The Atlantic Wall

[jim armstroong]

 

Another piece of trivia about D-Day and it's events that is not too well known.

 

The Germans had taken years to build the Atlantic Wall. At Utah Beach, it had held up the U.S. 4th Division for less than one hour. At Omaha Beach, it had held up the U.S. 29th and 1st Divisions for less than one day. At Gold Beach, Juno Beach, and Sword Beach, it had held up the British 50th, the Canadian 3rd, and the British 3rd Divisions for about an hour.

 

Fortress Europe had been breached. The largest amphibious operation in history was a success

 

Trouble began offshore. Thirty-two out of the 36 amphibious tanks accompanying the assault troops sank. Smoke and dust from the naval bombardment and strong currents pulled many boats off target.

 

The first waves were nearly wiped out before the men got across the beach. Some died before they exited their boats. Survivors crouched behind beach obstacles or crawled up the beach as the tide rose behind them. Many took shelter behind a sea wall.

 

Sgtleo

[Dogdaddy]

 

 

 

".....and strong currents pulled many boats off target. "

....to which Teddy Roosevelt Jr. replied: "Men..we'll start the war from here!" Prior to that, some thought had been given to having the soldiers pile on back into the landing craft and attempt to land in their designated spot on the beach. The ability of American commanders and leaders at the squad level to think and act independently averted a possible disaster on D-Day.

 

 

 

 

Jim

[Walt's Daughter]

Ah yes Dogdaddy. Good ol' American ingenuity. Thinking on the spur of the moment and working with what you had. The D-Day engineers kicked some ass to and prevailed when the situation looked hopeless.

[Dogdaddy]

The D-Day engineers kicked some ass to and prevailed when the situation looked hopeless.

Amen to that.....They had one of the most imposing and hazaardous jobs of all to accomplish that day....trying to clear the landing beaches of mines and obstacles before anyone else could even think of landing. Meanwhile the Krauts were raking them over with MG fire and pre-sighted mortars....

 

 

 

DD