The pathfinders were dropped first, under heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire. The pilots of the aircraft, who were already disorientated with the wind and low cloud, came in too low and too fast. Out of 120 pathfinders only 38 were put down on target.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower gives the order of the Day. "Full victory-nothing else" to aratroopers in England, just before they board their airplanes to participate in the first assault in the invasion of the continent of Europe.
(NWDNS-111-SC-194399)
The men of the 101st. were very critical of the aircraft pilots. After some being dropped up to 20 miles off target it is understandable! The first wave arrived over their drop zones at 1:30 a.m. Not one single aircraft carrying the 502nd. Parachute Infantry put them down on their intended drop zone, which was the two northern exits from Utah Beach.
One of the regiments three battalions was so badly scattered, it played no part in the day's fighting. At least two sticks of men landed on the town of Ste-Mere-Eglise and were slaughtered by the Germans. Under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel John Michaelis the remaining troops collected themselves together and after several firefights secured the two northern exits from Utah.
The 506th. Parachute Infantry who were designated the securing of the two southern exit points from Utah were scattered all over the place with only nine aircraft putting their men down on the correct location. The aircraft came in very low and the paratroops were jumping at 300 ft. no sooner had the chute opened and they were on the ground. Many men broke limbs, some didn't survive the jump. A lot of men landed in the swamp areas flooded by the Germans, the sheer weight of their equipment dragged them down beneath the muddy water. Major-General Maxwell Taylor, the divisional commander, could only muster 85 men of all ranks but knowing the importance of their mission, proceeded to there objective, the villages covering the southern exit roads of Utah beach. They successfully secured these positions.
The final drop zone at the southern most point was a success as far as the accuracy was concerned, but unfortunately the Germans were waiting for them and the two battalions took tremendous casualties. The third battalion 501st. Parachute Infantry landed almost intact, and along with the survivors of the first two battalions managed to secure their objective, the lock at La Barquette over the River Douve.
At 4:00 a.m. the first of the glider borne troops started to arrive. This again was not without incident, only 6 out of the first 52 landed on the correct zone. Many men were killed on landing. Throughout the day gliders landed and the men quickly got up to divisional strength, and successfully secured the Utah exit roads.
The men of the 101st Airborne achieved a tremendous success on D-Day, considering the total disposition they found themselves in. They were put at a terrible disadvantage on landing in Normandy, but the training and determination of these brave men ensured that they would not fail to complete their mission and complete it they did.
The price was high with 182 known killed, 537 wounded and 1240 men missing, most were never found.
Additional Sources:
www.6june44.freeserve.co.uk
www.archives.gov
www.army.mil
www.101airborneww2.com
history.acusd.edu
www.cs.umb.edu
aztec.asu.edu
www2.physics.umd.edu/~yskim/home
