching Walter Cronkite on the news when I was a kid in the 1970’s. I was very fortunate for him to be part of my life.
We don't see many great programs like this today where they speak in a tone that shows how serious the subject matter is.
Dignity.
Subsequent studies by historians such as Sir Antony Beevor, Stephen Ambrose and Sir Max Hastings, probably based on papers still classified when this film was made, have highlighted the importance of this great leader and managing the rivalries and egos of his subordinate Generals including Montgomery, Patton and Bradley. Huge lessons for our current crop of political leaders on both sides of the Atlantic. Fascinating and valuable documentary - thank you for making it available.
Dont tell montgomery he was his subordinate XDDDD
Yes, Eisenhower was know as an agreeable person who could get along and make things work. He was obviously well in charge of a fine intellect too.
Bradley and Montgomery wee more senior than Patton.
A real President and leader, we miss you Ike.
I'm so thankful we have Trump now! I just pray for him everyday because the attacks he faces over the haters and globalist elites trying to take him down.
@@joshbates5710 You're joking right ?
@Theocritus That makes no sense, but it doesn't matter, because we have checks and balances. Trump hasn't been able to implement half of policies he's wanted to, a lot of the time because of a single wacko liberal state judge somewhere.
I wonder if eise
@@jeffmiller2594 no he is not, and if you cannot see that, im sorry . I agree with Josh.
My father-in-law landed at Omaha beach with the 29th division and his brother landed with the fourth infantry division at Utah all three brothers survived the war and celebrated the liberation of Paris
I’ve been reading books and watching documentaries about the war and I have never seen this until now. This is awesome. Listening to how he talked is the best thing ever.
My father had enlisted in the US Army in 1939. Due to illness he was not in the initial invasion, but came over some time afterward and served under General Patton. My mother was German and her 2 brothers were in the German army. By this time, her older brother was KIA in Ukraine. Her younger brother was young and sent to a reserve unit near Normandy which withdrew to the Alsace where he was KIA. My father went on to serve in the US Army for 22 years and retired in 1961. He spoke often about the post war, but very little about his time during the war.
why did you uncles serve HITLER?
56:10... so down to earth for this ex-general and president to patiently explain miltary tactics to a simple old lady. Something we sorely lack in leadership today.
He was an officer and a gentleman.
The greatest generation. Many gave the ultimate price. And. Never came home to see there loved ones How much we do owe these brave men and woman. Words will never be enough. ,,,,God bless you,,,,
That speech just gives you goosebumps
"Dont worry General ..We will take care of this thing for you."
That is a testimony to the confidence Ike had in his men and the initiative they had in him.
As The General says later in the show, it was a battle (or series of battles) in charge of the platoon leaders, squad leaders, non-coms -- NOT the colonels or generals. The grunts at the front improvised, used their ingenuity and bravery, and common sense to overcome being out of position on their para-drops and beach landings. As the military saying goes, no matter how much preparation, training, and logistics had been put in place, "all plans go out the window on first contact with the enemy." But the allied forces (including the Polish Brigade and French Resistance) overcame whatever negatives cropped up. Stalwart. Hardy. Smart. Lucky. Victorious!
That really resonates!
I bet many youngsters that watched this interview didn't hesitate to go to Vietnam; they wanted to do their part too.Ron Kovic was going to turn 18 years almost 4 weeks after this interview.
What are great leader - he knew every detail that was needed. He was continually looking at the information to have awareness to guide his army. He truly gave his all to this effort. He also knew when to step back and trust his commanders and lower ranks to do their job. Look at Ike's face when he described the courage of one man in Omaha beach who stood up and inspired others. As a fellow soldier, Ike knew that it took courage and guts to do it. He trusted his soldiers to give their all.
The only setback was market garden, whick was Monty's idea, and that was the last order from Monty, as his leaders was taken away from Ike
Just finished reading Eisenhower soldier and president, now hearing him talk is such a treat, I can see why he was so popular,
I’m 60 years old and I have never seen this. One of my grandfathers told me of several stories in the Pacific and a couple of great uncles, told me about the happenings in Europe. One of them landed on Utah beach, and made it all the way into Germany. Amazingly all three returned home after the war.