Private Sam Levitas, stationed at Hestercombe House in Somerset, identified Montgomery’s accidental mention of June 5, 1944, before the D-Day landings, leading to swift corrections to prevent leaks to enemy forces. The incident caused a security scare and a temporary lockdown of the US base until after the successful June 6, 1944, invasion.
Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery nearly disclosed the D-Day invasion date in a speech meant to inspire troops. The incident was recounted by Private Sam Levitas in a 2017 interview before his passing. Stationed at Hestercombe House in Somerset, Levitas identified the accidental mention of June 5, 1944, the planned date before weather delays, in Montgomery’s speech. The draft was swiftly corrected, preventing potential leaks to Nazi forces.
Montgomery, recognized for his role in both World Wars and leading the British Eighth Army in North Africa, inadvertently caused a security scare, leading to a lockdown of the US base until after the June 6, 1944, landings.
As the world marks the invasion’s 80th anniversary, commemorations include a new 50p coin by the Royal Mint, featuring Allied landing scenes designed by David Lawrence. French sand artists, Jehan-Benjamin Tarain and Sam Dougados, recreated the coin’s design on Gold Beach. The tribute highlights the coordinated effort and sacrifices made in Operation Overlord, the largest seaborne invasion in history. The commemorative coin and sand art serve as enduring reminders of the historic event.
