(4/12)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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[LAND37]

Thank god hitler was an idiot cause his generals were not

[RollsRoyston]

this is great man, thanks for posting

[rpsmith221]

I noticed that this video omits the invaluable contribution made by the Republic P47 Thunderbolt. It earned a reputation as a devestating ground attack plane in its own right.

[ITILII]

@1942ann yes Ike was never in combat, and picky Monty to head the land forces, instead of Patton, guaranteed the war would not be won in 1944. Patton was a superb combat commander, he and Rommel was the best generals in WW 2

[ITILII]

@1942ann yes Ike was never in combat, and picky Monty to head the land forces, instead of Patton, guaranteed the war would not be won in 1944. Patton was a superb combat commander, he and Rommel was the best generals in WW 2

[1942ann]

Ike was a wise man in recognizing his limited ability as a battlefield commander.

[ahvazboy]

when it comes to Allied aerial bombings of France and Germany it is called "Bombing of strategic points and inhalations" but when Germany did it it was called "Bombing of cities and genocide" ,,,, so which one is true?

[debzeppeliniv]

@karachikapakistan lol u idiot that is like sayin uh I love Satan I think he's cool jeese

[debzeppeliniv]

ironic Eisenhower was of German ancestry

[muslimhunterFTW]

@karachikapakistan and if he where still alive he you would be next

[karachikapakistan]

i lov hitler coz he fuk jews

[bleushift]

its pretty logical i geus the allies wouldnt invade in holland

i live there

with allthe rivers and bridges it would be a slow and hard battle for progress and to complicated for airbourne forces to take it