On 6th June 1944 the Western Allies launched Operation Overlord, the invasion of occupied France. The assault was launched against 5 beaches in Normandy in North-West France by British, Canadian and American forces. The invasion by sea was spearheaded by British and American paratroopers that were dropped behind German lines to secure vital lines of communication in the early hours of the morning of the 6th June.
Thursday, 29 September 2011
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Panzer IV Zug in Frankreich, 1944
Today’s colourised image depicts a Panzer IV Ausf. H Zug of 8./Pz-Rgt. 3 (8th Company, Panzer Regiment 3) of the 2.Pz-Div. on manoeuvres near Amiens in early 1944.
The division had been sent to Amiens in late 1943 to refit and rearm after suffering heavy losses during a fighting retreat following the failure of Unternehmen Zitadelle (Operation Citadel, more commonly known as the Battle of Kursk).
When the invasion of Normandy began, the Division was held in reserve in the Somme on the mistaken belief that the Allies main offensive against the Pas de Calais was soon to begin. When this second offensive turned out to be a ruse they were transported to the front in Normandy, though the Division did not arrive until mid July.
The division had been sent to Amiens in late 1943 to refit and rearm after suffering heavy losses during a fighting retreat following the failure of Unternehmen Zitadelle (Operation Citadel, more commonly known as the Battle of Kursk).
When the invasion of Normandy began, the Division was held in reserve in the Somme on the mistaken belief that the Allies main offensive against the Pas de Calais was soon to begin. When this second offensive turned out to be a ruse they were transported to the front in Normandy, though the Division did not arrive until mid July.
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
V-1 Flying Bomb Testing at Peenemünde, 1943
Today's footage shows V-1 flying bombs being launched into the Baltic Sea from the V1 Catapult at Peenemünde Airfield, adjacent to Peenemünde Army Research Center (Heeresversuchsanstalt Peenemünde) where the V-2 and Wasserfall rockets were designed and tested.
Peenemünde Airfield itself was where the Luftwaffe tested several experimental aircraft, including the Heinkel He 176 and the Messerschmitt Me 163 rocket-propelled fighters.
Saturday, 3 September 2011
US Gun Cam Footage over Germany, 1945
Today's video is US gun cam footage taken over Germany in 1945. Unfortunately it is rather low resolution, but you can make out various horse-drawn wagons and at least one truck being strafed. The caption states these are farm vehicles under attack, but as the Heer used many forms of horse-drawn tranportation this claim cannot be verified.
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