djvelour 0 #1 January 6, 2006 A fellow skydiver and I need to settle an argument. Exactly how many paratroopers were dropped on D-day in total (on both sides)? The best I could find after a bit of a search of the web was that it looks like maybe 3 divisions (2 US and 1 British) were dropped. Which begs the question, were WW2 airborne divisions the same size as WW2 infantry divisions... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #2 January 6, 2006 As a battalion within the British 6th Airborne Division, Canadians took part in several major operations on the European theatre. In the night of 5th to 6th June 1944, they crossed the Channel to be dropped on the East flank of the landing area a few hours before the assault. For different reasons, including adverse weather conditions and poor visibility, the soldiers were scattered, at times quite far from the planned drop zone. Nevertheless, and in spite of German resistance, the men of the 1st Canadian Parachute battalion achieved their goals: to cut the bridges on the Dives and Divette Rivers in Varaville and Robehomme, to protect the left flank of the 9th Parachute Battalion as it attacked the German artillery position in Merville, to take a strategic position at a crossroad in Le Mesnil. The Canadian Battalion was later involved in ground operations to strengthen the bridgehead and support the advance of Allied troops towards the Seine River. On September 6th, 1944, they left Normandy and returned to the Bulford training camp. 'C' Company had been given the task of clearing out the enemy garrison at Varaville. Given the size of the force represented by 'C' Company, the undertaking was formidable. At the Chateau de Varaville, a 75 mm anti-tank gun and fortifications, which included bunkers and trenches, had been established to control the road intersection. This was manned by a much larger force than had been anticipated… - John A. Willes, Out of the Clouds Paratroopers of the 1st Canadian Parachute battalion on a Churchill tank: Privates E. D. Aziz, P. G. Mulroy, Sergeant G. H. Jickels, Privates L. O. Fuson, J. Humeniuk, G. M. Brown, R. H. Carlton. Greven, Germany, April 5, (or 31st March), 1945. Photo by Charles H. Richer. Department of National Defence / National Archives of Canada, PA-142610. A soldier from the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion shakes hands with a Russian officer in Wismar, Germany, May 4th, 1945. Photo by Charles H. Richer. Department of National Defence / National Archives of Canada, PA-150930. Of the 27 officers and 516 men from the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion who took part in the Battle of Normandy, 24 officers and 343 men gave their lives. The unit had to be re-organized and retrained in order to regain its strength and combat-readiness. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mjosparky 4 #3 January 7, 2006 QuoteExactly how many paratroopers were dropped on D-day in total (on both sides)? I could be wrong, but I don't think the Germans were part of the D-day invasion. SparkyMy idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #4 January 7, 2006 Actually, as I recall, German paratroopers were used to halt an advance at Utah and Omaha around D-day +2.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #5 January 7, 2006 QuoteActually, as I recall, German paratroopers were used to halt an advance at Utah and Omaha around D-day +2. Quote Air deployed? I didn't think they jumped much after the losses they took in Italy. ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #6 January 7, 2006 Not air deployed as far as I can recall, due to what you did mention, the problems they had in Italy. However, I'm a history guy and love the details...German Paratroopers were instrumental in severely slowing the Allied forces down on Utah and Omaha. Just a detail quirk of sorts.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airtwardo 7 #7 January 7, 2006 QuoteJust a detail quirk of sorts Quote 'Airborne' qualified...but if ya hump it into battle...yer a 'LEG'! ~ If you choke a Smurf, what color does it turn? ~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doogie320 0 #8 January 8, 2006 QuoteQuote Air deployed? I didn't think they jumped much after the losses they took in Italy. Twardo, do you mean Crete? I think that was the last major drop by the Germans, although their Airborne fought as groud troops for the rest of the war. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ripcord4 0 #9 January 8, 2006 After the appalling losses the Fallschirmjaegers sustained on Crete, Hitler decided there would be no more Airborne operations. He kept the units intact, but used them only as straight leg infantry. Indeed, the losses by the Germans gave serious pause in this country about A/B ops in general, but luckily (wisely?) cooler heads prevailed and the development of our Airborne continued. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,026 #10 January 11, 2006 QuoteA fellow skydiver and I need to settle an argument. Exactly how many paratroopers were dropped on D-day in total (on both sides)? The best I could find after a bit of a search of the web was that it looks like maybe 3 divisions (2 US and 1 British) were dropped. Which begs the question, were WW2 airborne divisions the same size as WW2 infantry divisions... There were approx 13,000 in the 82nd and 101st Airborne's 6 parachute regiments, and 15,500 overall (some gliders). The American paras were hampered by infighting between the Generals Bradley, Ridgeway, Gavin and Taylor and "remains second only to the OMAHA beach landing in near disaster" according to Prof. Allan Millett, Prof. of Military History, Ohio State. It was a major screw up at division level, although individual units accomplished some very good things, like Lt. Winters' hastily assembled team taking the Brecourt Manor battery. The 82nd had a debacle with its gliders too. The 82nd had 5,436 casualties and the 101st had an estimated 2,600 casualties on 6th June, and 4,670 by the end of June. In contrast the British (including Canadian) 6th Airborne Division contained a lot of glider borne troops (some 800+ gliders altogether) as well as 4,200 paras. They were successful in accomplishing ALL their objectives, such as the Pegasus Bridge, Dives River bridges, Caen Canal, Merville battery, etc. Total 6th division troops including gliders was 7900 The 6th Division lost 821 dead, 2709 wounded and 927 missing. On D-Day, the Allies landed around 156,000 troops in Normandy. The American forces landed numbered 73,000: 23,250 on Utah Beach, 34,250 on Omaha Beach, and 15,500 airborne troops. In the British and Canadian sector, 83,115 troops were landed (61,715 of them British): 24,970 on Gold Beach, 21,400 on Juno Beach, 28,845 on Sword Beach, and 7900 airborne troops. 11,590 aircraft were available to support the landings. On D-Day, Allied aircraft flew 14,674 sorties, and 127 were lost. Operation Neptune involved huge naval forces, including 6939 vessels: 1213 naval combat ships, 4126 landing ships and landing craft, 736 ancillary craft and 864 merchant vessels. 79% of the ships were British, 16% US and 5% other nations. Some 195,700 personnel were assigned to Operation Neptune: 52,889 US, 112,824 British, and 4988 from other Allied countries. By the end of 11 June (D + 5), 326,547 troops, 54,186 vehicles and 104,428 tons of supplies had been landed on the beaches.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
usedtajump 1 #11 January 11, 2006 Great historical information, Kallend. Kind'a puts things in in a different perspective. WOW!The older I get the less I care who I piss off. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,026 #12 January 13, 2006 QuoteGreat historical information, Kallend. Kind'a puts things in in a different perspective. WOW! Professors are supposed to know stuff... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jurgencamps 0 #13 January 13, 2006 Quote Professors are supposed to know stuff Like you said: are supposed to ... Jurgen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,026 #14 January 13, 2006 QuoteQuote Professors are supposed to know stuff Like you said: are supposed to ... Jurgen Be my guest and correct the mistakes in what I wrote. ... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jurgencamps 0 #15 January 14, 2006 No mistakes ......... this time Jurgen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
djvelour 0 #16 January 15, 2006 And the Genius award in the field of History is given to.... Kallend! Thanks for all the help, and once for all settling this argument between my friend and I...in my favor. Those were all the stats I wanted and then some...its amazing how hard it is to find a web page with just the stats you typed in...ohhhh if only ruled the world. You da man Kallend! -Christian Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wartload 0 #17 January 17, 2006 Yep, but profs are also supposed to cite their sources. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,026 #18 January 18, 2006 QuoteYep, but profs are also supposed to cite their sources. Since when is DZ.COM a refereed professional journal?... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
