Original Item. Only One Available. This is an original U.S. WWII D-Day "Order of the Day" issued under the authority of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, for the Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Addressed to the "Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force," the document contains Eisenhower's famous message announcing the beginning of the "Great Crusade" to liberate German-occupied Europe.

The single-sheet document is printed in black ink on light-colored paper, with the heading "SUPREME HEADQUARTERS ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCE" above the distinctive SHAEF shoulder-sleeve insignia. Beneath the insignia is Eisenhower's complete address, beginning with the words:

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

The message concludes with an appeal for divine blessing upon the undertaking, followed by a facsimile of Eisenhower's signature. The document represents the official printed form of the address distributed to Allied personnel in connection with Operation Overlord.

The document remains in fair to good condition, exhibiting considerable age toning, scattered staining, handling creases, and general surface wear. There are several small areas of paper loss, particularly along the right side, including a noticeable hole near the upper corner and additional losses farther down the sheet. The upper edge also shows minor tearing and wear. Despite these faults, the printed text, SHAEF insignia, and Eisenhower signature remain clear and legible.

Historical Context

The Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, was the culmination of nearly two years of planning and preparation for a major return to German-occupied western Europe. Known as Operation Overlord, the campaign aimed to establish a secure foothold in France, build up Allied forces on the continent, and advance toward Germany. The initial assault phase, Operation Neptune, involved an immense coordination of ground, naval, and air forces from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and other Allied nations.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower was appointed Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force in December 1943 and established his operational headquarters in Britain. As Supreme Commander, he was responsible for coordinating the multinational force assembled for the invasion, including its complicated logistical preparations, command arrangements, and operational planning. Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) was formally activated in February 1944 and became the central command organization for Allied operations in northwestern Europe.

Preparations for the invasion required the assembly of enormous quantities of troops, vehicles, ammunition, landing craft, and supplies throughout southern England. The Allies also conducted an extensive deception campaign, known as Operation Fortitude, intended to convince German commanders that the principal invasion would take place in the Pas-de-Calais region. Meanwhile, Allied aircraft attacked transportation networks, bridges, rail facilities, and other strategic targets to disrupt German reinforcements and communications before the landings began.

Eisenhower originally scheduled the invasion for June 5, 1944, but unfavorable weather conditions forced a postponement. Following consultations with his meteorological advisers and senior commanders, he approved the operation for June 6, taking advantage of a brief improvement in the weather. The decision carried considerable risk, particularly for the airborne forces, landing craft, and naval vessels operating in difficult conditions across the English Channel.

The invasion began during the early hours of June 6 with American and British airborne operations behind the German coastal defenses. Paratroopers of the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions landed west of the invasion beaches, while British 6th Airborne Division troops operated east of the Orne River. Their assignments included securing important crossings, disrupting German movements, and protecting the flanks of the amphibious assault.

At dawn, Allied forces began landing along approximately 50 miles of the Normandy coastline, divided into five designated assault beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. American forces assaulted Utah and Omaha, British troops landed at Gold and Sword, and Canadian troops attacked Juno. German resistance varied considerably between sectors, with particularly severe fighting at Omaha Beach, where American assault units suffered heavy casualties while attempting to penetrate the coastal defenses.

By the end of June 6, approximately 156,000 Allied personnel had landed in Normandy by sea and air. Although several initial objectives remained incomplete, the Allies had secured positions along the coast and begun establishing the beachhead necessary for continued operations. Over the following weeks, Allied forces expanded their foothold, fought through the difficult Norman bocage countryside, and gradually overcame German defensive positions.

Eisenhower's responsibilities continued well beyond the initial landings. SHAEF coordinated the expanding campaign in France, including the breakout from Normandy, the liberation of Paris in August 1944, and subsequent Allied operations toward the German frontier. As the fighting progressed, the headquarters faced the considerable logistical challenge of supplying large armies advancing across western Europe, while managing the competing operational requirements of its American, British, Canadian, and other Allied formations.

The Normandy campaign ultimately opened the western front that Allied planners had sought to establish and placed increasing pressure on Germany as Soviet forces advanced from the east. The Allied armies that landed in June 1944 continued their advance across western Europe until Germany's surrender in May 1945. Eisenhower remained Supreme Commander throughout these operations, overseeing the multinational coalition from the Normandy landings to the final defeat of Germany.