Normandy Invasion Research Paper

During the Normandy invasion, First Lt. John “Red Dog” Dolan leads his troop to seize and hold the La Fiere Bridge from the advancing German Forces

BRIEF SYNOPSIS:

On June 6, 1944, D-Day, paratroopers jump from planes landing in Normandy. They are lead by First Lieutenant JOHN “RED DOG” DOLAN (27) Boston Irishman, who commands A company, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. They are on a mission to seize and hold the La Fiere Bridge over the Merderet River west of Ste. Mere-Eglise, with the goal of preventing the Germans from crossing and moving forward.

Members of the troop follow including, GEORGE PRESNELL, BILLY OWENS, and FRANK BUCK and the rest of A company paratroopers. Major General MATTHEW RIDGWAY (49) commands
JOHN MARR (24) and Private NORMAN CARTER (19) become separated from their troop. They receive help from the French resistance members, ARMAND CHANTALLE (44) AND MICHELLE MONTAND (25). They are hopeful about the arrival of the Americans.
Dolan spots a German commander MAJOR KLAUS HAUSER, who retreats to the Manor House, located next to the bridge. They have to seize the Manor House to get the bridge and causeway.

Dolan leads the assault. They have to cross an open field with no cover. After a fierce battle, which kills McGinity, the Germans wave a surrender flag. As they approach Hauser, a SNIPER shoots. Dolan fires back, and Hauser is shredded with bullets. Dolan and his men seize the house.

Now they have the bridge, but they have to hold the bridge as they wait for the Germans to lead their assault. They anticipate they will battle on the causeway. They prepare to defend it.

Marr and Carter join Dolan to patrol the causeway. Dolan sends Frank Buck on a fact-finding mission to find any of his men, who also may be lost. Instead, Buck sees German Tanks and hundreds of German Panzer-Grenadiers following the tanks. He races back to warn Dolan and the
Owens and Murphy aren’t sure what to do; if they should hold or pull back. In the battle Kellam is killed, making Dolan the Senior Officer. Murphy waits for orders from Dolan. Dolan scribbles down something on a note. Murphy races back to Owens, who reads the note: We Stay. There is no better place to die.

To Dolan’s surprise, they see a white flag with a Red Cross. The Germans wants a cease-fire to recover the wounded. Dolan agrees to the cease fire, but keeps a watchful eye.

Gliders, PFC CHARLES DEGLOPPER (22) and CAPTAIN JOHN SAULS (27) prepare to help the troops.

It’s June 7, 1944, D + 1, the glider infantry arrives over the Normandy Battlefield. Everyone prepares for another push by the Germans. There’s incoming fire. It’s a blood bath. Men are trapped. Deglopper makes a heroic charge to lead the glider men to safety. Although shot, he keeps advancing across the open field firing at the enemy, until a German machinegun hits him and he dies.
A determined Dolan isn’t willing to give up. He’s crossing the bridge. Platoons of American Sherman Tanks arrive. Dolan and Captain John Sauls lead the charge across the causeway, referred to as the Causeway of Death. Sherman Tanks rumble across the La Fiere Bridge and causeway. Sauls runs and fires. He makes it across. Lt. Presnell doesn’t make