jimhanson 
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Jun. 01 2004,2:30 pm |
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I saw that last night, too. Interesting program, hit all of the well-known historical highlights (Pattons deceptive army, weather concerns, etc.), but gave short shrift to the German E-boat (PT boat) attacks on the practice landings on the English coast--or the fact that so many troops were lost in the "live fire" practice landings.
It was interesting to see Sellecks portrayal of Eisenhower--very decisive, very fair--something nearly all biographers say about him. It was also interesting to see the portrayal of Montgomery--very vain and egocentric. The scene where IKE and Churchill listed the problems with all of the other general's becoming the Supreme Commander mirrored each person's faults. Finally, I thought the portrayal of IKE as a chain smoker (there was hardly a time when he wasn't lighting up) went a little over the top--even though most people smoked in those days, I thought it was done to a fault. Overall, it was very entertaining. For a great site, with maps, animation, and background on D-day, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/world/2004/d-day/default.stm
In all of the books I've read about D-day, the number of troops dropped prior to the landings is very vague. The 13,000 airborne troops, plus the glider troops were all I could find. Twice, on the show last night, they referrenced "30,000 airborne troops"--with up to 70% possible casualties. I wonder where they got that figure.
There were two divisions--the 101st and 82nd. At that time, a division was made up of 6,500 to 8,000 troops (depending on type of division--some needed more support staff). I would guess that an Airborne division, with fewer support troops (cooks, rear echelon groups, etc.), and no armor or artillery attached, would be in the neighborhood of 6,500--or about 13,000, what my numbers showed. Where did they get the 30,000 figure? Has anybody else seen a different figure?
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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