D-Day + 77 Years (#129)
This weekend — June 6 — marks the 77th anniversary of Operation Overlord or the Allied invasion of Europe. D-Day was the largest amphibious invasion in history — in one 24-hour period 156,115 American, British, and Canadian soldiers landed by boat and airplane across a 55 mile coast line defended by 50,000 German troops. There were crises on every drop zone and every beach. But by the end of the day, the Allies had established a foothold in France.
Easy Company on D-Day
One unit that participated in the invasion was the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR). Of course, the 506th included Easy Company (Easy was the word for “E” in the phonetic alphabet), the most famous company that fought in the European Theater of Operations. By my count, there are at least fifteen books about the company, including the New York Times bestselling book Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose, the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers, and a half-dozen documentaries. This exposure has made Easy Company’s experience the epitome of the entire generation’s experience in World War II.
After Thomas Meehan’s plane was shot down during the jump, Dick Winters took command of Easy Company. He was played by Damien Lewis in the mini-series. I discussed his 10 principles for Leadership Success in post #72. I’ve also discussed Easy Company’s training at Currahee Mountain in Post #32 and Post #108. (TFCG offers a leadership training event at Currahee Mountain for your team this fall. Book it now for your team.)
In the darkness, paratroopers all over the Normandy coast found each other, formed ad hoc teams, and took the fight to the German defenders. One tool the paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division used to identify each other was a toy that made a distinct clicking sound. A single click on the cricket allowed a soldier to ask someone in the dark if they were friend or foe. If the other person responded with two clicks, it was a good bet he was a friend.
D-Day Cricket
As the sun came up on June 6th, four German howitzers were pounding Utah Beach with indirect fire. Winters took a group of 12 paratroopers from Easy and other companies, quickly formulated a plan, and led the assault that destroyed the guns. The group used fire from machine guns, maneuver, and hand grenades to knock out the four howitzers one-by-one. For his actions at Brecourt Manor, Dick Winters received the Distinguished Service Cross, the nation’s second highest award for valor. The citation read:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Richard D. Winters, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Company E, 2d Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in France. First Lieutenant Winters with seven enlisted men, advanced through intense enemy automatic weapons fire, putting out of action two guns of the battery of four 88-mm. that were shelling the beachhead. Unswerving in his determination to complete his self-appointed and extremely hazardous task, First Lieutenant Winters and his group withdrew for reinforcements. He returned with tank support and the remaining two guns were put out of action, resulting in decreased opposition to our forces landing on the beachhead. First Lieutenant Winters' heroic and determined leadership exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army.
Despite promises of only being in the fight for three days, Easy Company spent 33 days in combat in Normandy, protecting Utah Beach, liberating the town of Carentan, and defeating German counterattacks. The tough training at Currahee Mountain paid dividends time and time again. However, it came at a tremendous cost — of the 139 Easy Company paratroopers who jumped into France, 22 were killed in action and 43 were wounded – about 46% casualties for the Normandy campaign.
Conclusion
As you reflect on D-Day this weekend, think about Easy Company and its experience during the “day of days.” Go on the offensive, like Easy Company, and leverage your communication, leadership, and perseverance to achieve success in 2021.