The paratroopers fired at any windows they saw, whether they spotted Germans in them or not. Some men slowed or froze completely; others ducked and dodged until realizing their mistake. Other units were already attacking the vital town.
The Americans headed out to take more objectives six miles to the west and southwest, but a German counterattack stopped them approximately 1,000 yards outside of Carentan.
Lyall dragged himself to a partially destroyed stone shop, where he injected himself with morphine and hollered for a medic. Around midnight, as the Germans began pulling out of Carentan, 101st Airborne artillery commander Brigadier General Anthony C. Sergeant Robert Burr Smith was not so lucky.
NextVon der Heydte had been reinforced by the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division and was determined to retake Carentan.
Apply market research to generate audience insights. He is also a tour guide for Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours and leads tours to Carentan and other locations where Easy Company fought. Their target: a Y intersection defended by the German machine gun overlooking their approach.
NextThe blast tore his rifle from his hand, and it clattered loudly on the sidewalk.
Taylor and his more than 6,000 paratroopers landed on French soil beginning in the early morning hours of June 6, 1944—D-Day—after jumping from C-47 Transports. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's in accordance with our. Shrapnel tore into his face, wrist, leg, and crotch.
All three regiments would press forward at dawn.
It was attached to a rifle held by a surprised German. As the firing died down, paratroopers from Lt. Strayer and his staff hurried across.
Street leading up to the railway crossing.
The 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division, ordered to reinforce Carentan, was delayed by transport shortages and attacks by Alliedaircraft. Then one of the battalion officers, Lieutenant George Lavenson, headed into a field, dropped his pants, and squatted to relieve himself.
NextThe next morning, the glider soldiers renewed their attack southwestward but were stopped cold on the northern outskirts of Carentan.