D Day Minus One

By Lawrence Cortesi

It was a daring plan, but the Liberation of Europe depended on it.

June 6, 1994.

Some know it as D-day; others know it as the Allied Invasion of Normandy. Immense in its size and scope, Operation Overlord consisted of the largest flotilla in history and the greatest air armada that ever took to the skies. But achieving a foothold on the Normandy beaches was only the first step. What would happen to the Allies when Hitler threw his entire army into this battle? Would he drive the Allies back into the channel? The allies needed an answer.

Operation Chattanooga Choo Choo was the code name for one of the most vital air operations in World War II. The mission was to destroy the Nazi’s supply lines in France and the low countries, and stop the flow of reinforcements from getting into Normandy. With all communication systems severed, the Allies would be one step closer to the Liberation of Europe-and one giant step closer to victory.

Lawrence Cortesi was an American school teacher and prolific writer, who published multiple books, often telling history as a story in his trademark style. Born on August 6, 1923, he married Frances Barringer and had four children. He died on October 12, 1987.