Figure 1.--Countles World War II images show French civilian in Normandy embracing their Allied liberators despite the widespread destuction as a result of the invasion and resulting fight for Normandy.

We notice the current generation of historians picking up on the damage occurring in Normandy. This is a generate that sees themselves as social justice warriors unrestrained by the basic tenants of their craft. One historian published a book on the civilian loss of life and damage to homes and farms in Normandy. His point was here was not the widespread elation with the arrival of the Allies that is commonly depicted. I wish I had noted his name and the title of the book, hopefully I will come across it in the future. This is just one more example of revisionist historians trying to unravel the D-Day story. Rather like the much more common criticism of the strategic bombing campaign which unlike the too often depicted situation was a tiny fraction of civilian losses in World War II. (Civilian losses were in the tens of millions, mostly inflicted by the Axis and for the most part intentional actions and policies.) The issue of civilian losses was considered by the D-Day planners, both the pre-D-Day bombing and the fighting in Normandy. Churchill's Scientific Advisor, Frederick Alexander Lindemann, before D-Day estimated French civilian losses would be 80,000 to 160,000 killed. This was one reason that Churchill was especially concerned about potential civilian losses. The issue was discussed with DeGualle, the Free French Leaders who recognized it was the price France would have to pay for liberation. The Germans were very good at War and the Allies would have to resort to their superior fire power to dislodge them. There is no precise accounting of the civilian loses. They appear to fall into the 10,000-20,000 range. A French estimate totaled 12,000. 【Memorial de Caen】 Another estimate puts civilian losses in Normand at 19,890 civilians killed and 300,000 made homeless. Overall French losses as a result of the country's liberation may have approached 50,000 civilians. 【Amouroux】 The numbers are not tiny and cannot be dismissed, but in World War II terms when over 50 million people perished, the vast majority civilians killed by the Axis powers, they are minuscule for an operation as critical as D-Day. Over 25 million people wee killed in the Soviet Union alone, mostly civilians. Some 40,000 British civilians were killed in the War, close to the French death toll. Notably after the breakout from Normandy the German Army collapsed and most of France was liberated without the intense combat experienced in Normandy. Now there is nothing wrong with bringing up the civilian casualties. It is a important part of the D-Day story. There is something wrong with bringing it up out of context and not mentioning what a small part the Allies played in the World War II civilian losses. Or perhaps equally telling, not addressing the tactical alternatives or what the German victory would have meant for the French people. The great advantage the Allies had was fire power. Limiting fire power may have limited civilian casualties, but if it slowed the Allied advance it could have increased civilian casualties. And the impact on Allied military casualties have to be considered. Allied casualties were about 40,000 killed. here the numbers or more precise than those for civilian casualties. Limiting fire power almost certainly would have raised Allied military casualties. To the extent that it slowed the Allied advance, it could have actually increased civilian casualties, both in Normandy and overall.

Created: 12:12 AM 11/25/2023
Last updated: 12:12 AM 11/25/2023