June 6

[mmmbeans]

Omaha had twice as many defenders, more vets from the eastern front, the allied tanks were swamped and drifted off course and the defensive structures weren't depleted by the bombardment/bombing nearly as much as the other beaches.

as i understand it, on omaha, the bombardment/bombing hit largely behind the beach landing harmlessly and providing no craters on the beach for cover.

[g5jamz]

No B-29s around either. Bombers in that region were mostly heavy bombers used for deep runs.

Direct support was given by the destroyers/other ships. But guns were firing from 10-20 miles inland, plus mortars, plus pillboxes.

It's easy to armchair quarterback, but if you remember Dwight had to make a call at the last minute because the weather there sucks. Nearly all the time. So...he did. It could've turned to s**t, but it didn't.

[mmmbeans]

No B-29s around either. Bombers in that region were mostly heavy bombers used for deep runs.

Direct support was given by the destroyers/other ships. But guns were firing from 10-20 miles inland, plus mortars, plus pillboxes.

It's easy to armchair quarterback, but if you remember Dwight had to make a call at the last minute because the weather there sucks. Nearly all the time. So...he did. It could've turned to s**t, but it didn't.

not armchair quarterbacking... they were supposed to bomb the beach, they bombed the others... omaha got f*cked up. not criticizing... it's admirable as hell that they pulled it out anyway.

they were lucky the weather was as bad as it was, if it hadn't been there would've been a WHOOOLE lot more veteran troops on those beaches.

[Iceberg Slim]

reading this thread made me want to watch Saving Private Ryan

[g5jamz]

Watch Band of Brothers too. Bunch of classics out there as well.

[mr beauxjangles]

did you see the interview?

yep. i didn't see them film it, but watched it with him once it was finished.

[mmmbeans]

that must've been cool for both of you.

[Mr. Scot]

One of my uncles was there.

He never talked about it until one day when my nephew asked him for a school project.

[Chimera]

this too.

I met Dick Winters a few years before he died. Incredible person.

A couple of WWII MOH recipients were in Charlotte a week or two ago. I don't know what they were doing, but I had to stop and talk to them.

[Chimera]

http://life.time.com/history/d-day-rare-color-photos/#1

[CarolinaNCSU]

Had a great uncle who fought under Patton but never knew anyone involved with D-Day. Couldn't imagine that hell they faced.

[Davidson Deac II]

Had a great uncle who fought under Patton but never knew anyone involved with D-Day. Couldn't imagine that hell they faced.

Your great uncle might have faced some hell as well. Patton's forces had some tough fights, especially around Metz and on the drive to Bastogne.

[thefuzz]

Your great uncle might have faced some hell as well. Patton's forces had some tough fights, especially around Metz and on the drive to Bastogne.

Grandfathers buddy marched with Patton.

He was able to talk about it all the time, he and brother marched side by side. Crazy stuff.

[Mr. Scot]

My uncle hated Patton. Considered him a selfish, psychopathic bastard who built his career and reputation on the backs of needlessly dead soldiers.

Omar Bradley though? He'd have followed him through the gates of Hell. Said he had seen Bradley smear mud over his general's stars and get in the trenches with the enlisted men. Stuff like that was what earned him the nickname of "The Doughboy's Friend".