The Invasion: Decision: Jun. 12, 1944

Some 30 hours before H-hour General Eisenhower made the great decision. The moon, the tide, the carefully calculated weather forecasts were favorable. At night, while his staff got out the orders, the General walked alone on the crunching cinder path near his headquarters tent. Deep within himself he wrestled with the feeling he called "boiling over." His fingers rubbed the lucky coins he had rubbed before the invasions of North Africa and Sicily. Now began the taut moments that come to every commander after the battle order has been given, and there is no turning back.

Twenty-four hours were left...

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