D-Day's Plan B

On D-day, it is wise to remember the small note which Dwight D. Eisenhower, the supreme allied commander, had written the day before, and placed in his wallet in the event of the mission's failure.

Simply,

"Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone."

It is a lesson of leadership, and responsibility to his troops. He would withdraw the troops if a satisfactory foothold was not gained.

It is called having a Plan B.