Destination Normandy: Three American Regiments on D-Day

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Stackpole Books, Apr 20, 2009 - History - 256 pages
  • A cross-section of the American experience on D-Day
  • Unique perspective from the regimental level that also integrates strategic and tactical considerations
  • Stories of largely forgotten acts of valor

    G. H. Bennett collects oral histories from the soldiers of three American regiments and weaves them into an intimate account of the D-Day invasion of June 6, 1944. Widely scattered during its drop into Normandy, the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment (82nd Airborne Division) stopped the advance of an SS division. The untested 116th Infantry Regiment (29th Infantry Division) landed on bloody Omaha Beach, where it suffered more casualties than any other regiment that day. Meanwhile, the 22nd Infantry Regiment (4th Infantry Division) easily waded ashore on Utah Beach but faced savage fighting as it moved inland.

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    Contents

    1 Operation Bolero and the Clash of Cultures
    1
    2 Three Regiments and the Mind of the GI
    7
    3 Early Training and the Buildup to June 6 1944
    17
    4 Free Time Crime and the GI
    28
    5 Segregation and Race
    42
    6 Amphibious Training
    49
    7 The Waiting Enemy
    61
    8 Preinvasion Movements
    68
    12 Cutoff Elements of the 507th
    117
    13 Aftermath and Conclusions
    129
    Appendix 1 116th Infantry Regiment Losses in Action June 67 1944
    141
    Appendix 2 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment Losses in Action June 6July 14 1944
    155
    Appendix 3 116th Infantry Regiment Decorations for BraveryOmaha Beach
    183
    Appendix 4 Casualties Recorded on the Graignes Memorial
    195
    Notes
    197
    Sources
    209

    9 Launching the Invasion
    80
    10 The Battle for the Marshes
    99
    11 The Drive Inland and the Crossing of the Merderet
    109

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    About the author (2009)

    G. H. Bennett is head of humanities at the University of Plymouth. He has written or cowritten eight books, including Hitler's Admirals (978-1-59114-061-0) and Roosevelt's Peacetime Administrations, 1933-41 (978-0-7190-6565-1). He lives in England.

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