User:Jim Sweeney/Sandbox

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[edit] time d day

6 June 1944

00.05 Allied air forces bomb German defences between Le Havre and Cherbourg.

00.10 British 6th Airborne Division parachutes in north of Caen to secure bridges over Orne River. Lieutenant Poole first Allied soldier to set foot on French soil. German radar jammed along whole French coast.

00.16 Paras seize eastern flank of Sword Beach area, including Pegasus Bridge. Within 15 minutes Major John Howard sets up command post and sends message "Ham and Jam" - code for success.

01.00 US 82nd Airborne Division parachutes in west of Saint-Mère Eglise.

01.15 Main body of US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions start landing by parachute and glider behind Utah Beach and begin capturing exits.

01.37 French resistance goes into action against 1,050 sabotage targets.

01.50 Rest of British 6th Airborne Division parachutes in east of Orne river.

02.45 Troops for Omaha Beach board landing craft in very rough seas.

03.50 British paratroops start attacking village of Ranville.

04.00 Field Marshal von Runstedt in Paris orders two Panzer divisions toward Caen, but order delayed until Hitler can confirm. He is not woken for fear of annoying him and it is late afternoon when he sends message to Paris.

04.30 British Paras attack German long-range guns at Merville Battery east of Sword landings. Knocked out 15 minutes later, but only 80 of battalion of 600 survive. Sainte-Mère Eglise captured by US 82nd Airborne Division.

05.20 Bombers drop first bombs on German targets.

05.35 German shore batteries open fire; Allied naval forces, now massed along entire Normandy coast, begin bombardment.

05.37 E-boats attack Allied destroyers.

06.30 Assault on beaches starts.

- US 4th Infantry Division begins landing on Utah Beach. Objective: to capture Cotentin Peninsula and port of Cherbourg. Limited defences, quick progress.

- On Omaha, only gap in 100ft-high cliffs between Utah and Gold Beaches, the 116th and 16th US Infantry, 2nd and 5th Ranger Battalions try to land. First waves all but wiped out by continuous, heavy, raking machine gun fire. Terrible carnage amid formidable obstacles. Objective: to connect US troops at Utah with British and Canadian beaches to east.

- Royal Engineers and 50th (Northumbrian) Division land on Gold. Objective: to capture Bayeux and Caen-Bayeux road, enabling Allies to use east-west roads and link with US troops from Omaha. Three beach exits cleared within an hour.

- Landing on Sword, easternmost beach, led by British 8th Infantry Brigade Group. Objective: to advance towards Caen; link with Paras and glider-borne troops.

- 3rd Canadian Division landing on Juno made more difficult by strong current. Delay allows Germans to mount strong defence. Objective: advance inland and join troops from British beaches.

07.00 German radio broadcasts first report of landing.

07.05 Carnage continues on Omaha. US troops pinned down and face 200-yard sprint across open sand. Engineers cannot clear obstacles.

07.50 Nos 4 and 10 (Free French) Commando land on Sword. Heavy fighting, but within 45 minutes three beach exits cleared of enemy.

08.20 Follow-up battalions and 47 Commando land on Gold.

08.30 First armour landed at Omaha. Rangers and 116th Infantry from Omaha reach top of cliffs at Les Moulins and start clearing defences. Germans bring in reinforcements. Still chaos on beach, radios knocked out, machine-gun fire continuing. Col George Taylor of 16th Infantry tells men: "There are two kinds of people on this beach: the dead and those about to die. So let's get the hell out of here." And 48 Commando lands at St Aubin, Juno Beach and heads east. Beach clearance difficult due to high tides and rough seas.

09.00 General Eisenhower issues communiqué announcing start of invasion.

09.13 Omaha chaos goes on. General Bradley fears he may have to call off assault, summons reinforcements. But gradually, in next hours, troops make way up cliffs and knock out German positions, all under withering fire.

09.30 Casino at Riva Bella, used by Germans as strongpoint, liberated by Free French commandos. Hermanville taken by troops from Sword. But heavy German opposition and incoming tide on Sword hinders advance and congests beach; reserve brigades held up.

09.35 Canadian 8th Brigade liberates Bernières.

09.45 Utah Beach cleared of all defenders.

09.50 Fierce resistance at Le Hamel for troops breaking out of Gold Beach. Commandos make Port-en-Bessin to link with US forces. CSM Stan Hollis, 6th Green Howards, wins VC at Crépon. US 18th Infantry goes ashore at Omaha as naval bombardment brought down on Omaha defences.

10.00 Six battalions landed on Utah. La Madeleine strongpoint captured. Troops from congested Omaha Beach begin advance on Vierville and St Laurent. Within an hour Vierville captured.

10.45 Reserve battalions coming ashore on Utah. 101st and 4th divisions link up, securing first exit from beach.

10.50 Reserve brigades start landing on Gold; seven beach exits secured.

11.12 After fierce fire fight, 7th Brigade secures Juno exit at Courseulles. But congestion as Canadian 9th Brigade arrives.

11.20 Canadians capture Tailleville, Banville and St Croix.

12.00 As Winston Churchill reports landings to House of Commons, German defences on Omaha breached in four places. US troops start advance inland, but beach still under heavy fire. Further landings on Juno. Langrune captured by Juno troops.

13.00 Pouppeville captured by troops from Utah; who now link up with airborne forces. US troops advance on Beuzeville au Plain and Les Forges. Troops at Omaha begin securing beach; 30 minutes later begin moving inland.

13.30 1st Special Service Brigade Commandos link with 6th Airborne Division at Pegasus Bridge.

13.35 German 352nd Division wrongly advises HQ that Allied assault repulsed. Message not corrected until 18.00.

14.00 Eight hours after landings began on Omaha, first beach exit is cleared. An hour or so later, first tanks and vehicles gradually begin to move off beach.

14.15 All Canadian 3rd Division now ashore on Juno. Rapid advances start: troops link with those from Gold.

14.30 21st Panzer Division starts counter-attack towards coast. Half an hour later 12th SS Panzer Division groups south of Caen.

16.00 Le Hamel finally captured by troops from Gold. 231st Brigade moves on to Arromanches. First armour starts to move off Omaha.

16.05 9th Brigade moves inland from Sword. 185th Brigade beats off attack by German 21st Panzers at Periers Ridge. British advance pauses.

18.00 3rd Canadian Div, North Nova Scotia Highlanders reach three miles inland. 1st Hussar tanks cross Caen-Bayeux railway, 10 miles inland. Canadian Scottish link with 50th Division at Creully.

20.00 US troops from Omaha capture St Laurent and Colleville. Canadians from Juno Beach reach Villons les Buissons, seven miles inland. Bénouville captured by troops from Sword. German counter-attack as 21st Panzers reach coast between Sword and Juno at Luc-sur-Mer.

20.30 56th and 151st Brigades from Gold now at outskirts of Bayeux and Caen-Bayeux road. Half an hour later they capture Arromanches.

21.00 Main party 6th Airlanding Brigade arrive

22.00 Rommel returns to HQ from Germany. Montgomery sails for France.

At the end of the longest day

Gold Beach: 25,000 troops landed, with fewer than 1,000 casualties. Bridgehead established, six miles wide and deep, linking with Canadians at Juno.

Juno Beach: 21,400 troops landed, with fewer than 1,000 casualties. Aim of capturing Carpiquet airfield not achieved. No link yet with Sword forces.

Omaha: 34,250 troops landed, with 2,000 casualties. Three men won Congressional Medal of Honor. Beach littered with bodies, but an insecure beachhead won. US troops cover an area five miles wide.

Sword: 29,000 troops landed, with fewer than 1,000 casualties. Troops reach six miles inland.

Utah: 23,250 troops ashore, fewer than 200 casualties. US airborne divisions suffered 2,499 casualties. Troopsfour miles inland

[edit] The Armoured Divisions

A total of three British, one Canadian and one Polish armoured divisions were used in Normandy in the British sector. These were the British 7th, 11th and Guards, the 4th Canadian and the 1st Polish Armoured Divisions.

[edit] 7th Armoured Division

The 7th “Desert Rats” Armoured Division, as featured in Villers-Bocage , first arrived in Normandy on towards the end of D-Day (6 June). It’s first combat was a day later with 22 Armoured Brigade supporting the 50th Division at Tilly-sur-Seulles. Combat continued in the area against the German Panzer Lehr Division the next day. Their next operation was Perch which would lead to the ill-fated clash with the Panzer Lehr and 101. Schwere SS-Panzerabteilung at Village-Bocage. During July they take part in Operations Goodwood and Bluecoat. Further below par performances led to the dismissal and replacement of their commander.

Operations in July and August saw an improvement in the division's performance. The armoured element of the division consisted of the 22 Armoured Brigade with:

1st Royal Tank Regiment 5th Royal Tank Regiment 4th Country of London Yeomanry 1st Battalion, The Rifle Brigade (Motor Battalion)

They were the only British division to be completely equipped with Cromwell tanks, though the 17 pdr tanks were Firefly VC tanks. Its Armoured Recce Regiment was the 8th Royal Irish Hussars.

[edit] 11th Armoured Division

The 11th Armoured Division was un-blooded before Normandy. It’s first battles were during Operation Epsom where it became bogged down against stiff German resistance. By Operation Goodwood the fresh division had learnt from its earlier mistakes and make a good account of themselves against 1. SS-Panzerdivision troops. During Operation Bluecoat it fought well, though the 1st Northants Yeomanry took such heavy loses it had to be disbanded at the end of the campaign.

The armoured component of the 11th Armoured Division consisted of the 29th Armoured Brigade:

23rd Hussars (Sherman V & Firefly VC) 3rd Royal Tank Regiment (Sherman V & Firefly VC) 2nd Fife and Forfar Yeomanry (Sherman V & Firefly VC) 8th Rifle Brigade (Motor Battalion)

Its Armoured Recce Regiment was the 2nd Northants Yeomanry (Cromwells).

[edit] Guards Armoured Division

The Guards Armoured Division was formed on 17 June 1941. The division remained in the United Kingdom training until 26 June 1944, when it landed in Normandy as part of VIII Corps. Its first major engagement was Operation Goodwood. The attack by three armoured divisions towards Bourguebus Ridge was an attempt to break out of the Normandy beachhead and get beyond the city of Caen. That was followed by Operation Bluecoat, the advance east of Caen as the Falaise pocket formed.

The armoured element of the Guards Armoured Division consisted of the 5 Guards Armoured Brigade:

2nd Armoured Battalion Grenadier Guards (Sherman V & Firefly VC) 1st Armoured Battalion Coldstream Guards (Sherman V & Firefly VC) 2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards (Sherman V & Firefly VC) 1st Motor Battalion Grenadier Guards

Its Armoured Recce Regiment was the 2nd Armoured Recce Battalion Welsh Guards (Cromwells).

[edit] 1st Polish Armoured Division

The Polish 1st Armoured Division (Polish 1 Dywizja Pancerna) formed in February 1942 at Duns in Scotland. It was commanded by General Stanislaw Maczek. During its early stages the division was stationed in Scotland and guarded approximately 200 kilometres of British coast.

By the end of July 1944 the division had been transferred to Normandy. The final elements arrived on 1 August and the unit was attached to the First Canadian Army. It entered combat on 8 August during Operation Totalize. Despite being bomb by their own allies the division performed excellently against the Germans, gaining victories at Mont Ormel, Hill 262 and the town of Chambois, during the battle against the Falaise Pocket.

Maczek's Polish armour played a crucial role in closing the pocket at the escape route. The fighting was desperate and the 2nd Polish Armoured, 24th Polish Lancers and 10th Dragoons supported by the 8th and 9th Infantry Battalions took the brunt of German attacks trying to break free from the pocket. Surrounded and running out of ammunition they withstood incessant attacks from multiple fleeing panzer divisions for 48 hours until relieved.

The armoured element of the 1st Polish Armoured Division consisted of the 10th Armoured Cavalry Barigade:

1st Polish Armoured Regiment (Sherman V & Firefly VC) 2nd Polish Armoured Regiment (Sherman V & Firefly VC) 24th Polish Lancer Regiment (Sherman V & Firefly VC) 10th Dragoon Regiment (Motor Battalion)

Later in the year replacements included 76mm armed Shermans, some of the few of that type of tank to be used by British formed units.

Its Armoured Recce Regiment was the 10th Polish Mounted Rifle Regiment (Cromwells).

[edit] 4th Canadian Armoured Division

The 4th Canadian Armoured Division was created with the conversion of 4th Canadian Infantry Division at the beginning of 1942 in Canada. The division was shipped to Britain in 1942 and arrived in August and October.

The next two years were spent training before crossing to Normandy in July 1944. It participated in the battle of the Falaise pocket, the advance from Normandy, and spent almost two months engaged at the Breskens pocket.

The armoured element of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division consisted of the 4th Canadian Armoured Brigade:

21st Canadian Armoured Regiment (Governor General's Foot Guards) (Sherman V & Firefly VC) 22nd Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Canadian Grenadier Guards) (Sherman V & Firefly VC) 28th Canadian Armoured Regiment (The British Columbia Regiment) (Sherman V & Firefly VC) The Lake Superior Regiment (Motor Battalion)

Its Armoured Recce Regiment was the 29th Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment (The South Alberta Regiment). Unlike the other Armoured Divisions the 4th Canadians' Armoured Reconnaissance troops were armed with Sherman V tanks rather then Cromwells.

[edit] Independent Armoured Brigades

[edit] 4 Armoured Brigade

The first tanks for the Brigade landed in Normandy on 7 June 1944 and almost immediately took part in the action to take the Douvres Radar Station. They supported many actions by British Infantry Divisions and the 11th Armoured Division, including the crossing the River Odon (during Operation Epsom), fighting its way out of Normandy via the Odon Bridgehead, Hill 112, Operation Bluecoat, and finally helped in closing the Falaise Pocket.

The Brigade consisted of:

Royal Scots Greys (Sherman II & Firefly VC) 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sherman II & Firefly VC) 44th Battalion Royal Tank Regiment (Sherman II & Firefly VC) 2nd Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps (Motor Battalion)

[edit] 8 Armoured Brigade

On D-Day, 6 June 1944, the brigade landed on Gold Beach near Arromanches and le Hamel, providing support for the 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The Brigade served with the 49th (West Riding) Division fighting with distinction in the battles around Rauray in late June.

The Brigade consisted of:

4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards (A Sq. Sherman III & Firefly VC, B & C Sq. Sherman II DD)

24th Lancers (replaced at the end of July by 13th/18th Hussars) (Sherman III & Firefly VC) Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers) (A Sq. Sherman III & Firefly VC, B & C Sq. Sherman II DD) 12th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps (Motor Battalion)

[edit] 27 Armoured Brigade

The brigade landed at Sword Beach as part of XXX Corps and fought in the Caen area until disbanded on 30 July 1944. They supported the British Commandos’ breakout from the Normandy Landings. Later supported the British Paratroopers at Breville.

The Brigade consisted of:

13th/18th Hussars (Transferred to 8 Armoured Brigade 30 July) (Initially Sherman II DD, later Sherman III & Firefly VC) Staffordshire Yeomanry (Sherman III & Firefly VC) East Riding Yeomanry (Sherman III & Firefly VC)

[edit] 33 Armoured Brigade

Their first battle in Normandy was around Caen between 4 and 18 July. On 8th August 1944 it was involved in Operation Totalize, a planned breakout from the Caen Salient. Heavy German counter-attacks prevented exploitation of the early successes and tank losses were heavy.

The Brigade consisted of:

1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry (Sherman I & Firefly VC) 144th Battalion Royal Armoured Corps (Sherman I & Firefly VC) 148th Battalion Royal Armoured Corps (Sherman I & Firefly VC)

[edit] 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade

The brigade's three regiments landed in Normandy on D-Day. Their role was to support any infantry who were in need of armour support, therefore the Brigade rarely fought as one entity. One of the occasions when the Brigade did undertake an operation on its own was at Le Mesnil-Patry/Rots on 11 June 1944. The battle ended with only partial success and severe losses to the Canadians.

The Brigade consisted of:

6th Armoured Regiment (1st Hussars) (A & B Sq. Sherman V DD, C Sq. Sherman III & Firefly VC) 10th Armoured Regiment (The Fort Garry Horse) (A & B Sq. Sherman V DD, C Sq. Sherman III & Firefly VC) 27th Armoured Regiment (The Sherbrooke Fusiliers Regiment) (Sherman III & Firefly VC)

[edit] 1st Czech Armoured Brigade

The Czechs arrived in Europe in late September '44 and relieved the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division in the siege positions around Dunkirk. This is where they stayed until April '45, being involved in numerous skirmishes and the odd assault. In April '45, they were sent to the US 3rd Army, which was advancing into Czechslovakia. US troops liberated Pilsen 6 May 1945. For more details see 1st Czech Armoured Brigade…

The Brigade consisted of:

1st (Czech) Armoured Regiment (Cromwells) 2nd (Czech) Armoured Regiment (Cromwells)

3rd (Czech) Armoured Regiment (added late 1944) (Churchills) Motor Battalion Armoured Reconnaissance Squadron (Stuart VI, Humber Scout cars & Cromwells) Anti-tank Battery (towed 17pdr) Engineer Troop Anti-aircraft Troop (40mm Bofors) Field Artillery Regiment (towed 25 pdrs)