You are searching about How Many Years Ago Was D Day, today we will share with you article about How Many Years Ago Was D Day was compiled and edited by our team from many sources on the internet. Hope this article on the topic How Many Years Ago Was D Day is useful to you.

Utah Beach – The German Perspective

Utah Beach, following the 1944 invasion, is somewhat neglected due to the appalling losses suffered at Omaha Beach. Even more overlooked is the German involvement in the battle that took place on this part of the Normandy coast in June all those years ago.

The German strongpoints defending this portion of the Atlantic Wall were not exactly impregnable; contrary to the description given by Axis propaganda. Many bunkers were actually not occupied by German soldiers. The German Wehrmacht was extremely stretched during this period of the war and Hitler had recourse to soldiers from Russia, Georgia and other Eastern European countries. Although he was fiercely opposed to any race other than the Germans fighting for the Third Reich, it soon became apparent that his hands were tied. With around 5,000 km of the Atlantic Wall to cover, he had no choice but to use non-German soldiers.

The strong point on Utah Beach that would bear the brunt of the American assault on D-Day turned out to be WN5. WN being Weiderstandsnest in German. The translation of this in English is nest of resistance.

Prior to the D-Day assault, the commander of this resistance nest was Arthur Jahnke; a young officer in his twenties. Having experienced combat on the Eastern Front, he was a very good officer and despite his age, showed great courage during the battle of June 6th.

In the early hours of June 6, Jahnke received notification that there were reports of paratroopers falling behind the resistance nest position. Surprised by this news, he sent a patrol to see what was happening. To his amazement, upon their return, they bring back 19 American prisoners from the 101st Airborne. Jahnke began to wonder if this was the inevitable invasion; however, convinced by Rommel that the invasion would take place in good weather and at the shortest point between England and France, he could not help thinking that it was a diversionary attack.

Jahnke secured the 19 Americans in a bunker behind the coastal defences. Many paratroopers were injured, so the resistance nest doctor took care of them. The prisoners were alarmed to see that the doctor was carrying a handgun; contrary to the Geneva Convention. After protesting this breach, Jahnke ordered the doctor to “lose the barrel”. This action will later go in favor of Jahnke when he is taken prisoner by the Americans.

Once the invasion force arrived at the beach, now known as Utah Beach, it should be noted that despite the overwhelming odds, Jahnke and his force of around 75 soldiers, put up a fight as best they could. possible. Much to Jahnke’s dismay, nearly all of the equipment he had to repel the Allied assault was destroyed in the air and naval bombardments.

Resistance Nest 5 was taken with limited American casualties. This statistic would indicate that the German strength was inferior to that of the Americans. However, when the statistics are analyzed, it paints a slightly different picture. With a limited number of German troops and equipment at the beachhead, no reserve troops and no tank support, it was almost obvious that the Americans would prevail. With American Airbone soldiers landing behind enemy lines and cutting off vital supplies, Jahnke and his men would ultimately fight a losing battle; a battle that will last around 90 minutes but will go down in the history books as the beginning of the downfall of the Nazi regime.

Nearly 70 years after the D-Day invasion, Utah Beach still attracts thousands of visitors each year. Many bunkers that were built to repel the Allied invasion are still intact and are now a tourist attraction. Arthur Jahnke and his troops manning these bunkers would probably never have believed that their bunkers would be visited by tourists from all over the world all these years later.

Video about How Many Years Ago Was D Day

You can see more content about How Many Years Ago Was D Day on our youtube channel: Click Here

Question about How Many Years Ago Was D Day

If you have any questions about How Many Years Ago Was D Day, please let us know, all your questions or suggestions will help us improve in the following articles!

The article How Many Years Ago Was D Day was compiled by me and my team from many sources. If you find the article How Many Years Ago Was D Day helpful to you, please support the team Like or Share!

Rate Articles How Many Years Ago Was D Day

Rate: 4-5 stars
Ratings: 9199
Views: 63935261

Search keywords How Many Years Ago Was D Day

How Many Years Ago Was D Day
way How Many Years Ago Was D Day
tutorial How Many Years Ago Was D Day
How Many Years Ago Was D Day free
#Utah #Beach #German #Perspective

Source: https://ezinearticles.com/?Utah-Beach—The-German-Perspective&id=7389703