Operations, 101st Airborne Division - Special Forces in World War 2

Operations

North West Europe

June 6th, 1944 –

101st Airborne Division

The division’s mission is to secure key areas around Utah Beach, including capturing strategic towns, road junctions, and causeways to support the seaborne landings and disrupt German defences.

The division is dropped into Normandy in the early hours of June 6^th, 1944, as part of the first wave of airborne assaults. Their specific objectives include securing four causeways leading inland from Utah Beach, capturing the town of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, and controlling key road junctions and bridges in the area to prevent German reinforcements from reaching the beachhead.

Due to heavy anti-aircraft fire and poor weather conditions, many of the paratroopers are scattered across a wide area, making it difficult to regroup and achieve their objectives. Despite these challenges, the 101^st Airborne Division quickly forms ad-hoc units and begins to move toward their targets.By the morning of June 6^th, 1944, elements of the 101^st Airborne Division have successfully secured the causeways from Utah Beach, which are crucial for allowing the seaborne forces to move inland. This achievement plays a vital role in ensuring the rapid advance of Allied forces from the beaches. The division also captures Sainte-Marie-du-Mont on June 6^th, 1944, which helps to secure the southern flank of the beachhead.

After their initial airborne assault on D-Day, the 101^st Airborne Division begins maneuvering on June 8^th, 1944, to envelop the town of Saint-Côme-du-Mont, a key position held by the German Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6 (FJR6). By June 9^th, 1944, the division successfully pushes back the German forces and consolidates its lines, setting the stage for further advances.

VII Corps assigns the 101^st Airborne Division the critical task of capturing the town of Carentan, a vital objective needed to link the Utah and Omaha Beach landing areas and secure a continuous Allied front. On June 10^th, 1944, the 502^nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) experiences intense combat as it advances along the causeway leading to Carentan, facing determined German resistance. The following day, June 11^th, 1944, the 502^nd attacks the town, supported by the 327^th Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR), which approaches from the east.

On June 12^th, 1944, the 506^th Parachute Infantry Regiment passes through the exhausted 502^nd Parachute Infantry Regiment and launches a final assault into Carentan, successfully defeating the German rear guard left behind during their withdrawal. The capture of Carentan is a significant achievement, securing a crucial link between the landing zones and allowing the Allied forces to establish a more robust front line in Normandy.

However, on June 13^th, 1944, the 101^st Airborne Division faces a fierce counterattack from German reinforcements, including elements of the 17^th SS-Panzergrenadier Division, specifically SS-Panzergrenadier-Regiment 37 (SS-PGR 37), supported by assault guns, tanks, and infantry. The Germans launch a coordinated attack on the 101^st‘s positions southwest of Carentan, pushing back the left flank of the U.S. line in a morning-long battle. The situation is critical until Combat Command A of the 2^nd Armored Division arrives to repel the German assault, stabilising the front.

Following this intense engagement, the 101^st Airborne Division is reassigned to the newly arrived U.S. VIII Corps on June 15^th, 1944, where they assume a defensive role. After several weeks of continuous combat, the division is withdrawn from the front lines and returns to England for rest and rehabilitation.

September 17^th, 1944 – September 25^th, 1944

Operation Market Garden

101st Airborne Division

The 101st Airborne Division is assigned several key objectives during Operation Market Garden, which begins on September 17^th, 1944. Their mission is to capture and secure a series of bridges and roadways between Eindhoven and Nijmegen, forming the southern part of the “Hell’s Highway” corridor that Allied forces need to advance into the Netherlands and eventually into Germany.

On September 17^th, 1944 the division is dropped in the vicinity of Eindhoven, Son, and Veghel. They quickly move to secure the bridges in these areas, which are crucial for the operation’s success. However, the bridge at Son is destroyed by the Germans just as the 101st Airborne Division arrives, forcing the division to organise a temporary crossing. Engineers work rapidly to build a replacement bridge, allowing the advance to continue.

Throughout the operation, the 101^st Airborne Division faces continuous German counterattacks aimed at cutting off the vital supply route along Hell’s Highway. From September 18^th, 1944 to September 26^th, 1944, the division is engaged in fierce battles to defend this corridor, particularly around the towns of Veghel and Son, where the Germans repeatedly attempt to sever the Allied supply line.

Despite these challenges, the 101^st Airborne Division successfully holds most of their positions, ensuring that the road remains open for the duration of the operation. Their efforts are crucial in maintaining the flow of reinforcements and supplies, even though the broader objectives of Operation Market Garden are not fully achieved.

December 17^th, 1944 – January 1945

Unternehmen Greif, Battle of the Bulge, Unternehmen Greif Einheit Stielau, Unternehmen Stosser

101^st Airborne Division

During the Battle of the Bulge, the 101^st Airborne Division is urgently deployed to Belgium on December 17^th, 1944 in response to the surprise German Ardennes Offensive. The division is tasked with defending the strategic town of Bastogne, a crucial crossroads that the Germans aim to capture to disrupt Allied supply lines and communications. Upon arrival, the 101^st Airborne Division, under the temporary command of Brigadier General Anthony C. McAuliffe, swiftly establishes a defensive perimeter around the town.

From December 19^th, 1944, the division becomes heavily engaged in intense fighting as German forces encircle Bastogne. Despite being cut off and surrounded, the 101^st Airborne Divisionholds its ground resolutely. On 22 December, when the Germans demand the division’s surrender, McAuliffe famously replies with a single word: “Nuts!” This defiant response boosts the morale of the troops and strengthens their resolve to defend Bastogne at all costs.

Throughout the siege, the 101^st Airborne Divisionendures relentless attacks and severe winter conditions, including freezing temperatures and snow, which further challenge their defence. The division faces critical shortages of food, medical supplies, and ammunition, but they continue to repel repeated German assaults, maintaining their defensive positions.

Relief arrives on December 26^th, 1944, when the 4^th Armored Division, part of General George S. Patton’s Third Army, breaks through the German lines and reaches Bastogne, lifting the siege. However, the fighting in the area persists as the 101^st Airborne Divisionand supporting units continue to fend off further German attempts to retake the town.

By January 1945, the 101^st Airborne Division’s steadfast defence of Bastogne proves crucial in halting the German advance and shifting the momentum in the Allies’ favour during the Battle of the Bulge.