Learn Our History Today: On June 6, 1944, one of the most famous events of World War II, and arguably all of military history, took place. This was the Allied invasion of Europe, which was codenamed Operation Overlord. In the early morning hours of June 6, the Invasion of Europe was kicked off when three Allied airborne divisions, the American 82nd and 101st and the British 6th, were dropped into German held Normandy, France. However, these airborne men were largely scattered all around Normandy by poorly marked drop zones and less than desirable weather. This scattering actually worked to the allies’ advantage, because wherever the Germans turned they were running into American and British paratroopers, causing mass confusion. After the airborne landings, American, British, and Canadian troops landed on multiple beaches along the Normandy coast. The American beaches were codenamed Omaha and Utah, the British beaches Gold and Sword, and the Canadians beach Juno. By far, the fiercest fighting took place at Omaha beach. At Omaha, the defense was much stronger than expected and the American troops landing there suffered heavy casualties. In addition, engineers who were under heavy fire had trouble clearing the beach’s obstacles, causing the few areas that were cleared by them to quickly become bunched up by newly landing soldiers. These areas then suffered murderous fire from German machine guns. However, not everyone on the beach was pinned down by the German guns. Small groups of soldiers were able to launch small penetrations, pouring through the gaps in between German positions. Overall, in spite of spirited German defense, the Allies were able to establish a beachhead in Europe and by the end of June 6; nearly 160,000 allied troops had arrived in France. The invasion of Normandy cost the allies almost 12,000 casualties and the Germans more than 4,000. In addition to D-day, June 6 is also remembered for the Battle of Belleau Wood, during World War I. On June 6, 1918, men of the United States Marines attacked German lines in a sweeping bayonet charge. Many marines were cut down by German Artillery and Machine gun fire, but they managed to overrun the German position. Almost immediately, the Germans counter-attacked, and during this attack Gunnery Sergeant Ernest A. Janson repelled 12 of the attacking Germans single-handedly, killing two with his bayonet before the others fled. These actions earned him the Medal of Honor, being the first Marine to receive the award in World War I. Later in the day, the Marines launched another attack on the Germans. The Marines advanced in supremely well-disciplined lines, through waist high wheat, straight toward German lines. The first wave of advancing marines was slaughtered by German machine gun fire, but their comrades managed to get into the German position. The Marines and the Germans then engaged in brutal hand-to-hand combat with trench knives, rifle butts, bayonets, and clubs. The fighting was awful, but the Marines drove out the Germans securing Belleau Wood for the Americans. At that time the Battle of Belleau Wood was the deadliest in Marine Corps history, with the Marines losing 31 officers and 1,056 enlisted men.
Posted on: Fri, 06 Jun 2014 23:19:26 +0000
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