Destination Normandy: Three American Regiments on D-Day

G. H. Bennett

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.

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
• 9 Launching the Invasion: 80
• 10 The Battle for the Marshes: 99
• 11 The Drive Inland and the Crossing of the Merderet: 109
• 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
• Index: 217

About the author

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.

Bibliographic information

• Title: Destination Normandy: Three American Regiments on D-Day; Stackpole Military History Series
• Author: G. H. Bennett
• Publisher: Stackpole Books, 2009
• ISBN: 1461750881, 9781461750888
• Length: 256 pages
• Subjects: History / Military / World War II