D-Day objectives

[army]

D-Day objectives





Posted by Michael A. Dorosh from Canada on June 14, 1999 at 14:22:56:


In Reply to: Re: link posted by a soldier on June 13, 1999 at 20:40:24:



Just off the cuff, I think some Canadian units did reach their D-Day objectives but were forced to retire by evening. None of the troops on the other beaches were able to do the same thing. Rohmer‘s book "Patton‘s Gap" deals with a lot of the things he alludes to including his own part in Rommel‘s demise - again, it‘s been a long time since I read the book, but I think that is accurate.

 

[army]

Re: D-Day objectives





Posted by Soldier Grrrl from Canada on June 14, 1999 at 19:03:19:


In Reply to: D-Day objectives posted by Michael A. Dorosh on June 14, 1999 at 14:22:56:



Actually, a Canadian unit was the only allied unit to reach its assigned objective on D-Day.

The objective was the east - west rail line which runs through Caen. A troop of tanks from the First Hussars a Canadian Armoured unit made it to the rail line, but on popping out of their hatches, realized that there was no one else with them. They had to turn about and go back to "friendlier" areas. Their unique situation resulted in a great little war story, and bragging rights for the First Hussars and all Canadian soldiers.

S.G.

 

[army]

Re: D-Day objectives





Posted by Brad Sallows from Burnaby BC Canada on June 14, 1999 at 19:18:58:


In Reply to: Re: D-Day objectives posted by Soldier Grrrl on June 14, 1999 at 19:03:19:



Only a Canadian unit? That would come as a surprise to the assault
force at Pegasus Bridge, not to mention the unit designated as the
link-up force. Besides, I think the objective was to do more than
simply sight-see, so the unit in question did not in fact attain
that objective.

 

[army]

Re: D-Day objectives





Posted by Brad Sallows from Burnaby BC Canada on June 14, 1999 at 19:28:04:


In Reply to: Re: D-Day objectives posted by Soldier Grrrl on June 14, 1999 at 19:03:19:



Forgive me I just noted that the discussion was only concerned
with units that "reached" their objectives, not units that
"achieved" their objectives. Perhaps a better way to express
the feat if one can call it that, since the D-Day landings
were a crap shoot as to who met resistance and who met none
is as a measure of which beach-landed formations managed to push
elements to or beyond their furthest planned phase/report line.

 

[army]

Re: D-Day objectives





Posted by Soldier Grrrl from Canada on June 16, 1999 at 19:23:55:


In Reply to: Re: D-Day objectives posted by Brad Sallows on June 14, 1999 at 19:18:58:



Oh. I misunderstood. I posted my answer making a bunch of assumptions without thinking too deeply about it. I was only considering the forces which assaulted the beaches, and their farthest objective - basically where they wanted the forward line to be by the end of the day. In that case - under achieved and held them, I think the answer is none.

Of course most of the parachute units met their objectives, probably most famously on the Caen Canal Bridge now famously known as Pegasus Bridge. Many of the assaulting units met their objectives such as destroying particular gun emplacements, etc. which were intermediate to the goal for the forward line by the end of the day.

What was the "link up force". It doesn‘t ring a bell with me.

Interesting discussion.

S.G.

 

[army]

Re: D-Day objectives





Posted by Martin Schenkel from Canada on June 17, 1999 at 00:08:56:


In Reply to: Re: D-Day objectives posted by Soldier Grrrl on June 14, 1999 at 19:03:19:



I have also heard that elements of the QOR reached their objectives.

Regards,

Martin