Luthier's request...

[Cedaway]

We (kickstarter backers) have reveived a mail from Luthier with a request in it:

 

"...And actually, here comes out first request. We know what was flooded by the Germans for the invasion. However, we can't find any references on how it was dealt with. Can anyone provide some more info? What would you see on June 7, June 8, June 9?"

 

Here is my answer: I found a nice website (in french) explaining many phases of the different battles, also in the bocage: http://www.libertyship.be/en/

 

http://www.libertyship.be/la-liberation-de-cherbourg2/

 

EDIT: On the question "What would you see on June 7, June 8, June 9?", my answer is obviously land combat where we can help ground troops with CAS missions or escort of CAS. But what I want to see is live action below my wings, advancing and combating troops, tanks, ships,....

Edited October 7, 2013 by Cedaway

[Sharpe]

June 7th 8th and 9th you'd(probably) see a lot more landings. Increased but largely unsuccesful Luftwaffe activity, lots of tactical air support for the troops.

 

Faction wise you get the Brits failing to take Caen. You get the Americans heading towards Cherbourg and attempting to link up with their British cousins.

 

The germans afcourse will be reeling yet throwing almost everything Rommel is entitled to at the beachhead. This is just from the top of my head though.

 

edit: I did find mention of a counterattack by some german elements on june the 8th itsself, but that ran into a steel rain and got nowhere fast.

Edited October 7, 2013 by Sharpe

[Der_Fred]

EDIT: On the question "What would you see on June 7, June 8, June 9?", my answer is obviously land combat where we can help ground troops with CAS missions or escort of CAS. But what I want to see is live action below my wings, advancing and combating troops, tanks, ships,....

 

I've recently read a book 'Typhoon Pilot', which explains a lot of ground support, and friendly fire incidents, in what one would describe as 'organised chaos'

[Rincevent]

I think his question was more about what means did the allies deploy to go through the flooded area rather than simulation related questions and historical development.

That is : he wants to know what type of vehicles crossed those areas, were there obstacles put by the germans in these areas, what type, and so on and so on.

I'm flying over Normandy on June 7th, what do I see on the ground ?

[Sharpe]

From what I was able to find, the flooded areas were actually bypassed and for a time they even (seemed to have) served as protection for the American Southern flank.

 

What happened after the war? my answer would be to google it.

[IAF_Phantom]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e31FezSr85o&feature=youtube_gdata_player

:)

[SlipBall]

The Brits had documented a test flood that the German's did in 43, the landing was planned accordingly. I think it was 43. Anyway the hedgerows were the bigger problem. After much frustration, someone came up with the idea to fit commercial pipe, 2 of them to the tanks. The driver would drive the horns of the tank into the earth of the hedge, demolition men setting charges in the two holes, then blew an opening. The hedge roots being so dense that this was the only way that worked. That is without exposing the tanks soft under belly to enemy fire, while trying to climb over the tangle thick vegetation...the troops had a name for the tank, can't think of what it was, Rino something

Edited October 7, 2013 by GT 5.0

[104th_Cobra]

Rhino "tanks". Were the armoured combat vehicles (not sure if they were all main battle tanks) adapted with "prongs" in front of the vehicle, with the specific purpose to open gaps in the hedgerows. There are footage with the use of that vehicles, in some documentaries like BBC's "The World at War".

 

 

 

...Anyway the hedgerows were the bigger problem. After much frustration, someone came up with the idea to fit commercial pipe, 2 of them to the tanks. The driver would drive the horns of the tank into the earth of the hedge, demolition men setting charges in the two holes, then blew an opening. The hedge roots being so dense that this was the only way that worked. That is without exposing the tanks soft under belly to enemy fire, while trying to climb over the tangle thick vegetation...the troops had a name for the tank, can't think of what it was, Rino something

Edited October 7, 2013 by Xpto

[SlipBall]

Yep, Rhino for short

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhino_Tank

Edited October 7, 2013 by GT 5.0

[BabyJail]

To get back to the initial request for info on movement, tactics and terrain features in the days following the invasion;

 

US 29th Division On June 7 and 8:

 

Terrain features inland from Omaha Beach:

 

There is plenty more where these came from with walls of text that explain every detail:

 

Omaha Beachhead (6 June - 13 June):

http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/100-11/100-11.HTM

Utah Beach to Cherbourg (6 June - 27 June):

http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/utah/utah.htm

 

Get to work RRG, and bring us the most detailed, good looking and authentic Normandy combat-area in gaming history!

Edited October 8, 2013 by BabyJail