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The 101st Airborne in Normandy, June 1944
"A condensed 'Band of Brothers' with profiles of Richard Winters and Easy company as well as the German and American Generals . . . 5 stars" (
Army Rumour Service
).
101st Airborne Division was activated in August 1942 in Louisiana, and its first combat mission was Operation Overlord. On D-Day--June 6, 1944--101st and 82nd Airborne dropped onto the Cotentin Peninsula hours before the landings, tasked with capturing bridges and positions, taking out German strongpoints and batteries, and securing the exits from Utah and Omaha Beaches. Things did not initially go smoothly for 101st Airborne, with cloud and antiaircraft fire disrupting the drops. Casualties were high in some areas due to heavy pre-registered German fire. Nevertheless, the paratroopers fought on, and they did manage to secure the crucial beach exits, even if they only achieved a tenuous hold on some other positions.
A few days later, 101st Airborne was tasked with attacking the German-held city of Carentan as part of the consolidation of the US beachheads and establishment of a defensive line against the anticipated German counteroffensive. The 101st forced its way into Carentan on June 10 and 11. The Germans withdrew the following day, and a counteroffensive was put down by elements of the 2nd Armored Division.
This fully illustrated book details the planning of the airborne element of D-Day and the execution of the plans until the troops were withdrawn to prepare for the next big airborne operation, Market Garden.
"Always good to read a detailed account of one division's contribution to Operation Overlord. The detail is exceptional and fascinating." --Books Monthly
101st Airborne Division was activated in August 1942 in Louisiana, and its first combat mission was Operation Overlord. On D-Day--June 6, 1944--101st and 82nd Airborne dropped onto the Cotentin Peninsula hours before the landings, tasked with capturing bridges and positions, taking out German strongpoints and batteries, and securing the exits from Utah and Omaha Beaches. Things did not initially go smoothly for 101st Airborne, with cloud and antiaircraft fire disrupting the drops. Casualties were high in some areas due to heavy pre-registered German fire. Nevertheless, the paratroopers fought on, and they did manage to secure the crucial beach exits, even if they only achieved a tenuous hold on some other positions.
A few days later, 101st Airborne was tasked with attacking the German-held city of Carentan as part of the consolidation of the US beachheads and establishment of a defensive line against the anticipated German counteroffensive. The 101st forced its way into Carentan on June 10 and 11. The Germans withdrew the following day, and a counteroffensive was put down by elements of the 2nd Armored Division.
This fully illustrated book details the planning of the airborne element of D-Day and the execution of the plans until the troops were withdrawn to prepare for the next big airborne operation, Market Garden.
"Always good to read a detailed account of one division's contribution to Operation Overlord. The detail is exceptional and fascinating." --Books Monthly
- GenresWorld War IIHistory
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 10, 2018
Nice book.
Liked it. Lots of pictures. Great overal story of one aspect of war. Looking forward to other books in this series.
Liked it. Lots of pictures. Great overal story of one aspect of war. Looking forward to other books in this series.
October 21, 2020
Great photos and images. It needs more narrative.
December 6, 2025
Great examination of the debut of the 101st.
Amazed at scope of title. Rich in detail, vital for context. Tight editing. The illustrations and match the text. A story of battalions.
Amazed at scope of title. Rich in detail, vital for context. Tight editing. The illustrations and match the text. A story of battalions.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews