80 cartridges, three grenades given each American for initial assault
Flamethrowers and dynamiters prepared – poker teaches men value of franc – 125 million maps guided forces
London, England – (June 6)
As U.S. invasion assault units moved to their assembly points each man was a walking arsenal. Besides his 80 rounds of ammunition, he carried three grenades. Some were armed with rifles, some with Springfields which had grenade launchers; others had Browning automatic rifles, flamethrowers and TNT pole charges.
U.S. troops each had 200 francs to spend on the other side. To get the hang of the value of the France, they played poker and other games in the little spare time they had while waiting.
They learned German for “Halt! Put up your hands” and French for “Which way is the Boche?” Civilians were not allowed to talk with them.
Three hundred square miles was the area of one marshaling area in England from which the troops were sent to embarkation points. Miles of new roads were made. Others were widened and strengthened. New bridges were erected and 150 miles of new railway track were laid.
A new system of telephone exchanges and lines was set up. In one area alone, the Army laid down three new landing fields and extended seven more for the Air Force.
Pre-invasion staff conferences were held in specially guarded buildings within sight of France. Staffs had detailed maps showing the landing areas. Every other item connected with the invasion was worked out to the second.
Security measures in “invasion” areas were not only thorough but severe on the soldier who offended against rules. According to one security officer, an unbriefed soldier talking to one who had been briefed for the invasion was out behind barbed wire until the initial assault was over to prevent “harmful talking.”
U.S. invasion forces had the use of 125 million maps, most of which were based on aerial photography.
In the last two years, the War Office directorate of military survey has produced more original maps of France than that country has made since the days of Julius Caesar. The largest-scale maps produced for the invasion were on a scale of 1 to 25,000.
Nine training centers were available in Britain for British and U.S. assault troops. Many square miles of populated countryside had to be cleared so live ammunition could be used.
One hour before they left for the invasion beaches, many soldiers had a good meal of pork chops and plum pudding. Some even had this meal immediately after a substantial breakfast of bacon and eggs. As they left for embarkation points, each received a “landing ration” and a bag of chocolate candy.
Radio program for invaders
London, England (UP) – (June 6)
A broadcasting service to provide entertainment and keep the invasion forces informed on developments on all war fronts will be started at 5:55 a.m. tomorrow, SHAEF announced today. The program, to be called the AEF Program, will be broadcast over one of the overseas services of the BBC.