D-Day ~by Anders

Waves crashed up against the boat. The boat softly rocked back and forth in the night. Loud sounds of other soldiers gambling and getting drunk kept me awake. Snoring kept me awake. I stayed up later and later checking my weapons and ammunition. Me, I don't know what I was thinking. Thoughts of what the day would hold swirled through my mind? Was I going to die today? No one knew.


General Eisenhower marched onto the ship. The troops were called to attention. "It's time to go," someone said to the general. He moved in front of the troops and cleared his throat. "Alright boys, the big wigs finally made up their minds. D-Day begins now! We will be part of the 82nd infantry division. The 82nd and we will be attacking Omaha Beach along with several other infantry divisions and a few tank divisions. Air support will take out panzer's and major bunkers before we land. Remember, look out for each other. I want as few of you as possible to die. Let's go."

The impact of his words were like a sledgehammer to the gullet. If we weren't scared before, we were now. Sarge led us towards our assigned position for the trip to Normandy.

Sarge, my entire regiment, and I were all scared to death as we loaded into the landing boat called a DUKW. These boats were amphibious 2 ½ ton vehicles that were both a truck and a boat. They usually usually carried supplies, but today they carried men, most to their deaths. Claustrophobia and death were racing through out our minds. Prayer was our only answer. I prayed to God to let me live, and I heard others doing the same. There was a buzzer, and it was time. It was time to rush from the boat and fight for our lives, fight for America, fight for freedom.

We were the first ship to arrive. I had no clue what to expect, what to do. I can hear the Germans firing. The bullets denting our DUKW. Suddenly the back dropped and bullets started to rain in. I was in the back of the ship, crammed into the little corner. My group and I were to scattered as we jumped out of the boat and into the water. Many soldiers never left the boat.

I jumped into the water. It was turning red. Bodies were floating in the water, lifeless. I felt like I was the last person alive. I was scared out of my wits. Despite my instincts, I swam toward shore, toward the bullets.
I ran onto the beach. Within moments, I felt something. I fell down, hurt. Clutching my hip, I saw my sarge drifting past me. Then just as quickly, he was dead. I knew I had to move away from the bloody water and death. With pain, fear, and anger in my eyes, I ran toward the Germans. Dodging bullets, I felt invincible. Finally, I dove into a bunker and found a moment of safety.


How did I get here, I thought. Why aren't my friends and Sarge protected like me? Guilt made me think I should be lying dead on the beach with them.


Starring at those angry Germans with my grenade in hand, I pulled the pin...........but it was too late.

By ~ Anders