A Good Definition of Initiative

Omaha Beach was the toughest of all the beaches targeted by the allies on June 6, 1944, on D-Day. "On this two-division front landing, only six rifle companies were relatively effective as units," says S.L.A. Marshall, who was there.

To put that in perspective, a U.S. Army division contains between 10,000 and 15,000 soldiers. So two divisions means 20,000 to 30,000 soldiers. A company contains between 60 and 200 soldiers. So six rifle companies functioning effectively implies somewhere between 360 and 1200 men in organized units that are "combat effective."

On Omaha Beach, "relatively effective" likely is the better description. 

Somehow, individual soldiers, on their own initiative, managed to climb the bluffs and secure the beachhead. A better example of initiative I am hard pressed to provide. 


source: taskandpurpose

source: Thirteen 

My nephew, who serves with the 101st Airborne, (82nd Airborne was the other) who dropped behind German lines) brought me back some sand from both Utah and Omaha beaches he picked up while representing the 101st Airborne at the 75th anniversary of D-Day. Sacred soil, indeed. 

source: National Archives