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The days after the Normandy landings showcased some of the finest acts of courage, gallantry and ferocity in World War II. Airborne units that dropped amid much chaos the night before D-Day [COLOR=var(--gold2)](Read our earlier article: Jumping into chaos)[/COLOR] had to scramble to capture and hold vital locations behind German lines. Hanging onto these locations tooth and nail allowed the forces coming ashore at the five beaches to link up into a single, secure foothold from where the liberation of Europe could begin. This article will detail the heroic and bloody charge of Lieutenant Colonel Robert Cole, which allowed the 101st “Screaming Eagles” Airborne Division to capture the town of [COLOR=var(--gold2)]Carentan[/COLOR], allowing Utah and Omaha Beaches to link up with each other.
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The 101st Airborne Division, still reeling from numerous misjumps and heavy casualties the night before D-Day, was the nearest Allied unit to Carentan, and was thus charged with capturing the town. The attack would pit them against two battalions of their German counterparts, the elite paratroopers of the 6th Parachute Regiment from the [COLOR=var(--gold2)]2. Fallschirmjäger Division[/COLOR], who were supplemented by survivors from other units, including Eastern European soldiers who were either conscripted into or volunteered to serve in the German army. (The liberation of Carentan was also depicted in Episode three of the famous Band of Brothers miniseries.)
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The furious charge, driven by the pent-up frustration and anger of the previous day of helpless suffering, drove the men across an open area about two football field's length and into the farm. The savage attack killed many Germans and forced the rest to flee the buildings and run into the hedgerows behind them. Cole's men now held the farmhouses, but the Germans were still in the hedgerows, and there was no let-up in the fighting. More and more paratroopers moved up from behind, joining Cole and his men in the bitter fight for every foot of land, including one quickly designated as the “[COLOR=var(--gold2)]Cabbage Patch[/COLOR]”. Sometimes, American and German soldiers were located on the two sides of the same hedgerow, firing at each other at point blank range through a layer of green vegetation.
Lieutenant Colonel Robert Cole was awarded the Medal of Honor for leading his men across the causeway and capturing the farm despite suffering appalling casualties. His citation reads as follows:
[COLOR=var(--gold2)]“For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty on 11 June 1944, in France. Lt. Col. Cole was personally leading his battalion in forcing the last 4 bridges on the road to Carentan when his entire unit was suddenly pinned to the ground by intense and withering enemy rifle, machinegun, mortar, and artillery fire placed upon them from well-prepared and heavily fortified positions within 150 yards of the foremost elements. After the devastating and unceasing enemy fire had for over 1 hour prevented any move and inflicted numerous casualties, Lt. Col. Cole, observing this almost hopeless situation, courageously issued orders to assault the enemy positions with fixed bayonets. With utter disregard for his own safety and completely ignoring the enemy fire, he rose to his feet in front of his battalion and with drawn pistol shouted to his men to follow him in the assault. Catching up a fallen man's rifle and bayonet, he charged on and led the remnants of his battalion across the bullet-swept open ground and into the enemy position. His heroic and valiant action in so inspiring his men resulted in the complete establishment of our bridgehead across the Douve River. The cool fearlessness, personal bravery, and outstanding leadership displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Cole reflect great credit upon himself and are worthy of the highest praise in the military service.”
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Cole's bayonet charge | Newsletter Archive | History Tours (beachesofnormandy.com)