The World War II Photo of the Week
for 22 September 2003
Through the Lens of An $8,500,000 Camera ...
A line of U.S. Coast Guard LCIs (Landing Craft, Infantry) moves across the English Channel on June 6, 1944, bound for Normandy. This was the first D-Day photograph made by the Americans that was transmitted by radio-telephoto from London around the world. The LCIs tow barrage balloons to protect them from low-flying enemy planes intent on strafing them. The photo was taken by USCG combat photographer S. Scott Wiglo, a former Detroit newspaperman. It appeared in scores of stateside newspapers on D-Day, giving Americans their first look at the invasion force. The camera Wiglo used to take the photo was later sold for $8,500,000 in war bond purchases in a coast-to-coast "Victory Bond Auction" radio broadcast. U.S. Coast Guard photo, from the Webmaster's collection. |
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