1
00:00:01,377 --> 00:00:02,211
(gunfire)
2
00:00:02,336 --> 00:00:05,590
NARRATOR: Not long after D-Day,
the farmhouse headquarters of an
3
00:00:05,590 --> 00:00:09,635
American Airborne battalion
comes under heavy counterattack
4
00:00:09,635 --> 00:00:11,721
from German
Fallschirmjäger units.
5
00:00:11,721 --> 00:00:12,847
(rapid gunfire)
6
00:00:12,847 --> 00:00:17,060
When the Artillery Liaison Officer
tries to summon the U.S. guns
7
00:00:17,060 --> 00:00:19,270
he needs to
drive back them back,
8
00:00:19,270 --> 00:00:22,690
he discovers the
Germans have jammed his radio.
9
00:00:23,983 --> 00:00:26,986
On June 6th, 1944.
10
00:00:26,986 --> 00:00:30,990
Allied forces finally
land troops in Normandy
11
00:00:30,990 --> 00:00:33,201
to open the western front.
12
00:00:33,993 --> 00:00:35,787
(speaking in native language)
13
00:00:35,787 --> 00:00:38,456
NARRATOR: But Nazi
fanatics and diehards
14
00:00:38,456 --> 00:00:41,292
continue to fight
ferociously for survival.
15
00:00:46,756 --> 00:00:48,966
D-Day was a battle.
16
00:00:50,760 --> 00:00:53,387
They still need to win the war.
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00:01:00,311 --> 00:01:04,273
(rapid gunfire)
18
00:01:06,484 --> 00:01:09,112
NARRATOR: June 7th, 1944.
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00:01:09,112 --> 00:01:10,279
Normandy, France.
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00:01:10,279 --> 00:01:15,368
(rapid gunfire)
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00:01:16,702 --> 00:01:20,373
Gunfire punctuates the
streets of Vierville-Sur-Mer,
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00:01:20,373 --> 00:01:23,835
a small town, on the
bluff above Omaha Beach.
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00:01:25,586 --> 00:01:26,963
As American and German soldiers
24
00:01:26,963 --> 00:01:28,840
fight for control.
25
00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:32,051
Not only of the shore,
but for access to a highway
26
00:01:32,051 --> 00:01:34,887
that leads all the way to Paris.
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00:01:37,056 --> 00:01:39,183
The Germans must
contain the American troops to
28
00:01:39,183 --> 00:01:42,895
their small foothold
after the D-Day landings,
29
00:01:42,895 --> 00:01:44,438
the day before.
30
00:01:50,444 --> 00:01:55,366
(rapid gunfire)
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00:02:00,037 --> 00:02:01,455
(explosion)
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00:02:10,673 --> 00:02:14,594
NARRATOR: In the house-to-house fighting,
a patrol of combat engineers
33
00:02:14,594 --> 00:02:19,974
finds a dead American officer with a
briefcase chained to his wrist.
34
00:02:26,939 --> 00:02:29,233
It contains documents.
35
00:02:29,233 --> 00:02:32,570
PETER: When the German officer reviews
the content of the briefcase,
36
00:02:32,570 --> 00:02:37,700
{\an8}he quickly understands this is
something extremely important.
37
00:02:37,700 --> 00:02:40,453
It shows parts of
the Allied plans,
38
00:02:40,453 --> 00:02:44,248
and he knows this is
part of a bigger invasion.
39
00:02:47,043 --> 00:02:49,921
NARRATOR: He holds the
operational plans for all of
40
00:02:49,921 --> 00:02:51,839
the American five corps.
41
00:02:56,886 --> 00:03:01,474
24 hours earlier, the allies
stormed the beaches of Normandy.
42
00:03:03,976 --> 00:03:08,397
They fight desperately to secure their
beachheads and move inland.
43
00:03:09,982 --> 00:03:13,819
The Germans on the coast see the
massive scale of the landings,
44
00:03:18,241 --> 00:03:20,993
but Hitler is
not fully convinced.
45
00:03:22,787 --> 00:03:26,874
PETER: There is concern in the Führer HQ
that the Normandy landings
46
00:03:26,874 --> 00:03:29,835
are not the large invasion,
47
00:03:29,835 --> 00:03:33,839
that there might be another
invasion coming in the area of
48
00:03:33,839 --> 00:03:36,175
Calais further up in the north.
49
00:03:37,218 --> 00:03:40,596
NARRATOR: But the contents of
the briefcase are undeniable,
50
00:03:40,596 --> 00:03:43,266
this is the main attack.
51
00:03:45,810 --> 00:03:49,355
PETER: The German intelligence officers
quickly understand that this
52
00:03:49,355 --> 00:03:51,107
is a Godsent present.
53
00:03:51,107 --> 00:03:55,069
They have got now the
allied plans for D-Day plus 17.
54
00:03:55,569 --> 00:03:59,323
So, this would allow
them to shift their plans,
55
00:03:59,323 --> 00:04:02,159
in order to
hinder an U.S. advance.
56
00:04:05,496 --> 00:04:08,582
NARRATOR: Their advance
relies on consolidating
57
00:04:08,582 --> 00:04:11,168
the Utah and Omaha beachheads.
58
00:04:11,168 --> 00:04:14,630
To achieve this, the
Americans must seize Carentan.
59
00:04:14,630 --> 00:04:17,133
Located inland
from the landings,
60
00:04:17,133 --> 00:04:19,844
Carentan has
the bridges, highways,
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00:04:19,844 --> 00:04:23,222
and railroads to
facilitate the push of tanks
62
00:04:23,222 --> 00:04:25,558
and men further into France.
63
00:04:25,558 --> 00:04:30,021
Because of its obvious strategic value,
well before the landings,
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00:04:30,021 --> 00:04:34,650
the Germans flooded an area to the
northwest to protect the town.
65
00:04:40,156 --> 00:04:41,741
Based on the captured documents,
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00:04:42,199 --> 00:04:46,454
German command sends the elite
sixth Fallschirmjäger Regiment
67
00:04:46,454 --> 00:04:48,873
to the defense of Carentan.
68
00:04:48,873 --> 00:04:50,374
PETER:
Sixth Fallschirmjäger Regiment
69
00:04:50,374 --> 00:04:53,753
is the only regiment of the
division that is combat ready.
70
00:04:53,753 --> 00:04:56,922
It is well trained, well led.
71
00:04:56,922 --> 00:04:59,759
Has got many
veterans in its ranks,
72
00:04:59,759 --> 00:05:02,219
and is considered a
very reliable force.
73
00:05:02,928 --> 00:05:05,681
NARRATOR: A key strength
comes from the top leadership.
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00:05:05,681 --> 00:05:07,183
PETER: Friedrich Von der Heydte
75
00:05:07,183 --> 00:05:10,895
is a, an officer with a
distinguished military career.
76
00:05:10,895 --> 00:05:13,397
Initially, he
was quite Pro-Nazi,
77
00:05:13,397 --> 00:05:17,443
but became much more skeptical in the
years before the Normandy battle.
78
00:05:17,443 --> 00:05:21,238
But still, he is a officer
who has got an honor and
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00:05:21,238 --> 00:05:24,241
he's also ordered to hold
Carentan to the last man.
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00:05:25,576 --> 00:05:28,204
NARRATOR: In preparation
for the American attack,
81
00:05:28,204 --> 00:05:32,416
he quickly entrenches his
paratroopers in a defensive line
82
00:05:32,416 --> 00:05:36,253
on the outskirts, to target
the likely avenues of approach.
83
00:05:38,589 --> 00:05:43,302
Von der Heydte is assisted by the
flooded fields to the northwest,
84
00:05:43,302 --> 00:05:46,806
which force attackers
to a long causeway linked by
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00:05:46,806 --> 00:05:50,101
a series of four bridges.
86
00:05:50,101 --> 00:05:54,271
Advancing from that direction,
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Cole,
87
00:05:54,271 --> 00:05:56,273
Commander Third Battalion,
88
00:05:56,273 --> 00:05:59,693
American 502nd
Parachute Infantry Regiment
89
00:05:59,693 --> 00:06:02,363
comes under
immediate attack as he leads
90
00:06:02,363 --> 00:06:06,575
his airborne troops
toward Carentan on June 10th.
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00:06:07,451 --> 00:06:09,370
JOHN:
Robert Cole came from Texas.
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00:06:09,370 --> 00:06:10,955
He was a, um, graduate of the
United States
93
00:06:10,955 --> 00:06:14,375
Military Academy at
West Point class of 1939.
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00:06:14,375 --> 00:06:16,919
{\an8}He's a pretty young man in 1944.
95
00:06:16,919 --> 00:06:20,381
{\an8}He's in his late 20’s, and
he's in command of a battalion.
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00:06:20,381 --> 00:06:24,427
And so, it's an incredible amount of
responsibility on a young guy.
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00:06:26,762 --> 00:06:28,848
NARRATOR: Cole discovers
that retreating Germans
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00:06:28,848 --> 00:06:31,892
destroyed the second bridge.
99
00:06:33,060 --> 00:06:36,689
And the American combat engineers
assigned to replace it,
100
00:06:36,689 --> 00:06:39,400
were driven off by
German artillery before
101
00:06:39,400 --> 00:06:42,278
they could begin construction.
102
00:06:42,278 --> 00:06:46,824
Angered by the delay, Cole
grabs a few men and supplies,
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00:06:46,824 --> 00:06:50,077
and begins work on a
make-shift foot bridge himself.
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00:06:50,077 --> 00:06:53,414
JOHN: He spends the better part of
two to three hours doing that
105
00:06:53,414 --> 00:06:55,833
more or less himself
with this small group.
106
00:06:55,833 --> 00:06:58,669
And so, you, you kind of
see this kind of can-do,
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00:06:58,669 --> 00:07:03,215
hands-on leadership
element to, to Cole as well.
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00:07:03,632 --> 00:07:06,093
But I also think that that comes from
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00:07:06,093 --> 00:07:08,637
being a kind of a young
battalion commander,
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00:07:08,637 --> 00:07:10,681
the kind of
dynamism of youth that,
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00:07:10,681 --> 00:07:12,266
that Cole has.
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00:07:17,188 --> 00:07:18,939
(explosion)
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00:07:18,939 --> 00:07:21,442
COLE: One at time! Come down!
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00:07:21,442 --> 00:07:23,319
Go! Go!
115
00:07:23,319 --> 00:07:26,197
(rapid gunfire)
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00:07:26,197 --> 00:07:29,783
NARRATOR: The paratroopers
begin to cross one by one,
117
00:07:29,783 --> 00:07:33,162
targeted by
German guns in the distance.
118
00:07:33,162 --> 00:07:36,957
Including an
‘88 firing down the road.
119
00:07:36,957 --> 00:07:43,881
(rapid gunfire)
120
00:08:02,441 --> 00:08:04,818
NARRATOR: The flooded fields
on both sides mean
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00:08:04,818 --> 00:08:08,531
the airborne troops
must stay on the road.
122
00:08:12,034 --> 00:08:13,661
{\an8}They continue their advance,
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00:08:13,661 --> 00:08:15,788
{\an8}and past bridge three.
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00:08:17,498 --> 00:08:18,874
{\an8}Across the Madeleine River,
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00:08:18,874 --> 00:08:21,335
{\an8}Cole’s men come under fire
126
00:08:21,335 --> 00:08:22,711
from the opposite bank.
127
00:08:22,711 --> 00:08:25,965
Unable to pass
through a Belgian Gate.
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00:08:27,716 --> 00:08:30,553
{\an8}STEVEN: The Belgian Gate was a type
of defensive obstacle that
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00:08:30,553 --> 00:08:34,014
{\an8}was built in the 1930’s to
defend the Belgian Frontier,
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00:08:34,390 --> 00:08:36,559
{\an8}and it's a large metal structure
131
00:08:36,559 --> 00:08:38,727
{\an8}about the size
of a big barn door.
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00:08:38,727 --> 00:08:40,729
They would have all
been linked together
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00:08:40,729 --> 00:08:42,940
{\an8}to form a gigantic wall.
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00:08:42,940 --> 00:08:45,693
{\an8}They were captured
by the Germans in 1940,
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00:08:45,693 --> 00:08:48,904
{\an8}and then they were used in the
defense of the Normandy coast.
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00:08:48,904 --> 00:08:52,283
{\an8}They were oftentimes broken up
into single obstacles and used
137
00:08:52,283 --> 00:08:55,744
{\an8}to block road networks or walls
or other type of obstructions.
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00:08:58,622 --> 00:09:03,085
NARRATOR: The Belgian Gate causes Cole’s
paratroopers to bunch up,
139
00:09:03,085 --> 00:09:05,879
and makes them vulnerable
to well sighted artillery.
140
00:09:05,879 --> 00:09:11,760
(rapid gunfire)
141
00:09:18,642 --> 00:09:22,062
As they pry the metal apart,
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00:09:22,062 --> 00:09:24,982
bullets ricochet
in all directions.
143
00:09:26,859 --> 00:09:29,695
Eventually they create a gap.
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00:09:32,364 --> 00:09:36,452
JOHN: If you can imagine, a, a
battalion of 700-some odd guys
145
00:09:36,452 --> 00:09:38,954
working their way
through this Belgian Gate,
146
00:09:38,954 --> 00:09:43,042
one by one, man by man,
individual by individual,
147
00:09:43,042 --> 00:09:44,752
doing this.
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00:09:48,631 --> 00:09:51,842
NARRATOR: It will take
hours for them to cross over.
149
00:09:53,802 --> 00:09:56,013
With a damaged
bridge behind them,
150
00:09:56,013 --> 00:09:58,557
Cole must keep his
men moving forward.
151
00:10:00,351 --> 00:10:02,603
Retreat is not an option.
152
00:10:06,482 --> 00:10:08,525
(rapid gunfire)
153
00:10:08,525 --> 00:10:09,985
NARRATOR: Lieutenant
Colonel Robert Cole,
154
00:10:09,985 --> 00:10:12,446
moves from soldier
to soldier to prompt
155
00:10:12,446 --> 00:10:17,159
the Third Battalion of the 502nd
Parachute Infantry Regiment to
156
00:10:17,159 --> 00:10:20,704
provide covering fire for
their advancing comrades.
157
00:10:20,704 --> 00:10:23,957
{\an8}They have gotten
themselves into what a
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00:10:23,957 --> 00:10:26,293
{\an8}later generation
will call a fatal funnel,
159
00:10:26,293 --> 00:10:29,046
along that causeway,
through the Belgian Gates,
160
00:10:29,046 --> 00:10:31,340
where you tend to have clumps
of people trying to negotiate
161
00:10:31,340 --> 00:10:32,925
their way through.
162
00:10:37,680 --> 00:10:40,724
NARRATOR: Under his direction,
the American paratroopers target
163
00:10:40,724 --> 00:10:45,229
the hedgerows on the far bank with
small arms and bazooka fire.
164
00:10:45,604 --> 00:10:48,774
(rapid gunfire)
165
00:10:48,774 --> 00:10:50,275
(explosion)
166
00:10:50,693 --> 00:10:52,903
But it is not enough.
167
00:10:52,903 --> 00:10:57,408
The artillery liaison officer,
Captain Saint Julien Rosemond,
168
00:10:57,408 --> 00:11:01,161
calls in artillery from the
rear to provide additional cover
169
00:11:01,161 --> 00:11:03,038
to the men of the battalion.
170
00:11:03,038 --> 00:11:08,877
(rapid gunfire)
171
00:11:11,505 --> 00:11:13,465
Move! Move!
172
00:11:17,594 --> 00:11:20,973
(rapid gunfire)
173
00:11:21,306 --> 00:11:24,351
NARRATOR: As darkness falls,
paratroopers continue to file
174
00:11:24,351 --> 00:11:28,105
one-at-a-time through
the gap at the Belgian Gate.
175
00:11:34,486 --> 00:11:38,115
(rapid gunfire)
176
00:11:38,115 --> 00:11:40,993
Suddenly, another
German machine gun opens up,
177
00:11:40,993 --> 00:11:43,787
from the swamp
beside the causeway.
178
00:11:44,079 --> 00:11:45,581
(rapid gunfire)
179
00:11:45,581 --> 00:11:49,168
The crossfire
poses a lethal threat.
180
00:11:50,711 --> 00:11:53,964
Private Hans Brandt wades
into the water to take out
181
00:11:53,964 --> 00:11:56,258
the machine gun with a grenade.
182
00:11:56,675 --> 00:12:00,137
Another paratrooper
follows close on his heels.
183
00:12:00,137 --> 00:12:02,806
But as Brandt
steps into the marsh,
184
00:12:02,806 --> 00:12:06,268
a German dive bomber
skims above the causeway.
185
00:12:13,275 --> 00:12:18,155
(explosions)
186
00:12:20,574 --> 00:12:23,702
NARRATOR: One of the bombs dropped
by the German aircraft knocks
187
00:12:23,702 --> 00:12:26,246
the U.S. Private unconscious.
188
00:12:27,247 --> 00:12:30,542
{\an8}The Luftwaffe tried to attack
allied forces on the Normandy beaches,
189
00:12:30,542 --> 00:12:33,337
{\an8}but they were usually
fought off by allied fighters,
190
00:12:33,337 --> 00:12:36,507
{\an8}so it was very unusual
for American soldiers to be
191
00:12:36,507 --> 00:12:38,425
strafed by
Luftwaffe fighters during
192
00:12:38,425 --> 00:12:41,136
the first few days of
the Normandy campaign.
193
00:12:41,428 --> 00:12:43,388
(distant gunfire)
194
00:12:43,388 --> 00:12:46,934
NARRATOR: As Brandt comes to,
a second German plane continues
195
00:12:46,934 --> 00:12:49,812
the attack along the causeway.
196
00:12:58,862 --> 00:13:02,157
NARRATOR: He discovers that his
partner who remains unconscious,
197
00:13:02,157 --> 00:13:03,909
has slipped into the water.
198
00:13:03,909 --> 00:13:07,996
Brandt picks him up and carries
him back for medical care.
199
00:13:13,418 --> 00:13:17,840
The aftermath, leaves the dead and injured
strewn across the causeway.
200
00:13:20,259 --> 00:13:23,887
The short attack kills or
injures 30 paratroopers from,
201
00:13:23,887 --> 00:13:25,681
I company.
202
00:13:28,225 --> 00:13:29,059
JOHN: To me, the,
203
00:13:29,059 --> 00:13:31,562
the only miracle is that
it really wasn't even worse.
204
00:13:31,562 --> 00:13:34,106
Uh, and I think the
reason it wasn't is that
205
00:13:34,106 --> 00:13:36,024
the Germans
didn't have more planes.
206
00:13:37,943 --> 00:13:41,113
NARRATOR: The walking wounded
become stretcher bearers.
207
00:13:41,113 --> 00:13:43,448
JOHN: The real
fighting hasn't even begun yet,
208
00:13:43,448 --> 00:13:46,577
and yet he's
diminished 20 to 25%.
209
00:13:46,577 --> 00:13:48,036
So, that is definitely not
210
00:13:48,036 --> 00:13:50,873
an auspicious way
to go into battle.
211
00:13:57,546 --> 00:14:02,217
NARRATOR: Cole decides they must press on
with the three remaining companies.
212
00:14:04,386 --> 00:14:06,221
{\an8}Cole’s third battalion
has been tasked with
213
00:14:06,221 --> 00:14:08,807
{\an8}attacking the
French town of Carentan
214
00:14:08,807 --> 00:14:12,269
{\an8}with the goal of connecting the
beachheads at Utah and Omaha.
215
00:14:13,145 --> 00:14:15,939
{\an8}The battalion advances
along a narrow causeway,
216
00:14:15,939 --> 00:14:18,817
{\an8}passing one by one
through a Belgian Gate
217
00:14:18,817 --> 00:14:20,986
{\an8}which blocks bridge four.
218
00:14:20,986 --> 00:14:23,238
{\an8}Cole and some others investigate
219
00:14:23,238 --> 00:14:25,532
{\an8}the far side of
the Madeleine River.
220
00:14:36,460 --> 00:14:37,878
NARRATOR: In the early morning light,
221
00:14:37,878 --> 00:14:40,964
Private Albert Dieter
closes in on a hedgerow
222
00:14:40,964 --> 00:14:42,925
that borders a farm.
223
00:14:51,808 --> 00:14:52,643
(explosion)
224
00:14:53,060 --> 00:14:56,688
Without warning, German rifle,
machine gun and mortar fire land
225
00:14:56,688 --> 00:15:00,233
around Dieter and the
paratroopers who follow him.
226
00:15:00,233 --> 00:15:05,364
(rapid gunfire)
227
00:15:10,577 --> 00:15:13,872
NARRATOR: Dieter’s left arm is
shredded by the salvo.
228
00:15:14,665 --> 00:15:17,209
Others behind him,
are also struck.
229
00:15:23,507 --> 00:15:26,468
Cole calls for his
artillery liaison officer,
230
00:15:26,468 --> 00:15:29,805
Captain Saint Julien Rosemond,
to bring down artillery.
231
00:15:30,305 --> 00:15:35,268
(rapid gunfire)
232
00:15:39,106 --> 00:15:41,149
Eventually American artillery
233
00:15:41,149 --> 00:15:44,152
hammers the
suspected German positions.
234
00:15:49,866 --> 00:15:54,204
But enemy fire
remains fierce, if not heavier.
235
00:15:55,038 --> 00:15:56,164
PETER: The
Germans quickly understand that
236
00:15:56,164 --> 00:15:59,167
there's overwhelming
allied firepower.
237
00:15:59,167 --> 00:16:01,044
What is their reaction to that?
238
00:16:01,044 --> 00:16:04,798
{\an8}They just man the
first frontline very thinly,
239
00:16:04,798 --> 00:16:08,635
{\an8}so if the allies
bombard the German lines,
240
00:16:08,635 --> 00:16:11,013
casualties will
be relatively low.
241
00:16:11,888 --> 00:16:14,349
NARRATOR: This could mean,
the American artillery is
242
00:16:14,349 --> 00:16:16,268
hitting the wrong targets.
243
00:16:16,893 --> 00:16:20,647
The enemy fire is
coming from further back.
244
00:16:20,647 --> 00:16:23,567
With his men pinned,
Cole must decide.
245
00:16:23,567 --> 00:16:28,113
To continue to press forward,
or to retreat and regroup.
246
00:16:32,284 --> 00:16:33,869
(rapid gunfire)
247
00:16:33,869 --> 00:16:35,537
NARRATOR: Third
battalion commander,
248
00:16:35,537 --> 00:16:38,790
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Cole
knows they would only create
249
00:16:38,790 --> 00:16:43,420
another bottleneck at the Belgian Gate if
he decides to retreat.
250
00:16:43,420 --> 00:16:45,255
{\an8}JOHN: It's a cliché,
but he literally is between
251
00:16:45,255 --> 00:16:46,757
{\an8}a rock and a hard place.
252
00:16:46,757 --> 00:16:48,717
{\an8}Because if they
stay where they are,
253
00:16:48,717 --> 00:16:50,719
{\an8}they're of course vulnerable
along the, the causeway.
254
00:16:50,719 --> 00:16:53,722
And you've got significant opposition
ahead of you, but, uh,
255
00:16:53,722 --> 00:16:54,890
from Cole’s standpoint,
256
00:16:54,890 --> 00:16:57,142
there's no point to
just staying there.
257
00:16:57,142 --> 00:17:00,729
He's moved his battalion ahead
for this particular mission,
258
00:17:00,729 --> 00:17:03,523
so he feels there's
really none other option but
259
00:17:03,523 --> 00:17:04,691
to go ahead and attack.
260
00:17:06,818 --> 00:17:09,362
NARRATOR: Cole decides to
capture a farmhouse that has
261
00:17:09,362 --> 00:17:12,491
been the source of
heavy German fire.
262
00:17:12,491 --> 00:17:14,910
With his men
stretched out along the road,
263
00:17:14,910 --> 00:17:18,580
they will cross the
700-foot-long field under smoke.
264
00:17:20,832 --> 00:17:22,626
- Fix bayonets!
- MAN: Fix bayonets!
265
00:17:23,001 --> 00:17:25,212
NARRATOR: He tells his
executive officer to prepare
266
00:17:25,212 --> 00:17:27,589
the men for a bayonet charge.
267
00:17:39,768 --> 00:17:43,188
NARRATOR: The bayonet charge is
a classic combat tactic.
268
00:17:43,188 --> 00:17:45,190
STEVEN:
Bayonet is a military knife,
269
00:17:45,190 --> 00:17:47,567
{\an8}and typically, if
it's used in combat,
270
00:17:47,567 --> 00:17:49,236
{\an8}the bayonet would be
attached to the front end
271
00:17:49,236 --> 00:17:51,279
{\an8}of the soldier's rifle.
272
00:17:52,239 --> 00:17:56,368
NARRATOR: The goal is to plunge into
tissue to damage internal organs.
273
00:17:56,368 --> 00:17:59,496
But such brutality is
difficult for most people.
274
00:17:59,496 --> 00:18:02,290
STEVEN: Bayonet training is a
way of hardening civilians
275
00:18:02,290 --> 00:18:05,293
to get used to the idea
of killing enemy soldiers.
276
00:18:05,293 --> 00:18:08,630
It's one thing to shoot at
an enemy soldier with a rifle.
277
00:18:08,630 --> 00:18:11,925
It's another thing to attack
'em face to face with a knife.
278
00:18:12,759 --> 00:18:15,220
NARRATOR: In battle, the
order to fix bayonets almost
279
00:18:15,220 --> 00:18:17,889
always suggests desperation.
280
00:18:18,265 --> 00:18:20,308
It wasn't very
common for the U.S. Infantry
281
00:18:20,308 --> 00:18:23,520
to use the bayonet in
Normandy during World War II,
282
00:18:23,520 --> 00:18:26,314
but it was amongst elite units.
283
00:18:26,314 --> 00:18:30,026
Paratrooper units and Ranger units would
sometimes fix bayonets
284
00:18:30,026 --> 00:18:33,446
for an attack in order
to intimidate the enemy forces.
285
00:18:34,739 --> 00:18:38,535
NARRATOR: Cole also has his
artillery liaison call for smoke
286
00:18:38,535 --> 00:18:41,454
to be dropped to
conceal their advance.
287
00:18:44,708 --> 00:18:46,960
JOHN: Now, it's time for the
adrenaline to kick in of what
288
00:18:46,960 --> 00:18:49,713
the soldiers perceive
as the main attack.
289
00:18:49,713 --> 00:18:51,506
You're waiting to, to jump off,
290
00:18:51,506 --> 00:18:54,426
probably with that kind of
tinged mixture of excitement,
291
00:18:54,843 --> 00:18:57,596
and trepidation, and dread.
292
00:19:03,435 --> 00:19:05,729
NARRATOR: Satisfied
with the smoke screen,
293
00:19:05,729 --> 00:19:10,901
he instructs Rosemond to redirect
artillery fire past the farmhouse.
294
00:19:16,531 --> 00:19:20,243
Cole initiates the
bayonet charge with his whistle
295
00:19:20,243 --> 00:19:21,995
and wields his colt .45.
296
00:19:21,995 --> 00:19:23,038
Charge!
297
00:19:26,625 --> 00:19:29,669
NARRATOR: Halfway across,
he glances back.
298
00:19:29,669 --> 00:19:31,630
His heart sinks at what he sees.
299
00:19:33,006 --> 00:19:34,049
JOHN: From
Cole’s point of view, now,
300
00:19:34,049 --> 00:19:36,509
this is the moment to attack,
and he's got his pistol ready,
301
00:19:36,509 --> 00:19:37,802
and his bravado ready.
302
00:19:37,802 --> 00:19:39,679
And he figures the whole
battalion is going to be out
303
00:19:39,679 --> 00:19:42,849
there with him, and
it's only a few guys.
304
00:19:42,849 --> 00:19:46,603
NARRATOR: Most had not
heard the order to charge.
305
00:19:46,603 --> 00:19:49,105
JOHN: And it was like, "Did
they just go forward?
306
00:19:49,105 --> 00:19:51,691
Did they, what happened here?
Are we charging or are we not?
307
00:19:51,691 --> 00:19:52,609
What's happening?"
308
00:19:52,776 --> 00:19:54,903
And it all looked
kind of pathetic to them.
309
00:19:54,903 --> 00:19:58,281
NARRATOR: As German bullets
clip the grass around Cole,
310
00:19:58,281 --> 00:20:00,033
the message sinks in.
311
00:20:00,033 --> 00:20:01,826
JOHN: "Oh, I guess
we're supposed to follow him."
312
00:20:01,826 --> 00:20:04,621
And it's like, "All right, I guess he
must know what he's doing."
313
00:20:06,164 --> 00:20:09,334
And so, in this
kind of misbegotten way, uh,
314
00:20:09,334 --> 00:20:11,503
arguably one of the
most legendary moments
315
00:20:11,503 --> 00:20:14,923
in the entire history of the
U.S. Airborne begins right then.
316
00:20:16,007 --> 00:20:17,759
NARRATOR: Even as
the charge picks up,
317
00:20:17,759 --> 00:20:20,428
his men follow
one another in a line.
318
00:20:20,428 --> 00:20:21,596
JOHN: Here
they've come down the causeway.
319
00:20:21,596 --> 00:20:23,682
That's been your
single file advance.
320
00:20:23,682 --> 00:20:26,142
Now, you're going to have to
spread out more horizontally in
321
00:20:26,142 --> 00:20:27,769
order to attack this objective,
322
00:20:27,769 --> 00:20:29,562
and that's a lot
easier said than done.
323
00:20:29,562 --> 00:20:31,064
So, they're
transitioning to that,
324
00:20:31,064 --> 00:20:33,817
and they're tending to just
follow the guy in front of them.
325
00:20:33,817 --> 00:20:35,777
NARRATOR: Cole waves his arms,
326
00:20:35,777 --> 00:20:38,113
motioning for
them to spread out.
327
00:20:38,113 --> 00:20:40,740
They misinterpret the
signal and hit the dirt.
328
00:20:42,742 --> 00:20:44,869
Cole must get them moving.
329
00:20:44,869 --> 00:20:46,788
He circles back.
330
00:20:46,788 --> 00:20:49,582
JOHN: So, he's firing his pistol at
the Germans and he's like,
331
00:20:49,582 --> 00:20:51,334
"I don't even know
what I’m shooting at,
332
00:20:51,334 --> 00:20:53,295
but I just know I’m
supposed to go here."
333
00:20:53,295 --> 00:20:56,298
He just looks like this sort
of crazy man out there in the,
334
00:20:56,298 --> 00:20:59,801
in the, in the open,
firing at the enemy,
335
00:20:59,801 --> 00:21:01,094
trying to inspire.
336
00:21:01,094 --> 00:21:02,804
And I, I think
all that adds up to,
337
00:21:02,804 --> 00:21:04,431
to creating a
little bit more action to,
338
00:21:04,431 --> 00:21:06,391
to get out there
and support Cole,
339
00:21:06,391 --> 00:21:09,853
and make sure that this crazy
battalion commander doesn't get
340
00:21:09,853 --> 00:21:12,105
killed right out
there on his own.
341
00:21:14,899 --> 00:21:17,277
NARRATOR: The
momentum finally builds.
342
00:21:18,278 --> 00:21:20,363
Go!
343
00:21:22,949 --> 00:21:25,660
NARRATOR: Even as paratroopers
around him are struck,
344
00:21:25,660 --> 00:21:28,413
Cole nears the farmhouse
that is their objective.
345
00:21:29,956 --> 00:21:33,001
At a full run, he hurtles
into a water-filled ditch.
346
00:21:38,131 --> 00:21:41,343
NARRATOR: As the charge continues,
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Cole
347
00:21:41,718 --> 00:21:44,929
is uninjured from
his dip in the ditch.
348
00:21:44,929 --> 00:21:48,391
But the Artillery Liaison’s
Radio Operator also
349
00:21:48,391 --> 00:21:51,561
lands in the water.
350
00:21:51,561 --> 00:21:55,607
Other paratroopers push past
them towards the farmhouse.
351
00:21:56,066 --> 00:21:58,943
Some divert to
clear the structure.
352
00:21:59,486 --> 00:22:01,279
Second Lieutenant Edward Provost
353
00:22:01,279 --> 00:22:04,282
leads another group along
the edge of the property.
354
00:22:04,282 --> 00:22:06,576
(explosions)
355
00:22:06,576 --> 00:22:09,537
(rapid gunfire)
356
00:22:09,537 --> 00:22:14,292
Only to come under heavy fire from
a concealed machine gun nest.
357
00:22:23,259 --> 00:22:25,887
Several of his men are shot.
358
00:22:25,887 --> 00:22:30,600
NARRATOR: But Provost and four others
close in on the machine gun nest
359
00:22:30,600 --> 00:22:33,478
with firing lines
toward the farmhouse.
360
00:22:33,478 --> 00:22:38,525
(rapid gunfire)
361
00:22:47,951 --> 00:22:50,620
NARRATOR: American Technician
Fifth Grade James Brune pulls
362
00:22:51,037 --> 00:22:54,499
the pin on a grenade and
tosses it over the hedge.
363
00:22:56,209 --> 00:22:59,254
STEVEN: Hedgerows are a natural
defensive structure.
364
00:22:59,254 --> 00:23:02,048
Usually, they edge
all four sides of a field
365
00:23:02,048 --> 00:23:06,094
designed to protect farm fields
against the harsh coastal winds.
366
00:23:06,094 --> 00:23:09,597
{\an8}And so, these hedgerows were
built up over the centuries.
367
00:23:09,597 --> 00:23:11,182
{\an8}And they're very,
very substantial.
368
00:23:11,182 --> 00:23:13,852
They could
be six, ten feet high.
369
00:23:13,852 --> 00:23:16,771
Combinations of rock and soil.
370
00:23:17,188 --> 00:23:20,608
NARRATOR: The hedgerows can
be so thick they prove immune
371
00:23:20,608 --> 00:23:23,611
to many weapons,
including tanks.
372
00:23:23,611 --> 00:23:26,823
They create countless
small battlefields which negate
373
00:23:26,823 --> 00:23:28,867
large coordinated attacks.
374
00:23:30,243 --> 00:23:33,496
And the Germans have had
a lot of time to prepare.
375
00:23:35,290 --> 00:23:38,668
PETER: They have trained there for month
in these hedgerows, the bocage.
376
00:23:39,127 --> 00:23:41,379
In every corner
of this hedgerows,
377
00:23:41,379 --> 00:23:44,674
there could be a
German machine gun,
378
00:23:44,674 --> 00:23:48,261
{\an8}and they can also move
their troops in concealment,
379
00:23:48,261 --> 00:23:51,097
{\an8}and it makes it very difficult
for the Americans to advance.
380
00:23:52,307 --> 00:23:54,642
NARRATOR: Often, the
enemy presence is detected
381
00:23:54,642 --> 00:23:56,686
only when it is too late.
382
00:24:00,356 --> 00:24:01,816
(explosion)
383
00:24:01,816 --> 00:24:06,654
Fortunately, the grenade thrown
over the hedge by James Brune
384
00:24:06,654 --> 00:24:09,657
stuns the German soldiers
occupying the position.
385
00:24:19,375 --> 00:24:22,712
JOHN: Provost is of the mindset that
he has to preserve bullets.
386
00:24:25,632 --> 00:24:27,133
That's what he's
telling his people
387
00:24:27,133 --> 00:24:29,719
{\an8}to stick them with bayonets rather than
shoot bullets in 'em.
388
00:24:29,719 --> 00:24:32,764
{\an8}And that's a rather extraordinary
order in modern combat.
389
00:24:36,601 --> 00:24:37,810
NARRATOR: With
the bayonet charge,
390
00:24:37,810 --> 00:24:41,356
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Cole
captures the objective.
391
00:24:41,356 --> 00:24:43,441
The farmhouse is secure.
392
00:24:46,110 --> 00:24:48,738
The battalion quickly sets
up their command post there.
393
00:24:48,738 --> 00:24:51,866
With a foothold on the south
side of the Madeleine River,
394
00:24:51,866 --> 00:24:55,620
{\an8}Cole’s men hope to continue
their attack towards Carentan.
395
00:24:56,621 --> 00:25:00,917
As early as June 7th, Eisenhower
himself ordered the drive to
396
00:25:00,917 --> 00:25:04,504
close the gap between
Omaha and Utah beaches.
397
00:25:04,504 --> 00:25:06,506
And Carentan is the key.
398
00:25:09,092 --> 00:25:11,719
NARRATOR: From the town,
Major Friedrich Von der Heydte
399
00:25:11,719 --> 00:25:14,430
positions his crack
Fallschirmjäger troops
400
00:25:14,430 --> 00:25:17,183
against the
coming American attack.
401
00:25:17,183 --> 00:25:20,436
He has been ordered
to hold to the last man.
402
00:25:20,436 --> 00:25:26,234
Meanwhile the 17th SS Panzer Division
rumbles slowly toward Carentan.
403
00:25:26,234 --> 00:25:29,779
PETER: The tank reinforcement
at Carentan is delayed because
404
00:25:29,779 --> 00:25:33,116
the Germans can move their
troops only during nighttime.
405
00:25:33,116 --> 00:25:37,870
During daytime, the skies
are full of allied airplanes.
406
00:25:38,538 --> 00:25:42,375
NARRATOR: Throughout June 10th,
re-supply also remains hampered.
407
00:25:42,375 --> 00:25:45,753
PETER: There's still a lot of
chaos in the German response.
408
00:25:46,754 --> 00:25:49,007
It is difficult to
bring in reinforcements and
409
00:25:49,007 --> 00:25:51,050
also to supply their troops,
410
00:25:51,050 --> 00:25:54,137
so the Germans are
running out of ammunition.
411
00:25:55,054 --> 00:25:57,348
NARRATOR: Nevertheless
Von der Heydte
412
00:25:57,348 --> 00:25:59,726
follows standard German
military doctrine and
413
00:25:59,726 --> 00:26:01,394
orders a counterattack before
414
00:26:01,853 --> 00:26:05,148
the Americans can
consolidate their position.
415
00:26:05,148 --> 00:26:06,774
Cover that hedge over here.
416
00:26:06,774 --> 00:26:09,444
NARRATOR: As they secure the
area around the farmhouse...
417
00:26:09,444 --> 00:26:10,445
Could be more of them!
418
00:26:10,445 --> 00:26:13,656
NARRATOR: Second Lieutenant Edward Provost
encounters more Germans.
419
00:26:15,992 --> 00:26:21,039
(rapid gunfire)
420
00:26:21,039 --> 00:26:24,417
During the fight, he tries
to pull the pin from a grenade,
421
00:26:24,417 --> 00:26:26,961
and he is struck
by a German bullet.
422
00:26:28,630 --> 00:26:31,341
Bleeding, the Lieutenant
retreats to the command post
423
00:26:31,341 --> 00:26:32,842
at the farmhouse.
424
00:26:37,513 --> 00:26:40,808
NARRATOR: In the yard, Cole
moves between soldiers.
425
00:26:42,518 --> 00:26:45,355
He has established a makeshift
aid station where he treats
426
00:26:45,772 --> 00:26:49,692
the wounded Americans who pour into
the courtyard from the battle.
427
00:26:50,234 --> 00:26:51,361
JOHN:
In normal combat,
428
00:26:51,361 --> 00:26:55,031
Cole would have a battalion
command post behind the lines.
429
00:26:55,031 --> 00:26:57,950
He would have his medical
people there doing their thing.
430
00:26:57,950 --> 00:27:00,495
But in this instance,
he's at this spear point with
431
00:27:00,495 --> 00:27:02,497
whomever happens
to be there with him.
432
00:27:02,497 --> 00:27:05,583
And there's not many medics,
but there are wounded.
433
00:27:05,583 --> 00:27:09,212
NARRATOR: Without proper supplies,
Cole improvises.
434
00:27:09,212 --> 00:27:13,174
He finds a pickax handle
to stabilize a broken leg.
435
00:27:19,555 --> 00:27:23,101
Cole looks up to see a young private
removing his boot.
436
00:27:24,519 --> 00:27:26,604
JOHN: What Cole
really wants to impress upon him
437
00:27:26,604 --> 00:27:29,899
is how vulnerable he is, how
he probably ought to move and
438
00:27:29,899 --> 00:27:31,901
put himself in a
better circumstance.
439
00:27:31,901 --> 00:27:33,945
This is a hot spot!
Get outta here!
440
00:27:33,945 --> 00:27:36,614
NARRATOR: The young soldier
brushes off Cole’s concerns.
441
00:27:36,614 --> 00:27:37,532
Private! Now!
442
00:27:37,532 --> 00:27:39,325
NARRATOR: And continues
to treat his minor wound.
443
00:27:39,325 --> 00:27:41,911
(explosion)
444
00:27:41,911 --> 00:27:45,957
At that moment, a German round
hits the careless paratrooper.
445
00:27:45,957 --> 00:27:47,500
JOHN: The Germans
knew the ground, they knew
446
00:27:47,500 --> 00:27:50,878
which buildings were
likely to be a command post or
447
00:27:50,878 --> 00:27:52,672
where Americans
were likely to cluster,
448
00:27:52,672 --> 00:27:54,716
because of course, they
had themselves had done
449
00:27:54,716 --> 00:27:55,925
much the same thing.
450
00:27:55,925 --> 00:27:58,928
It's a, it’s a
pretty obvious target.
451
00:27:58,928 --> 00:28:01,055
NARRATOR: As the
Germans close in,
452
00:28:01,055 --> 00:28:05,226
Cole is in dire need of his
own accurate artillery to stop
453
00:28:05,226 --> 00:28:07,478
the German counterattack.
454
00:28:07,478 --> 00:28:09,772
Communication is critical.
455
00:28:09,772 --> 00:28:12,275
But their
Artillery Liaison Officer,
456
00:28:12,275 --> 00:28:16,946
is unable to use his radio after it landed
in the water earlier in the day.
457
00:28:17,780 --> 00:28:20,491
He cannot update the
batteries to the rear.
458
00:28:22,535 --> 00:28:24,620
JOHN: You want to at least be
able to provide them with
459
00:28:24,620 --> 00:28:28,374
a basic sense of where you are,
so that they can fire beyond
460
00:28:28,374 --> 00:28:31,294
that line of where you are
to where they know you're not.
461
00:28:33,254 --> 00:28:35,047
NARRATOR: Fortunately,
just before noon,
462
00:28:35,047 --> 00:28:37,675
a resupply breaks
through to the farmhouse,
463
00:28:37,675 --> 00:28:39,135
with a new radio.
464
00:28:40,470 --> 00:28:44,098
But it still needs to be set up.
465
00:28:44,098 --> 00:28:47,059
Rosemond has two options,
466
00:28:47,059 --> 00:28:51,355
go through a procedure to find the
right frequency on the new set.
467
00:28:51,355 --> 00:28:54,692
Or, to switch
crystals from the old radio,
468
00:28:54,692 --> 00:28:57,570
to match the frequency
of the artillery batteries.
469
00:29:00,072 --> 00:29:01,908
JOHN: He understands
that time is of the essence,
470
00:29:01,908 --> 00:29:05,745
so in a way, he cannibalizes
the parts to use in a radio
471
00:29:05,745 --> 00:29:08,372
that he thinks
probably will work.
472
00:29:12,251 --> 00:29:15,087
NARRATOR: American defensive
positions around the farmhouse
473
00:29:15,087 --> 00:29:16,881
begin to crumble.
474
00:29:22,428 --> 00:29:24,764
In the firefight,
Sergeant William Grant
475
00:29:24,764 --> 00:29:28,434
is struck in the arm, and
withdraws to get first aid.
476
00:29:31,979 --> 00:29:33,523
JOHN: His
guys are watching him,
477
00:29:33,523 --> 00:29:34,982
they don't see
him really get hit.
478
00:29:34,982 --> 00:29:36,859
They just see him
start to run back.
479
00:29:36,859 --> 00:29:39,737
So, in their minds, that means,
"Oh, we're withdrawing,"
480
00:29:39,737 --> 00:29:41,489
and nobody wants
to be left behind.
481
00:29:41,489 --> 00:29:43,699
Retreat!
482
00:29:49,622 --> 00:29:52,708
NARRATOR: Other paratroopers join them
and head toward the bridge.
483
00:29:55,253 --> 00:29:59,215
NARRATOR: Cole can’t see this movement,
but senses something is wrong.
484
00:29:59,590 --> 00:30:01,133
JOHN: He knows
how hard his guys have fought.
485
00:30:01,133 --> 00:30:02,760
He knows they've been
through a rough night,
486
00:30:02,760 --> 00:30:05,555
and he knows the most
likely explanation is that
487
00:30:05,555 --> 00:30:08,599
they're starting to run out of
steam and maybe run out of ammo.
488
00:30:08,599 --> 00:30:12,979
And so, that puts them on the wrong side
in the, the fire superiority equation.
489
00:30:12,979 --> 00:30:14,313
It's probably dawning on him,
490
00:30:14,313 --> 00:30:18,067
he's starting to
lose control of this battle,
491
00:30:18,067 --> 00:30:20,945
and that is never a
good feeling at all.
492
00:30:21,362 --> 00:30:22,280
Rosemond!
493
00:30:22,280 --> 00:30:24,949
NARRATOR: Cole demands
more artillery support.
494
00:30:26,367 --> 00:30:30,079
Rosemond continues
to work intently on the radio.
495
00:30:30,496 --> 00:30:31,706
Come on!
496
00:30:31,706 --> 00:30:36,085
NARRATOR: Meanwhile, a few
American paratroopers retreating
497
00:30:36,085 --> 00:30:39,255
soon becomes a
flood of men running back
498
00:30:39,255 --> 00:30:42,216
toward the
bridge yelling, “Withdraw.”
499
00:30:43,175 --> 00:30:45,344
It has the makings of a rout.
500
00:30:48,931 --> 00:30:54,312
As Rosemond works to transfer
the crystals to the new radio,
501
00:30:56,272 --> 00:31:01,277
Cole receives a message
from Regimental Command
502
00:31:01,277 --> 00:31:03,654
with the order to cease fire.
503
00:31:13,080 --> 00:31:14,415
(rapid gunfire)
504
00:31:14,415 --> 00:31:16,876
NARRATOR: As groups of
American Paratroopers retreat
505
00:31:16,876 --> 00:31:19,086
to the bridge from the battle.
506
00:31:20,254 --> 00:31:23,466
A U.S. Jeep approaches the
German held city of Carentan
507
00:31:23,466 --> 00:31:26,093
under a red cross flag.
508
00:31:27,053 --> 00:31:31,390
Major General Maxwell Taylor,
Commander of the 101st Airborne
509
00:31:31,390 --> 00:31:34,435
sends an emissary to
Major Friedrich Von der Heydte
510
00:31:34,435 --> 00:31:38,189
accompanied by
two German prisoners of war.
511
00:31:38,189 --> 00:31:41,776
Von der Heydte defends the
French city of Carentan which
512
00:31:41,776 --> 00:31:46,238
the Americans want to capture
to link Utah and Omaha beaches.
513
00:31:47,949 --> 00:31:50,284
This is not an
American surrender.
514
00:31:50,284 --> 00:31:54,205
Instead, they offer the German Major
an honorable capitulation,
515
00:31:54,205 --> 00:31:58,084
to save the lives of his men
and the civilians of Carentan.
516
00:32:03,255 --> 00:32:05,257
Von der Heydte declines.
517
00:32:06,092 --> 00:32:08,970
{\an8}He doesn't surrender
because surrendering is against
518
00:32:08,970 --> 00:32:12,181
{\an8}the sense of duty of the
German officers of this time.
519
00:32:12,181 --> 00:32:18,020
And it's also a danger for him,
his career and also his family.
520
00:32:18,020 --> 00:32:21,440
When Von der Heydte receives
the offer to capitulate,
521
00:32:21,899 --> 00:32:26,320
he just answers, "Would you capitulate
in the same situation?"
522
00:32:27,446 --> 00:32:28,280
JOHN: Maybe
I look at it too much from
523
00:32:28,406 --> 00:32:30,658
the German point of view
that it's so absurd.
524
00:32:30,783 --> 00:32:33,703
The battle for the town
has really kind of just begun.
525
00:32:34,704 --> 00:32:36,747
It's almost analogous to someone
526
00:32:36,747 --> 00:32:39,917
getting a foot in
your door and saying,
527
00:32:39,917 --> 00:32:42,003
"Okay, when are you going to
turn your house over to me?"
528
00:32:49,760 --> 00:32:52,263
NARRATOR: But the
cease fire helps the Americans
529
00:32:52,263 --> 00:32:54,140
to stabilize their line.
530
00:32:55,433 --> 00:32:57,435
JOHN: Their
lead unit is in crisis.
531
00:32:57,435 --> 00:33:00,354
They are not
particularly well-supplied.
532
00:33:03,524 --> 00:33:04,984
{\an8}So, any kind of
truce like this, I think,
533
00:33:04,984 --> 00:33:08,446
{\an8}is much likely to help them
much more so than the Germans.
534
00:33:10,698 --> 00:33:11,532
NARRATOR: Von der Heydte
535
00:33:11,657 --> 00:33:14,577
also takes
advantage of the ceasefire.
536
00:33:14,577 --> 00:33:18,622
German Artillery Observers use
the opportunity to crawl closer
537
00:33:18,622 --> 00:33:20,958
to the American command post.
538
00:33:24,170 --> 00:33:28,549
They can now radio back
more accurate information.
539
00:33:30,885 --> 00:33:33,012
As soon as the truce expires,
540
00:33:33,012 --> 00:33:35,389
Von der Heydte
orders a heavy bombardment
541
00:33:35,389 --> 00:33:37,308
of the American positions.
542
00:33:38,601 --> 00:33:41,604
PETER: Von der Heydte does what
almost any commander would do in
543
00:33:41,604 --> 00:33:43,689
the similar situation
during the ceasefire.
544
00:33:43,689 --> 00:33:49,153
He reorganizes his men,
reinforces their position,
545
00:33:49,153 --> 00:33:51,363
with a message,
“We’re not going anywhere.”
546
00:33:57,453 --> 00:34:02,124
NARRATOR: But the Americans have their own
artillery observer back online.
547
00:34:02,124 --> 00:34:06,212
Rosemond uses his new radio
to relay updated targets
548
00:34:06,212 --> 00:34:08,214
to the American batteries.
549
00:34:11,008 --> 00:34:13,969
But the hedgerows mean he
can’t really confirm where
550
00:34:13,969 --> 00:34:15,638
the artillery lands.
551
00:34:17,014 --> 00:34:19,725
JOHN: In this case he may be able
to, to get a little sense
552
00:34:19,725 --> 00:34:22,228
of where explosions
occur by blasts,
553
00:34:22,228 --> 00:34:24,271
or some smoke here and there.
554
00:34:24,271 --> 00:34:27,233
But that's really
nowhere near as good as your,
555
00:34:27,233 --> 00:34:28,526
as your eyes on.
556
00:34:28,943 --> 00:34:32,404
And he's relying on sound,
which is very problematic, too,
557
00:34:32,404 --> 00:34:34,281
in the context of a battle,
558
00:34:34,281 --> 00:34:36,158
where there's probably a decent number of
weapons cooking off.
559
00:34:41,622 --> 00:34:44,583
NARRATOR: The Germans move along
the tree line before slipping to
560
00:34:44,583 --> 00:34:47,878
the flank on the
inside of the hedgerow.
561
00:34:51,590 --> 00:34:54,802
They have moved in under
the American artillery screen
562
00:34:54,802 --> 00:34:57,596
invisible to the
defending paratroopers,
563
00:34:59,473 --> 00:35:01,767
until they start to shoot.
564
00:35:03,394 --> 00:35:07,398
As their need for supporting
artillery fire increases,
565
00:35:07,398 --> 00:35:08,941
Rosemond gets
dealt another blow.
566
00:35:08,941 --> 00:35:09,942
What did I just say!
567
00:35:09,942 --> 00:35:11,527
(radio static)
568
00:35:11,527 --> 00:35:13,404
NARRATOR: The
Germans jammed his radio.
569
00:35:13,404 --> 00:35:17,074
(radio static)
570
00:35:17,074 --> 00:35:18,659
JOHN: Basically,
your communications are out,
571
00:35:18,659 --> 00:35:20,161
they are jammed.
572
00:35:20,161 --> 00:35:22,580
And so now, you're going to have
to figure out a way around that.
573
00:35:22,580 --> 00:35:25,666
And it's just kind of one
more headache that you have,
574
00:35:25,666 --> 00:35:28,169
and one that could
be fatal, in this instance.
575
00:35:28,169 --> 00:35:31,088
So, uh, it is a matter of
tremendous importance that
576
00:35:31,088 --> 00:35:33,215
those radios come back online.
577
00:35:34,425 --> 00:35:36,260
NARRATOR: As the
Fallschirmjäger close in,
578
00:35:36,260 --> 00:35:39,638
the paratroopers start
to run low on ammunition.
579
00:35:39,638 --> 00:35:42,850
Without resupply, it will
be impossible to hold off
580
00:35:42,850 --> 00:35:43,851
the German attack.
581
00:35:43,851 --> 00:35:45,352
MAN: I need more ammo!
582
00:35:47,938 --> 00:35:49,481
MAN 2: Last one! Make it count!
583
00:35:54,987 --> 00:35:58,782
NARRATOR: The farmhouse command post sits
at the south end of a long causeway,
584
00:35:58,782 --> 00:36:02,620
{\an8}connected by bridges and
obstructed by a Belgian Gate.
585
00:36:03,829 --> 00:36:06,290
{\an8}Vehicle traffic to
bring ammunition forward
586
00:36:06,290 --> 00:36:08,459
is virtually impossible.
587
00:36:08,459 --> 00:36:10,044
The causeway is
still a dangerous place.
588
00:36:10,044 --> 00:36:12,296
Uh, the Germans
can still target it.
589
00:36:14,506 --> 00:36:17,134
NARRATOR: Wounded soldiers
also clog the route.
590
00:36:17,635 --> 00:36:21,889
(explosions)
591
00:36:23,724 --> 00:36:27,645
Even individual ammo runners
find it difficult to advance.
592
00:36:30,773 --> 00:36:34,735
They decide to use the traffic jam along
the ditches to their advantage,
593
00:36:37,655 --> 00:36:39,990
they create a
human conveyor belt.
594
00:36:40,950 --> 00:36:42,993
JOHN: There's lines
of wounded waiting to get out,
595
00:36:42,993 --> 00:36:44,954
people taking cover,
whatever it is.
596
00:36:44,954 --> 00:36:47,706
And so, they just pass the ammo,
597
00:36:47,706 --> 00:36:51,627
in the direction of what they know is the
front-line positions.
598
00:36:51,627 --> 00:36:54,296
And so, once again,
this is improvised.
599
00:36:54,838 --> 00:36:58,425
NARRATOR: Ammo boxes and belts
pass through hundreds of hands
600
00:36:58,425 --> 00:37:02,096
to resupply the American
main line of resistance.
601
00:37:05,849 --> 00:37:07,518
Major Friedrich
Von der Heydte of
602
00:37:07,518 --> 00:37:09,812
the German Sixth
Fallschirmjäger Regiment
603
00:37:09,812 --> 00:37:12,648
faces similar
challenges of his own.
604
00:37:12,648 --> 00:37:14,149
PETER: It may not seem to Cole,
605
00:37:14,149 --> 00:37:18,112
but Von der Heydte is
running out of ammunition.
606
00:37:18,112 --> 00:37:21,573
So, for him, this barrage
is a kind of last-ditch effort
607
00:37:21,573 --> 00:37:23,659
to keep the Americans at bay.
608
00:37:25,077 --> 00:37:27,246
NARRATOR: Von der Heydte
throws everything he has
609
00:37:27,246 --> 00:37:29,248
into the counterattack.
610
00:37:32,876 --> 00:37:35,963
NARRATOR: Under the acute pressure,
611
00:37:36,422 --> 00:37:42,094
Cole’s men succumb to wave after
wave of intense enemy fire.
612
00:37:42,928 --> 00:37:45,973
The American
defenses give way,
613
00:37:45,973 --> 00:37:49,059
and the Germans push in even closer.
614
00:37:53,439 --> 00:37:55,065
(distant gunfire)
615
00:37:55,065 --> 00:37:57,026
(explosions)
616
00:37:57,026 --> 00:37:58,861
NARRATOR: Lieutenant
Colonel Robert Cole
617
00:37:58,861 --> 00:38:02,740
joins his artillery liaison.
618
00:38:02,740 --> 00:38:06,076
The two men can
hear and see a change.
619
00:38:07,036 --> 00:38:10,456
Cole would later
describe it as a dying rattle.
620
00:38:10,831 --> 00:38:14,793
JOHN: The term dying rattle I
think is really quite poignant,
621
00:38:14,793 --> 00:38:17,546
because it sort of
equates to death rattle.
622
00:38:17,546 --> 00:38:20,090
That would happen
with an individual dying.
623
00:38:20,090 --> 00:38:22,176
{\an8}What he's telling you
with that term is that,
624
00:38:22,176 --> 00:38:26,722
{\an8}"My unit is dying if
this continues much longer."
625
00:38:31,435 --> 00:38:34,104
NARRATOR: Cole believes
that his line has been cracked.
626
00:38:34,104 --> 00:38:37,191
He must start
preparations for a retreat.
627
00:38:39,568 --> 00:38:42,071
Rosemond remains determined.
628
00:38:42,071 --> 00:38:46,533
If he can just make contact
with the artillery batteries,
629
00:38:46,533 --> 00:38:49,870
American firepower could
hold off the German onslaught.
630
00:38:49,870 --> 00:38:52,373
(radio static)
631
00:38:52,373 --> 00:38:55,667
With his radio still jammed,
he keeps changing frequencies,
632
00:38:56,085 --> 00:38:58,212
hoping to get his message out.
633
00:38:58,212 --> 00:39:00,047
STEVEN: The
problem is during World War II,
634
00:39:00,047 --> 00:39:02,091
the radios are not
especially reliable.
635
00:39:02,091 --> 00:39:05,511
{\an8}The Germans know what frequency
the U.S. radios are on and
636
00:39:05,511 --> 00:39:08,055
{\an8}so they will use jammers,
which are oftentimes just
637
00:39:08,055 --> 00:39:11,100
a radio tuned to
that particular channel,
638
00:39:11,100 --> 00:39:13,519
and then you just
broadcast noise on it.
639
00:39:13,519 --> 00:39:15,562
Do you copy?
640
00:39:15,562 --> 00:39:16,522
Sir! We’re through!
641
00:39:16,522 --> 00:39:22,111
NARRATOR: Captain Rosemond finally breaks
through on a different channel.
642
00:39:22,111 --> 00:39:26,865
He calls for a barrage dangerously
close to the farmhouse.
643
00:39:27,783 --> 00:39:30,160
JOHN: If you are willing to call
down fire on your position,
644
00:39:30,160 --> 00:39:33,539
what military circles
are called, “Danger close,”
645
00:39:33,539 --> 00:39:37,960
it means basically that you're willing to
take some friendly casualties in order
646
00:39:37,960 --> 00:39:41,422
to save the larger unit,
and break up the enemy attack,
647
00:39:41,422 --> 00:39:43,215
and destroy the Germans here.
648
00:39:45,134 --> 00:39:49,805
NARRATOR: But the artillery officer
on the line says they have no ammunition.
649
00:39:51,473 --> 00:39:53,434
Rosemond is out of options.
650
00:39:53,434 --> 00:39:57,729
He needs the officer to find something to
fire at the Germans.
651
00:39:58,647 --> 00:40:01,859
Cole prepares for
the worst-case scenario.
652
00:40:02,776 --> 00:40:04,736
JOHN: He thinks
he's going to have to actually
653
00:40:04,736 --> 00:40:08,240
leave his wounded behind
for the care of the Germans.
654
00:40:08,240 --> 00:40:12,161
And that tells you how desperate
he perceived the situation to be
655
00:40:12,161 --> 00:40:14,830
if he was willing to
leave his wounded behind.
656
00:40:14,830 --> 00:40:16,915
So, this was the last option,
657
00:40:16,915 --> 00:40:19,126
but it was one that he
was actually contemplating.
658
00:40:20,794 --> 00:40:21,962
NARRATOR: In a turn of luck,
659
00:40:21,962 --> 00:40:24,506
the batteries finally
receive their shipment.
660
00:40:24,506 --> 00:40:25,674
Load up!
661
00:40:27,259 --> 00:40:31,180
NARRATOR: The American guns
let loose, all of them.
662
00:40:31,597 --> 00:40:36,435
Where Rosemond previously had support from
two battalions of artillery,
663
00:40:36,435 --> 00:40:38,896
this call receives every gun.
664
00:40:38,896 --> 00:40:42,483
JOHN: To have every gun within
command supporting this battle,
665
00:40:42,483 --> 00:40:45,360
it certainly tells you that
it's a desperate situation.
666
00:40:46,445 --> 00:40:48,697
NARRATOR: With a
critical objective.
667
00:40:51,074 --> 00:40:54,369
The artillery barrage
devastates the German attackers.
668
00:40:56,497 --> 00:41:00,125
Unfortunately, the barrage
is so close to the farmhouse,
669
00:41:00,125 --> 00:41:03,879
that it likely strikes some
American defenders as well.
670
00:41:06,423 --> 00:41:08,091
JOHN: But, uh, pretty much
everyone who was there
671
00:41:08,091 --> 00:41:12,596
later said it was necessary,
that it had to be done this way.
672
00:41:12,596 --> 00:41:16,725
As they put it, "We lost some good men,
but we needed that barrage."
673
00:41:17,518 --> 00:41:20,187
NARRATOR: Major Von der Heydte
pulls his men back to
674
00:41:20,187 --> 00:41:23,690
the southwest edge of
Carentan for a last stand.
675
00:41:24,775 --> 00:41:27,736
PETER: He knows
he's running out of ammunition.
676
00:41:27,736 --> 00:41:30,364
He had suffered
heavy casualties.
677
00:41:30,364 --> 00:41:34,826
{\an8}So, in the end, he decides to do
what any responsible commander
678
00:41:34,826 --> 00:41:36,745
would do in the
similar situation.
679
00:41:36,745 --> 00:41:39,039
He orders his troops to retreat.
680
00:41:41,667 --> 00:41:43,710
NARRATOR: Cole’s
men have won the day,
681
00:41:43,710 --> 00:41:45,796
at a heavy cost.
682
00:41:45,796 --> 00:41:48,423
JOHN: The scale
of losses is just staggering.
683
00:41:48,423 --> 00:41:50,050
You start out
with about 700 guys.
684
00:41:50,050 --> 00:41:51,802
And by the time
the fighting is over,
685
00:41:51,802 --> 00:41:54,054
you end up with 132.
686
00:41:54,054 --> 00:41:58,267
The Third Battalion,
502nd Cole’s battalion,
687
00:41:58,267 --> 00:42:01,895
is rendered almost combat
ineffective for most of the rest
688
00:42:01,895 --> 00:42:03,689
of the battle in Normandy.
689
00:42:07,234 --> 00:42:10,404
NARRATOR: But, they have
opened the door to Carentan.
690
00:42:16,785 --> 00:42:20,581
Von der Heydte holds out for
six days but without ammunition,
691
00:42:20,581 --> 00:42:24,001
he can no longer wait
for their SS reinforcements.
692
00:42:25,085 --> 00:42:26,878
He orders a
retreat from the town and
693
00:42:26,878 --> 00:42:29,756
the Americans seize
the precious hub.
694
00:42:30,841 --> 00:42:33,385
PETER: For the SS,
Von der Heydte is the scapegoat
695
00:42:33,385 --> 00:42:36,013
for the defeat at Carentan.
696
00:42:36,013 --> 00:42:41,393
However, Von der Heydte is covered by
Senior Army and Para Officers
697
00:42:41,393 --> 00:42:44,688
so that he's not
being court-martialed.
698
00:42:44,688 --> 00:42:47,649
And in contrast, he
gets even nicknamed,
699
00:42:47,649 --> 00:42:49,568
"The Lion of Carentan."
700
00:42:53,030 --> 00:42:56,450
NARRATOR: Captain Saint Julien Rosemond
earns the distinguished service cross
701
00:42:56,450 --> 00:43:00,412
for repeatedly moving forward
in the face of enemy fire to
702
00:43:00,412 --> 00:43:02,706
hold his position
to direct artillery.
703
00:43:08,337 --> 00:43:10,047
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Cole
704
00:43:10,047 --> 00:43:12,716
is celebrated for
the heroic fight.
705
00:43:12,716 --> 00:43:14,926
COLE: Go!
706
00:43:15,344 --> 00:43:16,720
COLE (over TV): Of course,
coming across this field,
707
00:43:16,720 --> 00:43:19,348
we were exposed to these men
over here in the hedgerows,
708
00:43:19,348 --> 00:43:20,849
here all the time.
709
00:43:20,849 --> 00:43:22,809
And they had us
perfectly covered.
710
00:43:22,809 --> 00:43:25,103
So it was simply a matter of
getting across the open ground
711
00:43:25,103 --> 00:43:28,482
as quickly as possible
and getting in amongst them.
712
00:43:30,108 --> 00:43:32,694
NARRATOR: He earns the
highest battlefield award,
713
00:43:32,694 --> 00:43:35,238
The Congressional
Medal of Honor.
714
00:43:35,238 --> 00:43:38,909
But Cole is killed by a sniper
at Operation Market Garden
715
00:43:38,909 --> 00:43:40,661
{\an8}before receiving word.
716
00:43:42,496 --> 00:43:45,749
{\an8}The capture of Carentan
springboards the Americans off
717
00:43:45,749 --> 00:43:49,878
{\an8}the beaches of Normandy and
consolidates the allied gains.
718
00:43:51,171 --> 00:43:54,841
{\an8}But the delay has allowed more
German reinforcements to close
719
00:43:54,841 --> 00:43:57,302
{\an8}in on the beaches.
720
00:43:57,302 --> 00:44:02,057
{\an8}The allies face stiff opposition
for every inch of French soil.
721
00:44:03,850 --> 00:44:07,020
{\an8}The war in Europe will rage
for nearly 11 more months.
722
00:44:08,605 --> 00:44:09,690
{\an8}Captioned by
Cotter Media Group.