Over 20 years ago we holidayed near Isigny Sur Mer and a holiday in Normandy kindled an interest in serious history about WWII, during which I’ve read and watched and valued anything of you guys that I’ve come across. Intelligent, informative, accessible, entertaining but respectful. Omaha, as you say is a beautiful beach, an amenity for locals and tourists and our then 2yo little boy played in the sand and surf every day. A poignance that wasn’t lost on us, especially after visiting the adjacent US cemetery, the Commonwealth Cemetery at Bayeux and the German one at La Cambe. Our little boy is now a young man, probably older than most of the soldiers that fought in Normandy and WWII and I’m grateful that in part due to their sacrifice he is unlikely to ever experience what those oh so young men did and that part of that sacrifice means that children and their families in Western Europe can safely play on beautiful beaches. Would that it could be so everywhere.
Excellent nuggets in between the banter and some good insights. Thanks to the whole team presenting these two gentlemen at the tip of the entertainment spear.
Thanks for another great instalment, reminds me of the scene in The Longest Day and the German commander in the command bunker, sees the invasion force at sea. Always awesome that scene😊
WN60 was the position that fired on my Grandad's 550 LCA Flotilla (Royal Navy) as they brought in US troops of I and L company of the 16th Infantry Regiment during the first wave on D-Day (the map used at the beginning of the video i believe has a small mistake, Company I with the arrow pointing to the east were part of the 16th Infantry Regiment not the 116th as shown). They were meant to land on Fox Green sector at 6.30am but ended up landing at around 7am on Fox Red instead due to the strong sea current pulling their landing craft to the east. Also a combination of sea mist and the smoke fires above the cliffs hindered navigation for Grandad's flotilla. Indeed, half of Grandad's flotilla (6 LCAs) were so far east they were heading towards Port-en-Bessin! They realised their mistake and turned around, now going parallel to the coast line back towards Omaha Beach. They arrived on Fox Red over an hour late. Grandad's flotilla had the misfortune of coming ashore directly opposite WN60, meaning they came under sustained and heavy machine gun fire from this position on their run into the beach, causing loses to the US troops and to the Royal Navy personnel - 550 Flotilla lost 5 men during that first wave, but a positive was that the steep cliffs under WN60 offered the US troops below some protection once they did come ashore.
Two 88mm one at either end one at WN72 and one at WN61. Incorrect numbers on the Tanks too lads, Zagola has higher numbers. 741st B coy 5 DD tanks made it ashore. One of these knocked out the 88mm in WN61 and the 75mm in WN 60. A coy 14 deep wading landed and 7 dozers, three were destroyed by the 50mm in WN61. All of A cots tanks were lost by the end of the day. In the western end 743rd 32 DD and 7 deep wading and 3 tank dozers landed 6 were lost to the 88mm and 50mm in WN72 almost immediately.
I would be interested to know the source for the 'plan to land between the strongpoints and come at them from behind'? On the face of it, the 'plan' appears to be little more than 'one company per sub-sector'.
My father’s 1st cousins , French, are still in Normandie…. I just saw on another video that the Germans were trying to move huge forces up from the south in the middle of France to bolster against the Norman invasion of the allies… But Americans and British dropped machine guns and supplies to the French resistance fighters in the middle of France, who blow up rail lines and made it difficult for the Germans to mobilize their troops up to Normandy… This is a major factor in why the German defense were not as strong as they could’ve been… Hitler was trying to put tanks railways and usher them up to Normandy from the Vichy part of France… finally, on the French side of things that is on my French family side, my great grandfather good friend/cousin was Eugene Lefebrve, who was responsible for the French resistance in Pont-Audemer
Not to diminish the soldiers' accomplishments on Omaha Beach (which was actually the bloodiest of all the Normandy beaches on D-Day), but that day saw only 3,400 American casualties at Omaha, of whom only 770 were KIA. Those numbers pale in comparison to the famous battles of WWI. My point though is that those numbers speak to the relative weakness of the German defenses at Omaha.
Thanks for a quality (free) content. If you are one of the nause’s who can’t resist picking out minute details that you think are different, please don’t. It doesn’t make you into an expert and it doesn’t add to anyone’s enjoyment.
Typical and they talk about Russian movies being propaganda (they sure are but the have things more right than wrong numbers wise and quality troops against them).
If any of you history buffs are also into video games I highly suggest checking out the game called Hell Let Loose - WW2 first person shooter, nothing like call of duty, much more tactical, slower paced and intense. You can basically call it “playing” Band of Brothers instead of just watching it. Omaha and Utah beaches are maps in the game. As well as Foy, Kursk, Remagen, Driel, Hurtgen Forest, Saint Marie Egliese and Saint Marie Du Mont, Carentan, etc. it’s quite good, and visually stunning Edit: on Omaha beach there is a strong point named after the real life “draw” believe its WN70
Al, lend James some of your brylcreem 😜 Watching these videos makes me want to break my enforced abstinence of Hell Let Loose, but the reality wont match the expectation.
Just some pointers on the defending episode. There were five draws, not four. Two 8.8cm guns, not one. 352ID wasn’t poorly trained - level 2 of 4 levels of competency - with offensive training yet to be achieved. And it was well-equipped as per TOE. 716ID by nature was not a front line unit, being static, Niels is the expert here. The top/rear of the bluffs had two Kompanien of 352ID who were in direct support of the WNs. So they must be taken into account. Mostly Ost Battalion is not correct either.
To hit the defences, the bombers were asked to fly along the coast, bit the AF were nervous of flak, and insisted on bombing from the sea. Most of their load fell on the fields behind the defences.
What always I find puzzling is why hitler decided to fight on so many fronts at the same time, I’m glad he did because ultimately the war was lost and it seems a major contributing factor.
No mention of the fact that the likely success of the landing was so precarious at one stage that the Americans contemplated cancelling it when at the early stage US soldiers could not get off the beach but stayed behind the cover of the sea wall due to the amount of German defensive fire.
Actually that’s a bit of a myth that came about later in history when Bradley was older and said he considered it. But none of his dairy or records record this at the time and he actually sent his 2ic to the beach around mid day who reported everything was fine and no concerns. Given the gap it would have left between the other beaches it wouldn’t have been an option at all to withdraw from it. Essentially despite heavy casualties on either end of the beach it was basically secure from 1030 however the smoke and poor comms didn’t mean this was clear to the off shore commanders
Those German mgs chewed up ammo at an alarming rate. Keeping them supplied was always an ongoing struggle. You often see soldiers with belts of bullets draped over a shoulder, it'd be used in no time at all.
Defending that kind of position requires very little skill or experience. Realistically, these beach defenses aren't really designed to stop anyone. But to hold them up for long enough that the counter attack can arrive to push them back into the sea. Why waste well trained and highly experienced troops on a static defense? That's the logic that I would imagine they went with. Edit: also the allies had been waging a campaign of disinformation to lead the Germans to believe that the actual landings and biggest hit was to come at Calais, rather than Normandy.
The 352nd Infantry Divison was brought in to the area but were tasked mostly as a reserve to meet any invasion force. Their Artlillery were augmented for defending the beach, with observers located at resistance nest along the beach.
Have you guys read Heinrich Severloh's 'the Beast of Omaha's' memoirs? And how his MG42 machine gun post was responsible for the majority of the casualties inflicted on the US infantry on Dog Green
On the basis that entire deaths for Omaha was approx 1600 and total casualties around 2800, Severlohs claims to have fired 12000+ rounds, killed over 2000 and fired continuously for 12 hours look a tad over exaggerated. Its debated whether Severloh even manned an MG42, as more likely he was in one of the M1917 positions his unit had, given his war record. Casualties in front of WN62 his units MG42 position were approximately 300+ on the day. So, the questions are, where did Severloh get all his extra ammunition and spare gun barrels from? And how did he manage to be responsible for 70% of all Omaha casualties from his one single WN position? There is actually a very famous Robert Capa photo, from D Day second wave showing soldiers avoiding fire behind a couple of tanks,, the position is fire coming from right side WN64, and not WN62. Sevetloh lied.
Get your facts straight boys. ID 716 was a Bodenstandige Div ( Static or Fortress Division - not first rate either in terms of men or equipment ) , but the 352nd was a (reconstituted) line Infantry Division with a cadre of NCOs and Officers with frontline combat experience. You also failed to mention the Mortars , organic to Infanterie Divisions , which while not on the beach or immediate bluffs , were well within range and with predesignated fire zones and Forward Observers at the beach in the protection of the bunkers. MGs were set up in enfilade fire from the Widerstandsnesten.
@@IverKnackerov Hi Ivan In my opinion such details matter in history. You may have noted that I erred in my own response above by saying defilade fire when I meant enfilade , and have since corrected it. I am only an interested amateur , and I make my share of mistakes , but such small details become the foundations for what is commonly believed. This makes each piece of information important , so that what is built atop the foundation is sound. I myself am always in search of accurate detail. In my opinion , sometimes those legs are out of place.
Well also the crap US landing craft that meant you had to wade in from 500m out. It the US had taken the British crafts we offered you that you deemed 'gimmicks' you wouldnt have lost as many men . Arrogance, which was a main theme in WW2 despite joining "our team". I have said for years The Yanks had the 2 easiest beaches and yet made a total mess of it because they wouldnt listen to people who had been there
Not really accurate to say the British and Canadian beaches were only assaulted by a single division. Each beach also saw the deployment of an independent Armoured Brigade, Sword beach saw the use of two independent Commando Brigades, each beach also saw the deployment of numerous subunits of 79th Armoured, two brigades of independent artillery (AA and Field) plus RN and European Commandos. So yes... only one divisional standard came ashore at each British and Canadian beach, but the equivalent manpower and systems of slightly over two divisions landed on Sword, two divisions worth at Juno and slightly less on Gold. Over the first 24hours more came ashore on the British and Canadian beaches to exploit inland, so their second punch of the day was stronger. British and Commonwealth forces operated independent assault brigades in greater numbers than the US Army. They may be smaller units but surely they still deserve to be counted.
Really enjoying this, it's great to hear two knowledgeable experts explain it on the actual ground
One of the best channels on UA-cam, was just there in Normandy for the 80th Anniversary. God Bless all those who served !!
Over 20 years ago we holidayed near Isigny Sur Mer and a holiday in Normandy kindled an interest in serious history about WWII, during which I’ve read and watched and valued anything of you guys that I’ve come across. Intelligent, informative, accessible, entertaining but respectful.
Omaha, as you say is a beautiful beach, an amenity for locals and tourists and our then 2yo little boy played in the sand and surf every day. A poignance that wasn’t lost on us, especially after visiting the adjacent US cemetery, the Commonwealth Cemetery at Bayeux and the German one at La Cambe.
Our little boy is now a young man, probably older than most of the soldiers that fought in Normandy and WWII and I’m grateful that in part due to their sacrifice he is unlikely to ever experience what those oh so young men did and that part of that sacrifice means that children and their families in Western Europe can safely play on beautiful beaches. Would that it could be so everywhere.
Great content,been looking for an 'on the ground' perspective of normandy for a long time,keep up the good work
Excellent nuggets in between the banter and some good insights. Thanks to the whole team presenting these two gentlemen at the tip of the entertainment spear.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for another great instalment, reminds me of the scene in The Longest Day and the German commander in the command bunker, sees the invasion force at sea. Always awesome that scene😊
Brilliantly described and informative. A fascinating watch.
This is getting better by te episode👍👍👍👍
Woody had a good episode on The Colville Draw a week or so ago. How defences developed since 1942, etc.
Loving the video content! Doing a great job for the French tourist board
Cracking series ❤
Very interesting watch, well done to everyone involved.
Thanks so much for being the absolute best thing onYT fur some considerable time!!
WN60 was the position that fired on my Grandad's 550 LCA Flotilla (Royal Navy) as they brought in US troops of I and L company of the 16th Infantry Regiment during the first wave on D-Day (the map used at the beginning of the video i believe has a small mistake, Company I with the arrow pointing to the east were part of the 16th Infantry Regiment not the 116th as shown). They were meant to land on Fox Green sector at 6.30am but ended up landing at around 7am on Fox Red instead due to the strong sea current pulling their landing craft to the east. Also a combination of sea mist and the smoke fires above the cliffs hindered navigation for Grandad's flotilla. Indeed, half of Grandad's flotilla (6 LCAs) were so far east they were heading towards Port-en-Bessin! They realised their mistake and turned around, now going parallel to the coast line back towards Omaha Beach. They arrived on Fox Red over an hour late. Grandad's flotilla had the misfortune of coming ashore directly opposite WN60, meaning they came under sustained and heavy machine gun fire from this position on their run into the beach, causing loses to the US troops and to the Royal Navy personnel - 550 Flotilla lost 5 men during that first wave, but a positive was that the steep cliffs under WN60 offered the US troops below some protection once they did come ashore.
Two 88mm one at either end one at WN72 and one at WN61.
Incorrect numbers on the Tanks too lads,
Zagola has higher numbers.
741st B coy 5 DD tanks made it ashore. One of these knocked out the 88mm in WN61 and the 75mm in WN 60.
A coy 14 deep wading landed and 7 dozers, three were destroyed by the 50mm in WN61. All of A cots tanks were lost by the end of the day.
In the western end 743rd 32 DD and 7 deep wading and 3 tank dozers landed 6 were lost to the 88mm and 50mm in WN72 almost immediately.
I would be interested to know the source for the 'plan to land between the strongpoints and come at them from behind'? On the face of it, the 'plan' appears to be little more than 'one company per sub-sector'.
My father’s 1st cousins , French, are still in Normandie…. I just saw on another video that the Germans were trying to move huge forces up from the south in the middle of France to bolster against the Norman invasion of the allies… But Americans and British dropped machine guns and supplies to the French resistance fighters in the middle of France, who blow up rail lines and made it difficult for the Germans to mobilize their troops up to Normandy… This is a major factor in why the German defense were not as strong as they could’ve been… Hitler was trying to put tanks railways and usher them up to Normandy from the Vichy part of France… finally, on the French side of things that is on my French family side, my great grandfather good friend/cousin was Eugene Lefebrve, who was responsible for the French resistance in Pont-Audemer
Great comment! Thank you.
Not to diminish the soldiers' accomplishments on Omaha Beach (which was actually the bloodiest of all the Normandy beaches on D-Day), but that day saw only 3,400 American casualties at Omaha, of whom only 770 were KIA. Those numbers pale in comparison to the famous battles of WWI. My point though is that those numbers speak to the relative weakness of the German defenses at Omaha.
Where were all those German crack troops.... oh yes they were getting completely destroyed on the Eastern Front.
No wonder there were so many offers of “handy hock” followed by gun fire in a lot of cases I’d imagine
Thanks for a quality (free) content. If you are one of the nause’s who can’t resist picking out minute details that you think are different, please don’t. It doesn’t make you into an expert and it doesn’t add to anyone’s enjoyment.
Can relics still be found if you walk around with a metal detector or is this forbidden
Some people like to go to old war fields just for this purpose
Saving Private Ryan fooled us with the giant concrete towers
Typical and they talk about Russian movies being propaganda (they sure are but the have things more right than wrong numbers wise and quality troops against them).
Ahhhh the dude that does all your audio books. Thought I recognized the name and voice!
I was expecting to see a few more views of the area.
If any of you history buffs are also into video games I highly suggest checking out the game called Hell Let Loose - WW2 first person shooter, nothing like call of duty, much more tactical, slower paced and intense. You can basically call it “playing” Band of Brothers instead of just watching it. Omaha and Utah beaches are maps in the game. As well as Foy, Kursk, Remagen, Driel, Hurtgen Forest, Saint Marie Egliese and Saint Marie Du Mont, Carentan, etc. it’s quite good, and visually stunning
Edit: on Omaha beach there is a strong point named after the real life “draw” believe its WN70
A brilliant unscripted show I feel like I'm sitting with 2 old friends having a chat
0:14 "We're starting at the Western end" ummm - Eastern end.
"Acrid stench of cordite".... which the Americans didn't use... I digress... Another fine episode!
Al, lend James some of your brylcreem 😜 Watching these videos makes me want to break my enforced abstinence of Hell Let Loose, but the reality wont match the expectation.
Or, James could wash his hair. Bet his jeans need a wash, too.
Just some pointers on the defending episode.
There were five draws, not four.
Two 8.8cm guns, not one.
352ID wasn’t poorly trained - level 2 of 4 levels of competency - with offensive training yet to be achieved.
And it was well-equipped as per TOE.
716ID by nature was not a front line unit, being static, Niels is the expert here.
The top/rear of the bluffs had two Kompanien of 352ID who were in direct support of the WNs.
So they must be taken into account.
Mostly Ost Battalion is not correct either.
Bad weather kept Bombers from hitting it right before the landings
To hit the defences, the bombers were asked to fly along the coast, bit the AF were nervous of flak, and insisted on bombing from the sea. Most of their load fell on the fields behind the defences.
What always I find puzzling is why hitler decided to fight on so many fronts at the same time, I’m glad he did because ultimately the war was lost and it seems a major contributing factor.
No mention of the fact that the likely success of the landing was so precarious at one stage that the Americans contemplated cancelling it when at the early stage US soldiers could not get off the beach but stayed behind the cover of the sea wall due to the amount of German defensive fire.
Actually that’s a bit of a myth that came about later in history when Bradley was older and said he considered it. But none of his dairy or records record this at the time and he actually sent his 2ic to the beach around mid day who reported everything was fine and no concerns. Given the gap it would have left between the other beaches it wouldn’t have been an option at all to withdraw from it. Essentially despite heavy casualties on either end of the beach it was basically secure from 1030 however the smoke and poor comms didn’t mean this was clear to the off shore commanders
The Germans suffered 1200 dead at Omaha beach so they fought hard with what they had. The biggest problem they had was lack of ammunition.
And their best Armies A B and Center were being destroyed in the East.
Wait. James Holland and Tom Holland are brothers?
Yes.
The situation for the Germans was made worse because of lack of ammo-enough for forty five mins
Those German mgs chewed up ammo at an alarming rate. Keeping them supplied was always an ongoing struggle. You often see soldiers with belts of bullets draped over a shoulder, it'd be used in no time at all.
There were two divisions to pile in, but they only assaulted two brigades (regiments if you're a yank) up, same as GOLD, JUNO and UTAH
Approx 1500 men (750 per Division) in the 1st wave at Omaha.
You cannot spell. What is the word in the title that is similar to Defences?
Just 1 German Division (12,020 men) defending 33 miles (53km) of coastline; almost half of whom have no combat experience. What were they thinking of?
The millions of Red Army soldiers in the east.
Defending that kind of position requires very little skill or experience.
Realistically, these beach defenses aren't really designed to stop anyone. But to hold them up for long enough that the counter attack can arrive to push them back into the sea.
Why waste well trained and highly experienced troops on a static defense?
That's the logic that I would imagine they went with.
Edit: also the allies had been waging a campaign of disinformation to lead the Germans to believe that the actual landings and biggest hit was to come at Calais, rather than Normandy.
The 352nd Infantry Divison was brought in to the area but were tasked mostly as a reserve to meet any invasion force. Their Artlillery were augmented for defending the beach, with observers located at resistance nest along the beach.
@@PalleRasmussen Rommel was more concerned about the 2 million Allied soldiers across the channel and their air armada.
@@InTheFootstepsofHeroes but he did not decide what divisions were sent east or west.
Have you guys read Heinrich Severloh's 'the Beast of Omaha's' memoirs? And how his MG42 machine gun post was responsible for the majority of the casualties inflicted on the US infantry on Dog Green
On the basis that entire deaths for Omaha was approx 1600 and total casualties around 2800, Severlohs claims to have fired 12000+ rounds, killed over 2000 and fired continuously for 12 hours look a tad over exaggerated. Its debated whether Severloh even manned an MG42, as more likely he was in one of the M1917 positions his unit had, given his war record. Casualties in front of WN62 his units MG42 position were approximately 300+ on the day. So, the questions are, where did Severloh get all his extra ammunition and spare gun barrels from? And how did he manage to be responsible for 70% of all Omaha casualties from his one single WN position? There is actually a very famous Robert Capa photo, from D Day second wave showing soldiers avoiding fire behind a couple of tanks,, the position is fire coming from right side WN64, and not WN62. Sevetloh lied.
No, he didn’t. ua-cam.com/video/beZfMO9Rdw4/v-deo.htmlsi=BlU34So6_6PKIcXL
Man, the guy in the tan jacket looks exactly like Rik Mayall.
5:02 Al - if you want biodiversity and protected species, visit the Salisbury Plain Training Areas - or better still, Porton Down!
Would have worked if you had not talked over one another. Come on.
Get your facts straight boys. ID 716 was a Bodenstandige Div ( Static or Fortress Division - not first rate either in terms of men or equipment ) , but the 352nd was a (reconstituted) line Infantry Division with a cadre of NCOs and Officers with frontline combat experience.
You also failed to mention the Mortars , organic to Infanterie Divisions , which while not on the beach or immediate bluffs , were well within range and with predesignated fire zones and Forward Observers at the beach in the protection of the bunkers.
MGs were set up in enfilade fire from the Widerstandsnesten.
Jeez…. It’s free quality content. And you’re picking the legs off the fly ….
@@IverKnackerov
Hi Ivan
In my opinion such details matter in history. You may have noted that I erred in my own response above by saying defilade fire when I meant enfilade , and have since corrected it. I am only an interested amateur , and I make my share of mistakes , but such small details become the foundations for what is commonly believed. This makes each piece of information important , so that what is built atop the foundation is sound.
I myself am always in search of accurate detail. In my opinion , sometimes those legs are out of place.
Well also the crap US landing craft that meant you had to wade in from 500m out. It the US had taken the British crafts we offered you that you deemed 'gimmicks' you wouldnt have lost as many men . Arrogance, which was a main theme in WW2 despite joining "our team". I have said for years The Yanks had the 2 easiest beaches and yet made a total mess of it because they wouldnt listen to people who had been there
Sounds like they should’ve listened to you…
Just like in Hurtgen forest.
These 2 guys are waffeling on wheres the facts
The fact that the Germany Armies AB Center and their allies were getting completely destroyed at the Eastern Front.
how dare you say the smell of cordite is an acrid smell to ex members of the armed forces and my service the rn it is the smell of freedom
Blah blah blah blah you never seen and drop of blood in your life. So tired of these so called veterans online.
Not really accurate to say the British and Canadian beaches were only assaulted by a single division.
Each beach also saw the deployment of an independent Armoured Brigade, Sword beach saw the use of two independent Commando Brigades, each beach also saw the deployment of numerous subunits of 79th Armoured, two brigades of independent artillery (AA and Field) plus RN and European Commandos.
So yes... only one divisional standard came ashore at each British and Canadian beach, but the equivalent manpower and systems of slightly over two divisions landed on Sword, two divisions worth at Juno and slightly less on Gold.
Over the first 24hours more came ashore on the British and Canadian beaches to exploit inland, so their second punch of the day was stronger. British and Commonwealth forces operated independent assault brigades in greater numbers than the US Army. They may be smaller units but surely they still deserve to be counted.