The day before D-Day invasion of Normandy by Allies during World War 2. A Coast Guard Lieutenant briefs Coast Guard crewmen and several officers and soldiers, on deck of a Landing Craft Infantry that will be taking part in the cross-channel invasion of France.
Loading of a U.S. LST (Landing Ship, Tank) at Polgwidden (A.K.A Trebah) beach , Helford River, near Falmouth, Cornwall, England during World War 2. (From the superstructure visible this is probably LST 532, USS Chase County.) A jeep pulls a trailer aboard the LST. Two jeeps on the elevator of the LST as it rises to upper deck. The upper deck of the LST shows a truck backing up on a ramp. (Note:This footage was taken on June 1, 1944, as the troops and equipment embarked for the D-Day invasion of Normandy. They spent the next 5 days very uncomfortably aboard due to stormy weather that delayed the landings until June 6th.)
Loading of USS Burnett County (LST-512) at Polgwidden (a.k.a. Trebah) beach, Helford River, near Falmouth, England during World War 2. View from top deck of the LST, as vehicles drive up a ramp and into positions on the deck. An M3 half track pulls up a trailer on the ramp of the LST. View from antiaircraft gun emplacement overlooking embarkation point. A sailor aboard the LST signals. Army vehicles are seen moving down a road and assembling at the embarkation wharf. (Note: Although these troops and equipment embarked on June 1, 1944, they remained aboard 5 days as foul weather delayed the actual D-Day landings until June 6, 1944)
U.S. Army troop reinforcements arriving at Omaha Beachhead and moving inland, during invasion of Normandy, France, in World War 2, in the days immediately following D-Day. (They are moving along a gradual rise overlooking the beach, that appears to be near Colleville Sur Mer, coordinates WN-62.) U.S. LST-281 discharging cargo of Army vehicles, including trucks and halftracks. A DUKW amphibious vehicle driving out of the surf. Sherman M4 tanks with deep wading kits; one named, "Goldie." Troops unload supplies from a beached Rhino Barge. More landing craft approaching the beach. Coast Guardsmen manning antiaircraft guns. Barrage balloons aloft. Antiaircraft guns firing, at night,from the beachhead, at German bombers, overhead.
American soldiers of a Field Artillery Battalion in the 92nd Infantry Division (Colored), "Buffalo Soldiers," are seen at their 8-inch howitzer emplacement, among trees near Mantes-Gassicourt, France during World War 2. Their M4 high speed tractor is parked nearby and two soldiers unload 8-inch shells from it. One hands them to the other who uses his feet to roll them off the back of the tractor where they fall to the ground, which is covered in straw grass cuttings. Other soldiers roll the heavy shells away. Next, gun crew members are seen relaxing around their gun, which is hard to see against the foliage behind. The crew commander, an Army Captain, is seated on the ground reviewing documents, while a young soldier digs into the turf with a long-handled shovel. A number of 8-inch shells is arrayed on the ground. Closeup of the soldier digging with the shovel. View of other gun crew members relaxing, including some playing cards. Closeup of some card players. (Note: This gun crew is likely from the 795th or the 999th Field Artillery Battalion)
United States Army Field Artillery Battalion of 92nd Infantry Division (Colored), "Buffalo Soldiers," equipped with tractor-drawn 8-inch Howitzers, in Mantes-Gassicourt, France during World War 2. African American soldiers of fire control group observe town below, from vantage point on overlooking hill. One of them looks through a periscopic binocular telescope. Others look through ordinary binoculars. Closeup of a Master Sergeant looking through binoculars. Camera pans across the valley, town, and agricultural fields below. Camera focuses briefly on Collegiate Church of Our Lady of Mantes (Notre Dame de Mantes) in Mantes-la-Jolie and then shifts to battery of 8 inch howitzers firing from camouflaged positions in foliage. Gun crews step away as each howitzer fires, and then rush back to reload and fire again. (Note: These batteries are likely from the 795th or the 999th Field Artillery Battalion)
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