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> _______________________________ 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> _____________________________ 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> ___________________________ 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>