Ike's Back-up

Today is June 6.  Seventy-three years ago today, on June 6, 1944 (D- Day) Allied Forces began the largest amphibious military assault ever conducted on the coast of Normandy, France.  Over 160,000 American, British, and Canadian troops, as well as soldiers from Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Free France, Czechoslovakia, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and New Zealand landed at Omaha Beach, Utah Beach, Sword Beach, Juno Beach, and Gold Beach.  Planning for D-Day had started almost a year earlier under the leadership of the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Dwight D. Eisenhower.  D-Day marked the beginning of the end - the liberation of Europe from Nazi Germany. 

"Ike" wrote a letter to his troops on the morning of June 6 that is powerful in both words and meaning.  His message went as follows:

Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force:

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. 

The eyes of the world are upon you.  The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.

In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one.  Your enemy is well-trained, well-equipped, and battle-hardened.  He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944.  Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41.  The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man.  Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground.  Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men.  The tide has turned.  The free men of the world are marching together to victory.

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle.  We will accept nothing less than full victory.

Good luck!  And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

Ike's words are inspirational.  By expressing his confidence in his men, he in turn instills confidence in the Allied forces just before they head into battle.  His message is clear - "we will prevail."

Ike's letter is well known.  But Ike had a back-up letter that he wrote that same morning, "just in case."  His alternative letter is perhaps less well known, but it is also instructive:

Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops.  My decision to attack at this time and place was based upon the best information available.  The troops, the air and the Navy did all that Bravery and devotion to duty could do.  If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone. 

The lesson here?  Ike said it clearly in both letters.  The credit for the victory goes to the team.  The blame for the loss goes to the leader.  A good leader gives the credit for success to his or her team.  The good leader accepts full responsibility for any failure.