AS for his qualities as a Col, then many of his comtempories considered him one of the best My uncle had more Brass show at his funeral than Hackworth had and he was a Sgt. Same type of political awards as Kerry. More of a who he knew rather than what he did.
Yes, I agree. This was a big factor and it goes right back to the command structure. Army Group B had a degree of tactical control of 21st Panzer, but panzer forces as a whole came under Panzer Group West, which was directly under OKW control, which is why they needed authority to be released. And with Hitler asleep, Keitel would not make this decision. Not only that, but the commander of Panzer Group West disagreed with the idea of forward deployment in favour of a more "classical" panzer battle inland. There's another perspective to this. I have seen several arguments that this delay was actually serendipitous as the delay meant Panzer Lehr only lost 1/2 its strength before it reached the Allies. The tactical air was so heavy in the first half day of fighting (for this reason) that if they had left 12 hours earlier that they may have lost 100%. With the 12 hour delay the patrol sorties were lighter as the day progressed, and finding that the Germans didn't want to advance and were searching other areas for targets of opportunity. Hitler's nap may have saved them for a month until IX TAC took them out in COBRA. This delay benefit was argued on both 12 SS and Panzer Lehr. I have also heard the contrary argument that the later in the day the clouds cover had lifted. But, I personally think that since this was not mentioned by General Weyland, at the low altitude that fighter/bomber operate they would probably have been “scud-running” (flying below the clouds with minimal clearance). Scud running is dangerous as you can run out of visibility but I think I would have taken the chance for a shot at the armor that stood to destroy the invasion and I am sure those guys would too. I have a book I have just gotten (but not read) by General Quesada and OVERLORD operations which will tell the tale of the tape since the jugs in that territory belonged to IX rather than XIX.
There's another perspective to this. I have seen several arguments that this delay was actually serendipitous as the delay meant Panzer Lehr only lost 1/2 its strength before it reached the Allies. Nevermind the fact that the Panzer Lehr staff records never showed any hint of such horrendous losses in such a short span of time. Truth is the Pz-Lehr didnt even lose more than half its strenght during the whole month of June 1944.
My uncle had more Brass show at his funeral than Hackworth had and he was a Sgt. Same type of political awards as Kerry. More of a who he knew rather than what he did. getting off topic i know but i can't let that stand unchallenged, you can't so easily slur such a succesful and astonishingly highly decorated career that ran from ww2 through to Vietnam, the 'limited brass' at the man's funeral would surely be largely explained by his high profile 'About face' that signified the end of his military career..
Same type of political awards as Kerry. More of a who he knew rather than what he did. Hackworths awards and decorations Distinguished Service Cross (with one Oak Leaf Cluster) Silver Star (with nine Oak Leaf Clusters) Legion of Merit (with three Oak Leaf Clusters) Distinguished Flying Cross Bronze Star Medal (with "V" Device & seven Oak Leaf Clusters)(Seven of the awards for heroism) Purple Heart (with seven Oak Leaf Clusters) Air Medal (with "V" Device & Numeral 34)(One for heroism and 33 for aerial achievement) Army Commendation Medal (w/ "V" Device & 3 Oak Leaf Clusters) Good Conduct Medal World War II Victory Medal Army of Occupation Medal (with Germany and Japan Clasps) National Defense Service Medal (with one Bronze Service Star) Korean Service Medal (with Service Stars for eight campaigns) Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Vietnam Service Medal (2 Silver Service Stars = 10 campaigns) Armed Forces Reserve Medal Unit Awards: Presidential Unit Citation Valorous Unit Award (with one Oak Leaf Cluster) Meritorious Unit Commendation Badges & Tabs: Combat Infantryman Badge (w/ one Star; representing 2 awards) Master Parachutist Badge Army General Staff Identification Badge Foreign Awards: United Nations Service Medal (Korea) Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (with two Gold Stars) Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (with two Silver Stars) Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal (1st Class) Vietnam Staff Service Medal (1st Class) Vietnam Army Distinguished Service Order, 2d Class Vietnam Parachutist Badge (Master Level) Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation (with three Palm oak leaf clusters) Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation (with one Palm oak leaf cluster) World War II Merchant Marine Awards: Pacific War Zone Bar Victory Medal Note: As per a Department of the Army audit conducted by COL Pam Mitchell, Chief Personnel ServiceSupport Division on May 6 1999. Furthermore, as pointed out, Hackworths stance against the Vietnam War did not go down well with his former bosses. Also, his work for the average solider was also not appericated by the pentegon
The Germans did a pitiful job of preparing for the anticipated allied invasion. They should have planted way more obstacles to get in the allies' way. They should have planted 100s of millions of land mines.
The Germans did a pitiful job of preparing for the anticipated allied invasion. They should have planted way more obstacles to get in the allies' way. They should have planted 100s of millions of land mines. This was the plan. Rommel just ran out of time. He claimed had he have gotten the last underwater defense line in that the Allies would have never gotten to shore. I don't know what that means but he was very certain of it as he was lamenting it. Also he had ordered millions of old artillery shells that were to be wired to sticks that would trigger them when gliders hit them. The sticks were set up but they never got to wire the shell up to them. He said that the many of the gliders did hit the sticks and they would have worked well but since they were not wired up it did very little damage to the gliders.
The Germans did a pitiful job of preparing for the anticipated allied invasion. They should have planted way more obstacles to get in the allies' way. They should have planted 100s of millions of land mines. A good idea. However firstly you have to actually have that many mines. If you do, they take time to lay and the obstacles take time to construct. The story doesn't stop there though. The obstacles have to be maintained, but the more mines you lay the more difficult that is. Now you may think that you just leave clear pathways to the obstacles marked on a map and the job's a good 'un. Again, it's not that simple. Mines don't just sit where you put them. There's a thing known as "Mine Migration". This is where due to weather or erosion mines move and it's a very big problem on sea washed shores, sand dunes and steep slopes. So although it may seem like a very simple answer, more mines and obstacles may have worked as a short term solution, but the costal defences were a long term problem and had to be maintained as such.
One wonders what the invasion would have been like if it had happened in May instead. The tides and weather ruled out launching the invasion in may.
The tides and weather ruled out launching the invasion in may. One wonders what an invasion would have been like in July, when the germans would have been better ready.
One wonders what an invasion would have been like in July, when the germans would have been better ready. Again, the tides and sea conditions would have made it very difficult. However, it would have allowed the Allied Air force more time to attack german targets in the invasion area.
Just dragging this thread back to the top of the list to encourage people to read sappers posts about the landing from the beginning onwards, absolutely fascinating... obviously it descends into a shouting match halfway through (using the 'ignore' function on one poster makes it hilarious) but if you haven't read it then make bloody sure you do. Not only a personal account but from an obvious Gentleman too. Cheers!
(using the 'ignore' function on one poster makes it hilarious) Please do tell.... which one do we 'ignore' to get the funny version?^_^
I'm sure a man of your perspicacity knows exactly who. Obviously as Gentlemen we wouldn't name names. It's funny how carrying a huge red button that says 'PRESS ME' encourages people to just push and see what happens.
I've always enjoyed that game. The sign says End of the World Button, but do i care? do i chuff. But thanks you to Sapper for giving a first hand account of D-Day. I have heard some stories from a RN sailor who piloted an American landing craft at Omaha, and he's very cool and calm when telling it, as he ran through all of his fear that day. Just glad i wasn't there.
I've always enjoyed that game. The sign says End of the World Button, but do i care? do i chuff. But thanks you to Sapper for giving a first hand account of D-Day. I have heard some stories from a RN sailor who piloted an American landing craft at Omaha, and he's very cool and calm when telling it, as he ran through all of his fear that day. Just glad i wasn't there. Neither was Sapper. He landed on Sword Beach, not Omaha.
Neither was Sapper. He landed on Sword Beach, not Omaha. And where did you land? Or have you fought in any conflict then or since? What makes you the expert? Books? I find it pathetic that 'armchair' heros should belittle the opinions of the veterans who paid for their views with their blood, sweat and tears and that of the comerades. Their experiences are a little more valid than those of someone who's only experience of the war are films, books and the internet don't you think? It is strange that someone who shows no respect for the ideas of historians also shows none for the people who were part of the operation and pushes their inexperienced views as more valid than either.
And where did you land? Or have you fought in any conflict then or since? What makes you the expert? Books? I find it pathetic that 'armchair' heros should belittle the opinions of the veterans who paid for their views with their blood, sweat and tears and that of the comerades. Their experiences are a little more valid than those of someone who's only experience of the war are films, books and the internet don't you think? It is strange that someone who shows no respect for the ideas of historians also shows none for the people who were part of the operation and pushes their inexperienced views as more valid than either. That wasn't a belittling. The statement that was made was that it was eye-witness account. It was not. Sword and Omaha were two signficantly different types of beaches. I would think you would have known that. Sapper and I had the same "armchair hero" experience of Omaha beach. But, I have one perspective that sapper may not have. I am not trying to defend the Sword beach reputation. You act as if he, being a veteran of that war, is incapable of "putting on the dog" about Sword vs Omaha. Just because you were at one of them does not mean you are not biased and prideful of your own. I don't denegrate sapper. But I don't deify him either.
