Saint-Lo is the capital of the Manche region of Normandy and a vital traffic hub. In 1944, it had been a key strategic objective for American forces . Sitting at the center of a major road and rail network which connects Normandy and Brittany, it was to form a pivotal role in the American attempt to swing into Brittany and begin the encirclement of the enemy.
The Germans also had an important command and control centre in St. Lo. The Germans had been prepared for The Americans. As early as July1st, German High Command had dictated that a fight to the death policy would be adopted, ground was to be yielded only when overrun and harassing counterattacks were to be effectively utilized against the advancing Americans. Every field, lane and approach to St Lo had been prepared by the Germans.
Territorial gains in the weeks leading up to the taking of ST-LO, could often be measured in terms of yards taken, for men killed.
Germans dug in, American casualty in foreground
The terrain even benefited the Germans. They were able to dig in, camouflage and lay in wait. They only had to knock out the lead tank in a column to bring an armored advance to a complete halt in the narrow country lanes, then their well sighted artillery could go about the job of picking of the remaining tanks at will. Every time a GI raised his head above a hedgerow, he was likely to get it blown off.
German propaganda film - Germans capture Allied troops
The advance on St. Lo had been a miserable affair for the American soldiers, but on July 18th 1944, the 29th Division finally entered what was left of the ancient market town.
The taking of the town has always been credited to the 29th as it was they who had fought their way in, but stout and costly support had been provided by the 30th Division. Without the soldiers of ‘Old Hickory’, engaging the fanatical groups of German paratroopers and SS grenadiers, tightly holding on, the 29th Division casualties, already significant, would have been catastrophic.
St. Lo had played a pivotal role in Normandy battles through the ages, and has a history dating back to the 8th century. From the Vikings to the Germans, it had been taken and occupied many times, but no war had ever come close to punishing the inhabitants and obliterating their homes, like this one. Thousands of civilians had perished in Allied bombing and artillery strikes and barely a building was left standing, when Lt. Edward G. Jones, Jr of the 29th Recon troop entered the town. The people of St. Lo had paid a heavy price for their freedom.
Saint Lo, modern day, from http://christopheferey.over-blog.net/
Since 1999 St Lo has been twinned with Roanoke, Virginia, USA.
The American Road to Victory series is airing this Saturday on WETA HD, starting at 1:30 with The Americans on D-Day, followed by The Americans on Hell's Highway, and finally, The Americans in the Bulge. We contacted American Legion DC Post #1 and asked if we could feature a local veteran that fought in one of these campaigns on a blog post. They put us in touch with veteran Demetri "Dee" Paris, a tank platoon leader, who recently stepped down as president of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulgeassociation.
For brave actions during the Battle of the Bulge, Paris' unit were awarded two presidential citations, linked to in this article from the Battle of the Bulge Memories site. He describes his experiences in the Bulge in an excellent interview on the It Took a War site. You can also watch an interview with Dee Paris on the BBC news page.
Demetri "Dee" Paris
Like many young men at the time, Paris wanted to enlist immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor. But, his boss did not want him to go, and got a deferment to keep him Stateside. Paris, desperate to join the fight, spent months working his way around the deferment, and finally was allowed to join up.
He wanted to work with heavy armor - tanks - a cutting edge form of new warfare at the time. A place in the Cavalry meant scoring well on tests, school and training at Ft. Riley. Paris excelled, and his dream to fight came true as he headed to England in October of 1944. He jumped into action during the Battle of the Bulge.
We often hear about the bitter cold in the Ardennes campain, and tanks were no exception. Imagine sitting in a metal ice box day after day. Paris had to watch his men closely for frozen feet and frostbite.To help fight off the cold, tank crews heated up their rations on their exhaust pipes.
We asked Paris to describe communications in an Allied tank,
"We had excellent communication, intercom to talk to my crew and radio to speak with the other tanks I commanded. I could even communicate with headquarters if the need arose."
Panzer commander uniform used in filming
Paris wore a plastic helmet with built in head phones and microphone under his tanker's helmet, enabling him to hear over the deafening noise of the tank and artillery and command the 24 men in his charge. His German counterpart would have worn a throat mic and large head phones (see photo to left).
Five men worked in a Sherman tank, the driver, assistant driver, gunner, loader, and the commander. The commander stood up in the turret, his head sticking up out of the tank, so he could direct, because visibility within the tank was minimal. Directions were given to the driver using clock references, "Enemy tanker, 2 'oclock!"
The commander also called for the type of ammo to be fired. Types varied, depending on the objective. Paris explained that high explosives were used against small buildings and infantry, smoke for camoflauge and steel balls in canisters against ground troops. Amour peircing, or AP rounds, were utilized against other tanks and vehicles. Unfortunately, Allied AP rounds could not actually pierce much of the armor on the German Tiger tank because, unlike the German 88mm gun, the velocity at which the rounds left the smaller Allied guns was not fast enough, and the rounds were at least 12mm smaller than their German counterparts. It can be safely said that most German tanks were superior to Allied tanks.
"The Germans had better tanks, better guns, better ammunition and even better hand arms. Whenever we could, we took German weapons and ammunition for ourselves. I carried a German P38 pistol and German binoculars" - Dee Paris
Many soldiers bemoaned their weapons. But, others don't entirely agree with Dee, citing the M1 Garand rifle, described by George Patton as a "War Winner" because it could loose a whole clip while Fritz was still working his bolt action Mauser after each shot. We've also heard claims that the Colt 45 was a better weapon because it's heavier round had real stopping power, whereas the lighter P 38 rounds high velocity meant they could pass right through someone with minor injury.
In the video below, Ellwood Von Seibold discusses deficiencies of Allied Sherman tank.
German's thirsty heavy armour needed constant refueling. Allied tanks held an advantage when it came to their higher mileage engines created by Ford and Cadilac. And, what they lacked in armour and fire power, they made up for in numerical superiority and reliability. Thousands upon thousands of Sherman tanks were made and shipped to European battlefields.
So, what do you think? Did the Germans out arm the Allies? What weapons gave Allies an edge? Would you rather carry a Colt 45, or a German, Walther P 38 pistol?
Ellwood von Seibold has been notified by The U.S Military Attache to France, that he is to be invested as an honorary captain in the U.S Army.
It appears that these honorary awards are usually reserved for civilians who have distinguished themselves in connection with their support for the military, or their portrayals of historic military events.
Ellwood who works tirelessly year round, touring the D-Day battlefields with American visitors, was delighted and stunned at the news, "This is a tremendous honor. I have always felt I was a custodian of this amazing history and I look forward daily, to explaining these momentous events to my wonderful tour parties."
In addition to his rigorous touring schedule, over the last three years, Ellwood has found the time to host a trilogy of battlefield tour films, 'The American Road to Victory' which have been airing on PBS stations from coast to coast.
U.S Military Attache to France, Bruce Sweeney, said of Ellwood,
"I decided to offer Elwood an honorary Captaincy in the US Army due to
his service to the DAO, his dedication to telling the accurate story of
US military operations during WWI and WWII (all sides of the story,
including negative ones), and his dedication to truth as a historian.
Ellwood is an interesting, effective story teller, and has forgotten
more about D-Day and WWII than I probably know."
Colonel Sweeney, pins on badges of rank.
Climbing Pointe du HoqMike Forster
"Nothing has been too much for our intrepid presenter," said director Lanni, "Whether hanging off Pointe du Hoq on a makeshift rope ladder, or freezing in foxholes in Bastogne, he has approached every scene with an enthusiasm and passion. It is fantastic that Ellwood received this honorary officer rank. He is that crazy history teacher one seldom had, but never forgot."
Ellwood with Ride 2 Recovery vets
Recently Ellwood welcomed the Ride 2 Recovery Challenge veterans to his home town of Ste Mere Eglise. Each one was presented with a copy of 'The Americans on D-Day.'
The ceremony took place at the American Embassy in Paris on July 28th. It was followed by a champagne reception.
This amazing tribute to the 'Infantryman' is now in paperback. John C. McManus explains, with alarming clarity, how boots on the ground, and not technology, win wars. From WWII to the modern day combat in Iraq, McManus gives the reader a clear insight into the minds of the courageous foot soldiers, who often up close and personal with their adversaries, get the job done. Reading this book is the nearest you want to get to real combat.
The Battle for Mont Castre and Hill 122 mentioned in the previous post had been won, but at a high price. Four thousand Gi's lay dead and many more were severely wounded. Armored support had aided the capture of this strategic area, but the battleground was strewn with the wreckage of Sherman tanks.
La Haye du Puits Nat'l Archives
The capture of these heights enabled the 82nd Airborne to move in with the 79th Infantry Division and take the important town of La Haye du Puits. This would be the 82nd's last engagement in Normandy. They were exhausted and their ranks severely depleted, but they had proved themselves effective shock troops, an inspiration to their infantry counterparts and fierce adversaries to the stubborn Germans.
The 83rd Infantry Division together with the 4th Infantry Division had finally taken Sainteny and now continued their inch by inch battle.
On their left flank, the 29th Infantry Division ,who had been mauled on Bloody Omaha, moved forward with the 30th Infantry Division, making progress towards the important objective of St Lo. They had experienced their share of murderous hedgerow fighting and lost many men en-route.
Airel bridge, modern day
Airel bridge Nat'l Archives
Unfortunately, advancing across the narrow bridge at Airel, they clashed with men from the U.S 3rd Armored division who, in their forward thrust, cast aside the bedraggled soldiers of the 30th. With their heavy tanks and support vehicles, they ran over communication wires and failed at all levels to co-ordinate with soldiers from the 30th. The 3rd was just desperate to get into the fight. Historian John C. McManus, in his book The Americans at Normandy reports 30th Division General, Leland Hobbs, as accusing the 3rd Armored of creating casualties amongst his men by their 'promiscuous fire.' He was so frustrated, he ordered artillery called in by the 30th to be laid down regardless of where 3rd armor that might be in the area.
If they do it to us, we do it to them!
KO'd panther tank, Nat'l Archives
Things were about to get worse as more and more reinforcements from the 2nd SS panzer division 'Das Reich' began flooding into the area. By July 11th, the Americans had taken Hauts Vents, inflicting heavy casualties on the Germans, but sustaining high levels as well.
The Americans were inching ever nearer their objective of St Lo, but hedgerow country and fanatical Germans would cause them to invest heavily for each piece of ground taken.
Friendly fire, a regrettably feature of all warfare, would become a major factor in the bold 'break out' plan being meticulously prepared at the highest level.
Curtis Culin
One ray of light, a much needed solution to the problems of the Allied tanks ability to penetrate the dense bocage, had been developed by a sergeant from New Jersey, Curtis G. Culin. Taking German steel obstacles that littered the beaches, Culin found that they could be shaped and welded to the front of a tank, enabling it to cut through hedgerows. These tanks became known as 'Rhinos'
July 6th 1944, General George S. Patton, Jr, arrived in France as head of Third Army, an army that he had neither seen nor had the chance to prepare. Much to his disappointment, he had missed D-Day, but he was finally going to have his chance to get into the fight. For months, he had been at the head of the phantom U.S. 1st Army group, part of 'Operation Fortitude'. In his opinion, he had done his penance for the 'slapping incident' and now he was straining at the leash.
Traveling with 'Willie' his bull terrier and his history of 'The Norman Conquest', Patton had boarded the C47 in England wondering if there was still going to be a war when he got to France. There was, and he was going to play a major part in it, but he would have to cool his heels a while longer.
He landed at an airstrip beside Omaha Beach and was escorted to Bradley's CP. The relationship between the two men was cordial, but Patton had been Bradley's boss in Sicily and now the tables were turned. Patton took a back seat during his meeting with Bradley. He kept quiet while Generals discussed tactics and poured over maps and situation reports. He was determined not to rock the boat. After all, he was at last in France and he desperately wanted to get into the action.
Map on display at Camp Patton
Apple Orchard, one original tree remains
Patton's third army HQ was an apple orchard on the outskirts of Nehou, a small village. This compound became known as 'Camp Patton'. Strict secrecy was to be maintained. No one was to know of the arrival of the great general. As far as the Germans were concerned he was still in England preparing for the real invasion in the Pas de Calais. That was probably the main reason for the secrecy, but it was widely rumored that George Patton was not to be given any limelight, on the strict orders of Eisenhower himself.
Sherman tank at Camp Patton
Monument at Camp Patton
It would be some weeks before Patton got into the action that he so craved.
Saint-Lo is the capital of the Manche region of Normandy and a vital traffic hub. In 1944, it had been a key strategic objective for American forces . Sitting at the center of a major road and rail network which connects Normandy and Brittany, it was to form a pivotal role in the American attempt to swing into Brittany and begin the encirclement of the enemy. 
St. Lo had played a pivotal role in Normandy battles through the ages, and has a history dating back to the 8th century. From the Vikings to the Germans, it had been taken and occupied many times, 
