101st Airborne Division was activated in August 1942 in Louisiana, and its first combat mission was Operation Overlord. On D-Day-June 6, 1944-101st and 82nd Airborne dropped onto the Cotentin peninsula hours before the landings, tasked with capturing bridges and positions, taking out German strongpoints and batteries, and securing the exits from Utah and Omaha Beaches. Things did not initially go smoothly for 101st Airborne, with cloud and antiaircraft fire disrupting the drops resulting in some units landing scattered over a large area outside their designated drop zones and having to waste time assembling-stymied by lost or damaged radio equipment-or trying to achieve their objectives with severely reduced numbers. Casualties were high in some areas due to heavy pre-registered German fire. Nevertheless, the paratroopers fought on and they did manage to secure the crucial beach exits, even if they only achieved a tenuous hold on some other positions. A few days later, 101st Airborne were tasked with attacking the German-held city of Carentan as part of the consolidation of the US beachheads and establishment of a defensive line against the anticipated German counteroffensive. The 101st forced their way into Carentan on 10 and 11 June. The Germans withdrew the following day, and a counteroffensive was put down by elements of the 2nd Armored Division. This fully illustrated book details the planning of the airborne element of D-Day, and the execution of the plans until the troops were withdrawn to prepare for the next big airborne operation, Market Garden.

About the Author
Yves Buffetaut is a French historian, owner of Ysec Editions and Editor of two military magazines, Tranchees, about WW1 and Batailles, on WW2. He has written more than 100 books on both

Reviews
These twin books by the same author are high-quality...with excellent photographs and an endowment of full-colour pictures of typical equipment. * Miniature Wargames - Chris Jarvis *
If you're interested in the 101st Airborne, and in particularly their actions in Normandy this is a must read. Highly Recommended. * Britmodeller.com *
This is a well told story and supported by photos, maps, fine artwork that the modellers among us will enjoy along with other bit of supporting information. Great too see this English language edition and well worth reading. * Military Model Scene *
Always good to read a detailed account of one division's contribution to Operation Overlord. The detail is exceptional and fascinating. * Books Monthly *
I happen to really like what Histoire & Collections and other publishers across the Channel have been doing and welcome the opportunity to see their books in English, especially when they cover French subjects. * War History Online *
A fine compilation of text, photos, artwork and maps, I thoroughly recommend this book to the enthusiast, modeller and armchair historian. * Scale Military Modelling International Magazine *
This is is a condensed "Band of Brothers" with profiles of Richard Winters and Easy company as well as the German and American Generals . The descripion of the battles such as Carentan are as clear as you need them to be. I would suggest this series of books Men, Battles, Weapons would be the ideal starting place for sixth formers taking history of WW2 to start whilst still providing interest to the older reader. I am so pleased to have been able to review it." - 5 stars. * Army Rumour Service *



Book Information
ISBN 9781612005232
Author Yves Buffetaut
Format Paperback
Page Count 128
Imprint Casemate Publishers
Publisher Casemate Publishers