(2/12)Battlefield I The Battle of Normandy Episode 7 (GDH)

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The Normandy beaches were chosen by planners because they lay within range of air cover, and were less heavily defended than the obvious objective of the Pas de Calais, the shortest distance between Great Britain and the Continent. Airborne drops at both ends of the beachheads were to protect the flanks, as well as open up roadways to the interior. Six divisions were to land on the first day; three U.S., two British and one Canadian. Two more British and one U.S. division were to follow up after the assault division had cleared the way through the beach defenses.
Disorganization, confusion, incomplete or faulty implementation of plans characterized the initial phases of the landings. This was especially true of the airborne landings which were badly scattered, as well as the first wave units landing on the assault beaches. To their great credit, most of the troops were able to adapt to the disorganization. In the end, the Allies achieved their objective.
The AIRBORNE ASSAULT into Normandy as part of the D-Day Allied invasion of Europe was the largest use of airborne troops up to that time. Paratroopers of the U.S. 82d and 101st Airborne divisions, the British 6th Airborne Division, the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, and other attached Allied units took part in the assault. Numbering more than 13,000 men, the paratroopers were flown from bases in southern England to the Cotentin Peninsula in approximately 925 C-47 airplanes. An additional 4,000 men, consisting of glider infantry with supporting weapons and medical and signal units, were to arrive in 500 gliders later on D-Day to reinforce the paratroopers. The parachute troops were assigned what was probably the most difficult task of the initial operation -- a night jump behind enemy lines five hours before the coastal landings.
To protect the invasion zone's western extremity and to facilitate the "Utah" landing force's movement into the Cotentin Peninsula, the U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions descended on the peninsula by parachute and glider in the early hours of D-Day. The paratroopers were badly scattered. Many were injured and killed during the attack, and much of their equipment was lost. But the brave paratroopers fought fiercely, causing confusion among the German commanders and keeping the Germans troops occupied. Their efforts, hampered by harsh weather, darkness and disorganization, and initiative of resourceful soldiers and leaders, ensured that the UTAH BEACH assault objectives were eventually accomplished. The British and Canadian attacks also accomplished their primary goal of securing the left flank of the invasion force. (Excerpt from U.S. Army History)

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[jcnwillemsen]

great doc, lots of info.

[32silvercoins]

At 2:50 thats really rare footage of a German trooper using a rifle grenade.

Thats why I watch these Docs, for juicy tid-bits like that.

[topperheartramada]

I love how the Brits wouldn't change their plate-looking helmets. They look ridiculous. Everyone else had a decent helmet that covered most of the head, but the Brits had to stick a tiny little plate on top of their heads.

[Mycterizian]

It is staggering to see all of the raw materials that this war consumed. Absolutely amazing!

[noblepuker]

@bleushift I am an american,and love the dutch ! Thanks for the reply friend.

[bleushift]

@noblepuker treu

iam dutch and love americans

but if you watch shootout

the opening begins with

american gi s against NAZI KILLERS

iam like

cooome ooon

[zacharywilliamson101]

cool

[martynrobin121]

@AcePilot101 With France fallen and the British B.E.F defeated and there R.A.F in france defeated it looked very bad for the Brits and then with the Italian invasion of Greece and then N.Africa Hitler knew the British would be kept busy and would be far to weak to open anouther front in Europe, Hitler then turned to invade Russia for reosurces and because it was the home of the communism.

[martynrobin121]

@AcePilot101 The Axis wanted peace with Britain, As Hitler admired the British Empire with the fall of France and British B.E.F in North Europe been captured or evacuated, Hitler thought the British would agree to peace. And Hitler didnt give up on his plans to invade Britain. By 1940 Hitlers dreams of invasion were crushed the R.A.F were too strong for the Luftwaffe and they had a secret weapon, The Axis couldnt invade Britain but Hitler thought they were too weak to keep fighting.

[noblepuker]

Battlefield docs are the best,hands down.They seem to look at both sides equally.Most usa made docs are for usa release,and one sided to put it mildly.Americans would watch the usa losing,i wish the creators understood this.I'm an american,and have to goto the BBC,or elswhere for a good war doc,It's sad.

[AcePilot101]

Sorry, I meant Dunkirk.