Great article! The fratricide was the navy firing on the transport aircraft. I don’t believe they were informed of the operation. Also the reason for the black and white invasion stripes painted on aircraft for the Normandy invasion.
Interesting that the army almost disbanded the whole airborne concept until a bunch of test drops were conducted after WWII. The 187 Airborne Regimental Combat Team (now part of the 101st Airborne) working with the new TO&E and tactics conducted 2 successful airborne operations in the Korean War.
A staff historian at Army U Press is working on what I think will be a wonderful book on the airborne post-war and the influence of its WWII officers. It will be titled, "The Airborne Mafia."
Great read and interesting subject matter. I can't imagine those American troops who accidently shot down their own guys. The regret carried forward through life must have been unbearable. As far as the poll goes, I always default to Patton. The more I read about the man, the more I trust him. He was pure of heart and mind and only wanted to win.
What I don’t see noted though I’m sure you’re aware of it, is the recurring prolonged use of specially trained airborne troops as infantry - a challenge that continued in succeeding conflicts.
I started to write on just that while I was drafting this article, but it started to jog too far off the nerve and I cut it.
Speaking for WWII, there were several problems with withdrawing airborne units after use in their headlining role, most all of them having to do with logistics, and some with infantry shortages. The original plan for Market Garden was to withdraw the airborne divisions within a week. They stayed until mid-November (for the 82nd, November 12.)
Great article! The fratricide was the navy firing on the transport aircraft. I don’t believe they were informed of the operation. Also the reason for the black and white invasion stripes painted on aircraft for the Normandy invasion.
Interesting that the army almost disbanded the whole airborne concept until a bunch of test drops were conducted after WWII. The 187 Airborne Regimental Combat Team (now part of the 101st Airborne) working with the new TO&E and tactics conducted 2 successful airborne operations in the Korean War.
A staff historian at Army U Press is working on what I think will be a wonderful book on the airborne post-war and the influence of its WWII officers. It will be titled, "The Airborne Mafia."
Awesome! Great work. I’m a retired army airborne guy and very proud of our history.
Great read and interesting subject matter. I can't imagine those American troops who accidently shot down their own guys. The regret carried forward through life must have been unbearable. As far as the poll goes, I always default to Patton. The more I read about the man, the more I trust him. He was pure of heart and mind and only wanted to win.
What I don’t see noted though I’m sure you’re aware of it, is the recurring prolonged use of specially trained airborne troops as infantry - a challenge that continued in succeeding conflicts.
I started to write on just that while I was drafting this article, but it started to jog too far off the nerve and I cut it.
Speaking for WWII, there were several problems with withdrawing airborne units after use in their headlining role, most all of them having to do with logistics, and some with infantry shortages. The original plan for Market Garden was to withdraw the airborne divisions within a week. They stayed until mid-November (for the 82nd, November 12.)
Thanks for reading and commenting!