The Allies began the Invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1945. By the end of the day approximately 156,000 Allied troops had successfully stormed Normandy’s beaches. More than 4,000 Allied troops were killed and thousands more wounded or missing.
In Memory
Beattie Purcell
Pictured above are Ted and Beattie.
On June 6, 1944, the Western Allies of World War II launched the largest amphibious invasion in history, landing on the beaches of Normandy. Beattie was a young man at the time, living in his homeland of Ireland. I remember a photo of Beattie hanging in his home in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Beattie is at the helm of a sailboat and behind him is the Normandy Invasion Fleet.
Eventually Beattie would bring his sailing expertise to Catalina Yachts, building and selling the Catalina 22. The success of the Catalina 22 in a very large part belongs to his efforts. Beattie was always available to lend a helping hand when it came to sailing. No one was turned away when they asked Beattie for help, especially where the Catalina 22 was concerned.