D-Day

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how the amphibious invasion of Normandy by Allied forces on June 6, 1944 was preceded by airborne landings to secure key objectives. It analyzes how the efforts of these airborne troops were an important factor in the success of the invasion. It looks at the mission, operations, equipment and leaders of the three divisions took part in the airborne piece of the battle on D-Day. They were the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and the British 6th Airborne Division. It describes how all three units had combat jump experience and consisted of a combination of parachute and glider infantry regiments and how the American portion of the airborne mission was code named Operation Neptune.

Outline
Introduction
Equipment
Contending Forces
The Commanders
Operations
Analysis and Conclusion
Bibliography

From the Paper:

"The American 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions were well-trained and combat experienced. The same was true of the British 6th Airborne Division. The 101st and 82nd each consisted of three parachute infantry regiments who jumped into action and one glider infantry regiment which came into combat in gliders released from tow planes. Gliders landed on strips prepared by the earlier arriving parachute troops. About 6,200 troops from each division took part in the invasion. The British Sixth Airborne Division consisted of three brigades, two parachute brigades and one airlanding or glider brigade. One of the parachute brigades contained a Canadian parachute regiment. The 6th was similar in size to the American divisions. The Germans initially placed second line or older reserve troops in the Normandy invasion area. But shortly before the invasion, Field Marshall Rommel succeeded in obtaining reinforcements for Normandy, many of which were first line and elite troops."

More papers on D-Day:

• Essay # 35136 : "General Patton's D-Day Speech"
• Term Paper # 143218 : "D-Day: June 6, 1944"
• Essay # 62914 : "Hobart's Funnies: World War II and D-Day"

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