American logistics in the Normandy campaign played a key role in the
success of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of northwest Europe
during World War II. By June 1944, some 1,526,965 US troops were in
the UK, of whom 459,511 were in the Services of Supply. The First United
States Army was supported over the Omaha and Utah Beaches, and through
the Mulberry artificial port at Omaha that was specially constructed for
the purpose. The Mulberry port was abandoned after it was damaged by a
storm on 19–22 June. During the first seven weeks after D-Day, the
advance was much slower than the Overlord plan had anticipated, and the
lodgment area much smaller. The nature of the fighting in the Normandy
bocage country created shortages of certain items, particularly
artillery and mortar ammunition, and there were unexpectedly high rates
of loss of bazookas, Browning automatic rifles, and M7 grenade
launchers.
Read more:
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_logistics_in_the_Normandy_campaign>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1920:
Franco-Syrian War: At the Battle of Maysalun forces of the Arab
Kingdom of Syria were defeated by a French army moving to occupy the
territory allocated to them by the San Remo conference.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Maysalun>
1923:
The Treaty of Lausanne was signed to settle part of the
partition of the Ottoman Empire, establishing the boundaries of Greece,
Bulgaria and Turkey.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Lausanne>
1967:
During a speech in Montreal, French president Charles de Gaulle
declared "Long live free Quebec!", a statement that was interpreted as
support for Quebec independence from Canada.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vive_le_Qu%C3%A9bec_libre>
1998:
A gunman entered the United States Capitol and opened fire,
killing two police officers.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_United_States_Capitol_shooting>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
virtual:
1. In effect or essence, rather than in fact or reality; also, imitated,
simulated.
2. For practical purposes, though not technically; almost complete, very
near.
3. (computing)
4. Operating using a computer and/or online rather than physically
present.
5. Simulated in a computer and/or online.
6. (object-oriented programming) Of a class member: capable of being
overridden with a different implementation in a subclass.
7. (mechanics) Pertaining to a theoretical infinitesimal velocity in a
mechanical system that does not violate the system's constraints; also,
of other physical quantities: resulting from such a velocity.
8. (physics)
9. Pertaining to a theoretical quality of something which would produce
an observable effect if counteracting factors such as friction are
disregarded; specifically, of a head of water: producing a certain
pressure if friction, etc., is disregarded.
10. (optics) Chiefly in virtual focus: of a focus or point: from which
light or other radiation apparently emanates; also, of an image:
produced by light that appears to diverge from a point beyond the
reflecting or refracting surface.
11. (particle physics) Pertaining to particles in temporary existence
due to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
12. (quantum mechanics) Of a quantum state: having an intermediate,
short-lived, and unobservable nature.
13. (obsolete)
14. Having efficacy or power due to some natural qualities.
15. (specifically, also figuratively) Of a plant or other thing: having
strong healing powers; virtuous.
16. Having the power of acting without the agency of some material or
measurable thing; possessing invisible efficacy.
17. Producing, or able to produce, some result; effective, efficacious.
18. Synonym of virtuous (“full of virtue; having excellent moral
character”)
19. (uncountable) Preceded by the: that which is imitated or simulated
rather than existing in fact or reality; (countable) an instance of
this.
20. (uncountable) That which is simulated in a computer and/or online;
virtual reality; (countable) an instance of this; specifically
(gambling), a computer simulation of a real-world sport such as horse
racing.
21. (countable, programming) A virtual (adjective sense 3.3) member
function of a class.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/virtual>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
Heaven is not reached at a single bound; But we build the ladder
by which we rise From the lowly earth to the vaulted skies, And we
mount to its summit round by round.
--Josiah Gilbert Holland
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Josiah_Gilbert_Holland>