D-Day from the American Perspective | Bird's Eye View

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Sources:
Balcoski, J., (2006). Utah Beach: The Amphibious Landing and Airborne Operations on D-day, June 6, 1944, Stackpole Books
Fowler, W., (2014). D-Day: The first 24 hours Omaha and Utah. Amber Books Ltd
Kershaw, A., (2003). The Bedford Boys: One American Town's Ultimate D-day Sacrifice
Masters, C., (1995). Glidermen of Neptune: The American D-Day Glider Attack. Southern Illinois University Press
Morison, S., (1957) The Invasion of France and Germany 1944-1945
US Army., (2014). The Battle for Omaha Beach, D-Day, June 6, 1944: The Official History by the U.S. Army. Boston Hill Press
Jenkins, R., (2014). WWII Soldier Stories VIII: True Airborne Stories of the US Paratroopers, from D-Day to Operation Market Garden. Success First Publishing
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[@TheArmchairHistorian]

Support our channel by clicking the link and start building your own GoatGuns collection today: goatguns.com/? We plan on covering the UK beaches next, and after that, Canada! FREE New Armchair Historian Video Game: store.steampowered.com/app/1679290/Fire__Maneuver/ Sign up for Armchair History TV today! armchairhistory.tv/ Promo code: ARMCHAIRHISTORY for 50% OFF Merchandise available at store.armchairhistory.tv/ Check out the new Armchair History TV Mobile App too! apps.apple.com/us/app/armchair-history-tv/id1514643375 play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=tv.uscreen.armchairhistorytv Discord: discord.gg/thearmchairhistorian Twitter: twitter.com/ArmchairHist

[@totalgamingdomin8ion972]

Alright!!

[@VaxlandMapping101]

Babe, wake up *Armchair Historian just uploaded.*

[@WisconAvgeek]

I love this videos ❤

[@okonkwopaula5551]

Please do a video about oil and the many conflicts it sparked

[@gigachad-sv4hv]

Hey arm chair you forgot the 28 th infantry division on your wall there were most known for the Battle of the bulge and through the oldest infantry unit that’s still in action today

[@ihavetowait90daystochangem67]

The D-Day Invasion on the American Side alone is more documented than the entire history of my country

[@Mk18_40mm]

What's your country

[@residentelect]

Because they hit the most well defended sector, therfore suffering more casualties etc. However, if any one of the landings had failed the whole operation could well have crumbled.

[@TR-cr2xj]

what is your home country?

[@frederickthegreat5991]

@@residentelect no cause it an American attack.

[@Spider-Man-2099]

Probably, but we'd need to know your country to know if you speak the truth

[@michaeltnk1135]

My great grandpa was there. He was 24 at the time. He left his wife and his newborn child (my grandma) to go fight in the war. He stormed Utah Beach, then marched through France, and subsequently western Germany. He lived a long life and passed away in 2003

[@gamergod3798]

U got any cool stories?

[@erel7396]

@@gamergod3798 is all he just listed above ain’t enough?

[@Tripintrios]

@@erel7396I think he meant any more

[@dritzzdarkwood4727]

Mein great grandpa was also there. Defending. He took many Tommies with him, jah?

[@michaeltnk1135]

@@gamergod3798 Unfortunately not. I never met him. He passed months before I was born

[@yonghuanwang2860]

The armchair Historian is really impressive for animating a 16 minute video just within 6 days

[@yeetproductions1631]

oversimplified: takes almost a year or above to produce one video griffin: *hold my beer*

[@space4166]

Well you can tell it’s low quality

[@Ifoundmyoldacc]

If I’m correct he has a team of people

[@TheArmchairHistorian]

It takes us over a month to produce the video, we have multiple teams of animators working simultaneously.

[@raventhecraven1306]

Omg Griffin Johnson my favorite KZbinr.

[@TrayDyer38]

As a kid in the 70’s WW2 was still apart of our collective consciousness. My grandfather who was in the Bougainville campaign in South Pacific was only 57 in 1977, when I would go into his room and pull out the little box that 60 photos from that battle. Toy makers sold WW2 toy soldiers and I had more WW2 soldiers, play guns, helmets, comic books than I did star wars toys. Back then you knew better, almost instinctively never to ask about the war to him, or even bring it up. He would be 103 today. There is a disconnect with WW2 with last 2 generations because of the time that’s elapsed. In 20 years, WW2 will be a far removed war, of a long gone generation much the same way we view WW1 now.

[@blockmasterscott]

I always hit my granddad up for stories. He used to let me wear his canvas backpack while playing war in the early 70s. I remember all of us kids wearing gear that our granddads wore in WW2 while playing war lol. To this day I can remember the smell of that backpack. The canvas on WW2 gear had that special smell. To us kids in the late 60s and early 70s, WW2 was "the war".

[@user-yd6cl3ue8m]

Ya I've noticed this same thing. I was born in 92. Grew up the same way that's mentioned. Had GI joes and so did my friends. M1 garands grenades etc were included. Also has to Thompson's and m16's. A lot of was because my dad was in the Army subsequently my friends were the same but my brother who I'm just 10 years older than grew up playing with star wars stuff and didn't care about saving private Ryan or band of brothers when me and my buddies watched it. We looked up to those men and our fathers. Wanted to be just like them and many of us did just that. It's not cool to be a masculine war fighter no more though and we will lose our country for it.

[@walterwhite7640]

Griffin out here producing videos faster than the soviet january offensive moved.

[@TheArmchairHistorian]

2 videos for January, 3 videos for February, and 4 videos from March onward!

[@walterwhite7640]

@@TheArmchairHistorian lightining speed👌

[@pyeitme508]

@@TheArmchairHistorian woah 😳

[@ThatoneAustralianPerson]

Blitzkrieg.

[@blockmasterscott]

I always felt that one thing that helped the Americans a LOT was the fact that a lot of the young men had grown up in the Depression and were not new to hardships. I've read accounts of a lot of them being happy to get 3 square meals a day once they joined the military. I cannot even begin to imagine that.

[@Ohmygodstfu2045]

“Soft times create weak men, weak men create hard times, hard times create strong men.”

[@GigaChadlovesandcares]

@@Ohmygodstfu2045 And strong men create prosperous times, the way how Germany, the Soviet Union and so many other European nations managed to rebuild themselves and recover even with millions of dead and whole cities in ruins says a lot about human perseverance. Humanity is said to have limits, but in my opinion it’s not always the case.

[@Ohmygodstfu2045]

@@GigaChadlovesandcares Exactly

[@TheHistoryUnderground]

That did an outstanding job of showing a bird's eye view of the D-Day landings. Hope that we'll be seeing a follow up of the British and Canadian sectors. Well done!

[@kidcenci1880]

Would love to see this

[@jcb3393]

yes to seeing the resolution of the cliffhanger at the end of this video: The British and Canadian sectors of Operation: Overlord.

[@Firefighter72BG]

4th ID veteran here. 12th infantry battalion was my unit it brought me great joy to see the battalion crest and colors. we are taught the unit history and its for sure something I'm proud of. the men before me where hard charging badass's. motto: Having been led by love of country. Steadfast and loyal.

[@averagejoe8358]

Can the Battle of Caen be talked about next? Really bloody battle, took a few attempts for the German stronghold to be taken. Not to mention the fact that the RAF and USAF made the terrain unpassable for tanks, making the battle even longer. Either this, or the Dresden Bombings from the German perspective.

[@samuel10125]

Allied command knew very well British and Canadian mainly British forces would encounter 70% of German Armour and that played a part in why Caen was so difficult.

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

@@samuel10125 Yes with 600 tanks and Waffen SS troops stationed there it was bound to be a nightmare for any attacker.

[@samuel10125]

@Bullet-Tooth Tony Americans got it on the beach Brits an commonwealth got it off the beach.

[@randomlyentertaining8287]

What's sad is a friend of mine's grandfather was at Dresden during the firebombing. My friend said his dad talked about Dresden all the time. Sadly, by the time he thought of and got around to trying to document his experience, his dementia had gotten too bad and he pretty much needed to be led along while he talked.

[@rccrforeverfrrdfortuneshav9823]

USAAF

[@xaxman]

A close family friend who was married to my grandmothers cousin, was in the third wave at Omaha. He was a combat engineer and was to run a bulldozer to clear a short runway. He said bullets were bouncing of the bulldozer blade and when he was finishing one end, they were already landing planes on the other end.

[@domnetwon1830]

One thing to note regarding the Utah beach landings, the original landing zone was chosen because there were more causeways leading off the beach than the zone the invasion force accidently landed at. Despite being more heavily defended, the ability to quickly get lots of men and vehicles inland was deemed worth the risk of facing tougher defence! Great video as always!

[@sharpshooter13ify]

An interesting fact about the botched landing at Utah came from the man who ultimately lead the force there general Teddy Roosevelt Jr., he managed to reroute the entire force meant to follow them to his position, directing the battle and rally the troops all while walking the beaches cane in one hand and pistol in the other having reportedly told the men when they landed “we’ll start the war from right here.” He won the congressional Medal of Honor for that

[@Fingered22]

The absolute mad lad deserves just as much of a memorial as his father for his actions for the US in WW1 and WW2,

[@AB-bg7os]

Or just nepotism

[@loyalpiper]

I visited his grave at the american cemetery in Normandy. The only one with a medal of honour

[@JunkPhuJP]

Fun sad fact: when the message made it to him that he won that medal, he was already dead of a heart attack. He was also the only general-ranked officer to land on the beach personally.

[@jeffreylc]

He was “awarded” not “won”. It’s not a race or contest.

[@demonicaxeman7264]

I had the honor of shooting an M1 Garand rifle at a shooting range a few months ago. The sound of the bullet is beautiful and the pinging sound from the depleted magazine made me scream, "Just like in the movies!" Honestly, I loved that M1 more than my AR-15.

[@WatcherMovie008]

For anyone curious, the 506th of the 101st Airborne is the same group we watch and focus on in Bands of Brothers.

[@samcrea]

Great video as always! Do you think you could do a video on the Mexican American war? been curious about it but I haven’t seen any videos about it.

[@susanafinkbeiner1913]

@Content_enjoyer yeah I agree

[@Elliesbow]

I’m always down for a video of Mexico getting it’s ass kicked

[@MrHSwager]

My grandfather was supposed to set up a field hospital on Omaha at +4 hours. When he arrived none of the machine gun nests had been taken and he spent the day as a regular combat medic getting the wounded back on the landing craft.

[@ivanlowjones]

I spent 3 years as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division at Ft. Bragg in the mid 80's. I met many WW2 82nd Airborne vets back then who jumped into Normandy and later Holland during Operation Market Garden. Those guys were in their 60's and 70's then, and they still had that Airborne swagger. AATW!

[@bobbobby3085]

This channel has evolved so much so happy to be along for the ride

[@opticfloyyyd]

My step great grandfather stormed Normandy. Never met him but my dad did. He told him about his experience only once, and that was all my dad needed. May he rest in peace.

[@CastleKingside]

This video was not only educational, it was highly emotional. To think of all those people and their sacrifice brought tears to my eyes. War is horrible for all of us. I hope one day we can all learn to share this world with one another. Thank you for sharing this piece of history with us. Peace and God Bless.

[@democraticrepublicofsprout7263]

My great grandpa was part of the 82nd airborne division that landed early on D day.

[@lucianoosorio5942]

“War is where the young and stupid are tricked by the old and bitter into killing each other.” Niko Bellic

[@sergioventura2595]

Roman are you sleeping

[@GigaChadlovesandcares]

While that has a factual basis, the allies waged a war to free a enslaved Europe from Nazi tyranny and to annihilate the German war machine. The war was stupid, sure. But it was justifiable, Nazi Germany and the people who followed it simply went mad.

[@TheWarbirdMistress]

So nice to see a top-down view that isn't just staring at a map from directly above; you gave plenty of character to it. This is what I was trying to do with my "Walk through the War" series and I wasted months and months trying to get it right: you guys are always on the ball and ahead of the curve!

[@Hipp0campus_1]

My dream would be an interactive map (like google maps) where you can scroll in and out as you like and have a play button to start/pause the action. And then be able to watch whatever part of the operation you like.

[@TheWarbirdMistress]

@@Hipp0campus_1 That would be awesome, indeed! I can't imagine the work that would have to go into programming such a thing. I would like to see Google Earth create a downloadable timeline effect that would let one do that, though.

[@colegilbert673]

nice new video! cant wait for uk and canada!

[@theallseeingmaster]

maybe with a side story of James Doohan and his sniper duels.

[@matthewjay660]

3:53 Griffin, love your channel. With that said, the town "Sainte-Mère-Église" is missing a letter "e" in "Sainte" on your map. French teacher here. 🙋🏻‍♂️👨🏻‍🏫 Merci for all your hard work. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@binxballstudio446]

Love my country 🇺🇸 love Canada 🇨🇦 love uk 🇬🇧

[@KurtAustin2448]

I've seen it put this way regarding the pre D-day paratrooper drops: You've got a bunch of American infantry behind enemy lines, they've got orders to cause chaos for the Germans, and there's no adult supervision.

[@mako88sb]

Very well done. Unfortunately this video doesn’t mention anything at all about the 743rd battalion that landed their DD-Sherman’s conventionally or the other regular Sherman’s and Sherman/dozer’s that were also landed. They weren’t as effective as hoped for because of that interlocking fire that’s shown that was helped by the curved beach. Most of them were essentially pinned for hours. They did contribute a lot more once the draws were taken. The 743rd was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for its actions that day. An excellent video by WW2TV came out recently that goes into great detail about the DD-Sherman’s at Omaha. Well worth watching.

[@soccerguy2433]

Excellent content as usual!

[@Psychonaut165]

I like the relatable anecdotes about the troops who just dig in waiting for reinforcements. That’s me at work sometimes 🫡

[@onEmEmbErstudios]

I love this new Bird's-Eye Perspective. Even it looks a bit like Operation Room

[@kostakatsoulis2922]

For a topic thats been covered so thoroughly, you guys did a great job giving a new perspective you don't see that often! Thanks!

[@katjagolden893]

Both my grandfathers were part of D-Day. Grandpa Golden was a Colonel during WW2. & was training at FT Campbell KY - 101st Airborne. My 20yr Cole, is now in the 101st. He said there are still tributes to the 101st Airborne in Europe. One being in the Netherlands.

[@lordgarion514]

The 101st still existing is literally a tribute in itself. During a war, we make as many of ever type of unit as needed. After the war is over, they obviously reduce the number of troops drastically. They keep the names of the units that did way better than "average".

[@katjagolden893]

@@lordgarion514 - my son says there is still tributes to the 101st all over Europe. In Sept his unit went to some ceremony in The Netherlands that the Dutch did to celebrate the 101st. Fun Fact: my Grandpa Golden trained at the 101st before shipping off to Europe during WWII. He was a Colonel in the army

[@JunkPhuJP]

Been years, but I think the line goes… “SERGENT!!! THE GUNS AREN’T HERE!!!” “WHAT?!?” “THE GUNS AREN’T HERE! THEY MUST HAVE MOVED THEM INLAND!” “WELL HELL WE CAN’T STAY HERE!!!”

[@gunsandcommissions]

What a nightmare for those soldiers. Amazing bravery on their part.

[@Ohmygodstfu2045]

British and Canadian Birds Eye view next. I want to see what they went through. Sincerely an American

[@controllerplayer2091]

Hey Griffin. Can you please make a video on the Yugoslav wars? You examined them a bit in another of your videos, but it was such a confusing conflict, and I think it warrants a full video.

[@maxy1172]

I kinda wish we could get more detail from the British and commonwealth forces since it always has to be the Americans

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

Especially the British and Canadians at Caen

[@loganhoffman8394]

This was insanely well produced. I’m blown away. Well done!

[@nethascotx24]

we’ve had the American perspective, we’ve had the german perspective. But, at long last, we have the pigeon perspective

[@Wuzzup129]

Gotta say I'm loving the new intros. Well done to the animators.

[@GMKGoji01]

My uncle from my mother’s side always told me about the D-Day landings, because he knows I love learning about WW2. He’s been to France long ago, and went to Normandy where these landings took place. I don’t know if I told you this before, I just wanted to remind you that my uncle likes mentioning D-Day immediately as I mention WW2.

[@JavierCR25]

I can’t and don’t want to imagine what these men went through…

[@LarsPallesen]

Thank you for your stellar work. As a history buff it's always a pleasure to discover a new episode from The Armchair Historian, and the animations really help the story come alive.

[@zipsey]

My father is in the 29th infantry. Two nine lets go is their motto. Love the continuity:)

[@scaryhobbit211]

This is really helpful, considering one of my side hobbies involves lining up missions from various WW2 games in historical order. I can't wait for the British and Canadian videos!

[@718Insomniac]

Man...this was so good! I wanted this episode to keep going. So immersive. Great job as always to your team!

[@kevinmeehan6907]

I know you probably won’t see this, but I’m a huge history buff but got my degree in another thing. Your videos reignited my love for military history. Thank you for this.

[@bergercg]

That sponsor statement hits you like a sniper bullet: unexpectedly

[@ZOANOM]

Thank you for the amazing details. My grandfather was 501 PIR HQ Company, and actually designed the Geronimo patch they wore into battle. I was too young to have interest in talking to him about it, he passed away in 1981, but as I age, my thirst for the details of what he did grows.

[@whos-the-stiff]

This has now become my favourite D-Day video, bar none. The graphics and the birds eye view along with the top notch narration make this required viewing for D-Day buffs.

[@slavic_viking9638]

operation Bagration or the battle for Moscow from bird's- eye perspective would be interesting

[@jdoe3006]

The Airborne was instrumental to this success despite the high casualty, its not like it is their fault to be spotted by anti air batteries and be dropped in incorrect drop zones. They wrecked havock in the back lines and attracted German defenders away from the coast.

[@zacharyparker556]

I really am liking the new intro's as well as the latest topics, thank you for keeping my history knowledge fresh.

[@matthewdockter2424]

I'd love to see The Battle of The Budge done in a similar manner. This is captivating!

[@Jaeger958]

General Norman Cota headed to the beach himself when he saw how desperate the situation was. He landed on the beach walked across it to the seawall and started organizing troops. Once the men blew a whole in barbedwire they needed to take out an MG emplacement one man volunteered and was cut down by said machine gun while running towards it. At this moment all the eyes were on the general and his said to the men: "Gentlemen, we are being killed on the beaches. Let us go inland and be killed." being said that he lead the charge up the beach and managed to break through.

[@jcarr9865]

Please do this for the British and Canadian troops as well

[@markmobley3472]

Very insightful. Best overview I have ever seen.

[@aaron5893]

Can you do a in-depth video on the battle of Khalkhin Gol?

[@yungboi7500]

Can we get a unit comparison video again?

[@RC-gf8hh]

Fantastic content!!

[@jorhed2285]

Excellent! 🔥

[@AndrewPonti]

Very well done. I've seen much on the topic but this was a good way to bring a lot together. I never knew about the 2 destroyers that made a run and bombarded the defenses. They surely helped save many that day. Can't wait for the UK and Canadian ones!

[@sheltr9735]

Excellent!

[@James-zg2nl]

I loved your map animations, perfect visual aids to go with your narration, especially with the use of the unit patches 👍 Cheers

[@Jayjay-qe6um]

A museum about the Utah landings is located at Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, and there is one dedicated to the activities of the U.S. airmen at Sainte-Mere-Eglise.

[@Josephbyrnehistory]

Great work. The animation in these now is incredible

[@hereforthechips7710]

That was FANTASTIC!!!

[@jonmajarucon51]

Well done!!!

[@theallseeingmaster]

I just learned more about Utah Beach than I ever learned from my Dad, who was there.

[@bhiei]

Really good, need a part2 to this one

[@pauldornbusch6408]

Really Enjoy your videos, Thank You

[@rein-gard]

Love the content

[@chaosfire321]

Loved this vid!

[@brokenbridge6316]

Nicely done video

[@aidankenealy4556]

Griffen, you and this channel are fantastic. Loved the video. As always very well produced and awesome to watch.

[@IronBelH]

Awesome video that makes understanding this monumental undertaking much easier than everything else I’ve seen or read. Thanks.

[@humanbeingcreature8]

Peace to you- your videos are always informative and engaging...

[@quintorezwalker5210]

One of the Greatest Allies Invasion of 1944 when I remember two movies based on D-Day invasion including "The Longest Day" and "Saving Private Ryan" they were both the greatest.

[@normafox5742]

great video--looking forward to the next in the D-Day series!

[@stevec69]

Finally!!!! Thank You

[@hayeshine]

Great video! Thanks

[@FrNMGuy]

I'm really enjoying the new panning to you and your lovely chair. Nice touch yall!

[@Bullet-Tooth-Tony-]

You should do a Battle of Caen video.. over 8 Panzer divisions, 7 infantry divisions and 3 heavy tank battalions fought there

[@thelegend9098]

Love your content.

[@randomchips7008]

This is a great video! I love these overhead shots. You should do more!

[@johneyon5257]

brilliant!

[@SB-yq8uo]

Hi Griffin, great production

[@charlesdarienzo6686]

best video yet. I like this format.

[@1999Nickster]

Awsome vid !

[@uwa73]

Thanks!

[@Dipp182]

Love the RUSE feel you have on the Bird's view on these videos! Keep it up

[@armaansingh6466]

The quality of these videos and the intro scene has improved a lot .Just taking a look back at the old videos tells this

[@arnierebusquillo6371]

Love the new Background

[@jellyburgersfries5227]

THIS VIDEO WAS SO GOOD

[@Ahmethankose-nn6gv]

i love this channel and its history

[@fromulus]

This is a fantastic look at a story told many times.

[@mharley3791]

It’s crazy because we think of these fights as going flawlessly but to hear the details, you realize just how tough, brave and close to catastrophe the landings were

[@bawicz0]

Amazing