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In reply to the discussion: 75 years ago my 20 year old dad was dropped in Normandy [View all]MaryMagdaline
(6,853 posts)In answer to my question:
"British units landed at GOLD Beach. Americans landed at Omaha and Utah Beaches. Dad jumped with the 507 Parachute Infantry Regiment as part of the 82nd Airborne Division.* The 82nd and 101st Airborne were the 2 American Airborne Divisions at Normandy. Dad landed behind I think Utah Beach in the Contentin Peninsula.** Their objective was the West Bank of the Merderet River. The river was purposefully dammed to flood all of the lowlands and channel troops up the road."
So, you are correct. I am taking out reference to Omaha Beach.
I was thinking all these years that they dropped my father short of land since he was still in the water, but the flooding of the lowlands makes more sense.
* I think actually, my dad's group was scooped up into 82nd Airborne AFTER the loss of men on D-Day. They flew with 82nd on June 6, but I don't think they were officially part of 82nd on D-Day. He finished with 82nd Airborne. They (whoever was left of his unit) served in the Bulge and Operation Market Garden and at least one other no-name battle.
**Aristus is correct.