Eisenhower’s “In Case of Failure” Note Accepting Full Responsibility for a Possible D-Day Defeat (June 5, 1944)

Date: June 5, 1944

Created By: Dwight D. Eisenhower

Original or Replica: Original

Era: D-Day and the Normandy Invasion, The General

Collection: Eisenhower Presidential Library

Citations: Eisenhower’s Pre-Presidential Papers, Principal File, Box 168, Butcher Diary June 28 – July 14, 1944 (2); NAID #186470

This handwritten note was prepared by General Dwight D. Eisenhower on June 5, 1944, as Allied forces prepared to launch the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Eisenhower wrote the statement in case Operation Overlord failed, intending to accept personal responsibility for the defeat rather than blame the soldiers, sailors, and airmen carrying out the invasion. He explains that the landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area had failed to establish a satisfactory foothold and that he had ordered the troops withdrawn.

Eisenhower emphasizes that the decision to attack was based on the best information available and praises the courage and devotion of the troops, as well as the efforts of the air and naval forces. Most importantly, he concludes that responsibility for attempting the invasion was his alone. The heavily edited handwriting and crossed-out phrases reveal Eisenhower revising his thoughts as he wrote. He also mistakenly dated the note “July 5,” although it was written on June 5, the day before D-Day. Because the invasion succeeded, Eisenhower never needed to issue the statement. The note offers a remarkable glimpse into the uncertainty surrounding D-Day and Eisenhower’s understanding of the personal responsibility he carried as Supreme Allied Commander.