Zero2Cool
15 years ago
I'm flipping through the channels and I see a war movie, Saving Private Ryan. I don't know much about this war or this specific invasion so I ask.

Why did we back those ships onto the beach into the enemy's firing squad?

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I can only imagine how frustrating it was for the hero's in action as I watch in frustration... thinking ... man they don't have a chance.
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Rockmolder
15 years ago
It must've been terrifying. I just get an uneasy feeling whenever I watch that assault. And most of the time that's in a movie, not even the real deal.

A lot of those bunkers and turrets should've been damaged or destroyed by bombardments from ships and planes. They couldn't get any closer due to all the hedgehogs, logs and constructions in the water and on the beach. Half of which had been strapped with mines. A lot of tanks didn't reach shore or where destroyed as soon as they did. A lot of officers where killed as soon as they reached the shore. The Germans had just switched reserves from the east front with a highly trained unit to defend the French beaches.

I'm sure there was more, but that's as much as my small mind can remember from watching Discovery Channel and reading about it.

And why it had to be done?

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I bet that all the guys over there fought with even more of a chip on their shoulder after that invasion. It was no longer just saving the Europeans from the Germans, but it might've become a little more personal right there.

But again, I've never been in a war situation. I wouldn't know.
Wade
  • Wade
  • Veteran Member
15 years ago


Why did we back those ships onto the beach into the enemy's firing squad?

"Zero2Cool" wrote:




Here's my guess. Foster or another real vet will likely give the real reason.

Think of it this way. You got a crapload of stuff coming at you. You have a choice: have some steel in front of you for an extra 30 feet (the length of the boat, or get out the back, and then have to wade forward in water without the steel in front an extra 30 feet.

Basically, you're the same sitting duck target regardless. Those damn sergeants have convinced you that you have to do something clearly against your interest -- charge against a people shooting at you with lots of weapons...and now you're stuck on this goddamned boat with nothing to do but hope you get lucky and get through the shit of the next hours.

So, Foster.....how in the world *do* you convince rational human beings to do this? Yeah, Hitler's evil, I get that. But charging against a beachhead? I'm pretty damn sure I'm going to be dead long before Hitler is.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
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MontanaBob
15 years ago
Those "ships" are LST's or LSD's. Land Ship Tank/Troops or Landing Ship Dock. They are facing forward. The raced up to shore and when a rudder on the bottom hit sand, the front of the ship would drop down and the troops or tanks would pour out. Sometimes the front would drop prematurely and the troops would step off into water over their heads. A risk you had to take.

Both my father and father-in-law (both now deceased) were in the invasion of Normandy. My father was in the infantry and later was assigned as an officer (Colonel) to the invasion of Rome.

My father-in-law was a tank driver and was one of the first tanks up to the top of the beachhead. They drove right over a German machine gun nest and didn't stop until their group of tanks was 1/2 mile inland. Their group of tanks ( I think he said they had 8 left) literally "circled the wagons" and kept firing in all directions until they heard and saw their own troops coming inland.

My father-in-law didn't go see Saving Private Ryan. He simply said, "I WAS there. I don't care to see something like that ever again."
Anyone for a Weenie Roast?
Zero2Cool
15 years ago
I'm always fascinated by this stuff. I've always loved History. My thought would be why not have a heavy air strike suppressing the gunfire though? I have trouble thinking they said 'jus go in there brute force' knowing all those casualties that would ensue.

I'm guessing that maybe there was a airstrike or some kind of distraction tactic that failed.
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Zero2Cool
15 years ago

Those "ships" are LST's or LSD's. Land Ship Tank/Troops or Landing Ship Dock. They are facing forward. The raced up to shore and when a rudder on the bottom hit sand, the front of the ship would drop down and the troops or tanks would pour out. Sometimes the front would drop prematurely and the troops would step off into water over their heads. A risk you had to take.

Both my father and father-in-law (both now deceased) were in the invasion of Normandy. My father was in the infantry and later was assigned as an officer (Colonel) to the invasion of Rome.

My father-in-law was a tank driver and was one of the first tanks up to the top of the beachhead. They drove right over a German machine gun nest and didn't stop until their group of tanks was 1/2 mile inland. Their group of tanks ( I think he said they had 8 left) literally "circled the wagons" and kept firing in all directions until they heard and saw their own troops coming inland.

My father-in-law didn't go see Saving Private Ryan. He simply said, "I WAS there. I don't care to see something like that ever again."

"MontanaBob" wrote:



This might sound odd, but I'd be thrilled if you could share any stories your relatives told you of.
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MontanaBob
15 years ago
Zero.....the US Army led Hitler and the Nazis to believe an invasion was going to take place in southern France. They "leaked" out messages indicating so, and most of Hitler's elite troops were headed there when the actual invasion happened at Normandy and other beaches.

After my father was assigned to Italy, he was in special services, which did everything from procuring entertainment for the troops to going out in the field and identifying fallen troops, both enemy and their own. One time he was out alone in a small Italian village (after troops had moved on) tagging bodies when he heard and saw a women standing near her bombed house sobbing in Italian and pointing to the collapsed home. As he went near the home a German soldier appeared from some trees. They looked at each other and the German officer walked over and put his rifle down and my Dad did the same. The German soldier figured out that the women's little baby was still in the ruined home.

Both my Dad and this German soldier started unpiling debris and they found the little girl safe in her crib. A dresser had been knocked over and covered the crib and kept other stuff from falling directly onto the crib and baby.

They took the baby to her mother who hugged both of them. My dad and the German soldier shook hands, went back and got their rifles and walked off without looking at each other.

My father always said he wanted to somehow find that German officer and thank him for helping..........and not shooting him.
Anyone for a Weenie Roast?
Dulak
15 years ago

Zero.....the US Army led Hitler and the Nazis to believe an invasion was going to take place in southern France. They "leaked" out messages indicating so, and most of Hitler's elite troops were headed there when the actual invasion happened at Normandy and other beaches.

After my father was assigned to Italy, he was in special services, which did everything from procuring entertainment for the troops to going out in the field and identifying fallen troops, both enemy and their own. One time he was out alone in a small Italian village (after troops had moved on) tagging bodies when he heard and saw a women standing near her bombed house sobbing in Italian and pointing to the collapsed home. As he went near the home a German soldier appeared from some trees. They looked at each other and the German officer walked over and put his rifle down and my Dad did the same. The German soldier figured out that the women's little baby was still in the ruined home.

Both my Dad and this German soldier started unpiling debris and they found the little girl safe in her crib. A dresser had been knocked over and covered the crib and kept other stuff from falling directly onto the crib and baby.

They took the baby to her mother who hugged both of them. My dad and the German soldier shook hands, went back and got their rifles and walked off without looking at each other.

My father always said he wanted to somehow find that German officer and thank him for helping..........and not shooting him.

"MontanaBob" wrote:



Wow ... +1 for sharing that story MB
Rockmolder
15 years ago

Zero.....the US Army led Hitler and the Nazis to believe an invasion was going to take place in southern France. They "leaked" out messages indicating so, and most of Hitler's elite troops were headed there when the actual invasion happened at Normandy and other beaches.

After my father was assigned to Italy, he was in special services, which did everything from procuring entertainment for the troops to going out in the field and identifying fallen troops, both enemy and their own. One time he was out alone in a small Italian village (after troops had moved on) tagging bodies when he heard and saw a women standing near her bombed house sobbing in Italian and pointing to the collapsed home. As he went near the home a German soldier appeared from some trees. They looked at each other and the German officer walked over and put his rifle down and my Dad did the same. The German soldier figured out that the women's little baby was still in the ruined home.

Both my Dad and this German soldier started unpiling debris and they found the little girl safe in her crib. A dresser had been knocked over and covered the crib and kept other stuff from falling directly onto the crib and baby.

They took the baby to her mother who hugged both of them. My dad and the German soldier shook hands, went back and got their rifles and walked off without looking at each other.

My father always said he wanted to somehow find that German officer and thank him for helping..........and not shooting him.

"MontanaBob" wrote:



That is a pretty awesome story, Bob. Sounds vaguely familiar, but you're full of good stories, so it might've been another one. +1.
Formo
15 years ago
Great thread.

My grandfather was in WWII, bu not involved with Normandy or even Europe (well, of the teeny tiny bit he has shared).. instead his platoon/company was on the Aleutian Islands defending against the Japs (as he still 'affectionately' calls them today). Basically, on the one particular island he was on, his troop had to bring supplies from one side to the other.. The island was basically one big hill, and the individual soldiers had a choice to make.. Load up on ammo/supplies for their comrades on the other side of the hill that were fighting and leave their own guns at 'base', or carry what they could while also bringing their own weapons for defense. The thing was.. they didn't know how the fighting on the other side of the island was going.. If they left their own guns at base and got to the top of the hill and it was all Axis fighters.. they were sitting ducks.

That's all I know of from my Grandpa. He doesn't talk about it at ALL, and the one time he DID start opening up about it, his wife (NOT my grandmother.. she passed away in '92) is a selfish b*&^% and changed the subject to something she wanted to talk about.
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