Battle+of+Carentan


 * The Battle of the Carentan **

The Battle of Carentan was a battle between Nazi Germany and the US Army during World War II, as part of the Battle of Normandy. It took place on June 10 to June 15 of the year 1944 in Carentan, France. Carentan, which was just between Omaha and Utah Beaches, connected four major highways and a railroad, which made it one of the strategic points during the Battle of Normandy. Its capture was a very important American priority in the days immediately after D-Day.

Carentan was defended by the 6th Parachute Regiment, two German Osttruppen battalions and remnants of other German forces. Other German defenses, ordered to reinforce Carentan, were delayed by transport shortages and attacks by Allied aircrafts. The attacking 101st Airborne Division landed by parachute on June 6th as part of the American airborne landings in Normandy. The mission focus was to seize Carentan. The battle subsided when due to a lack of ammunition the German forces withdrew from Carentan on June 12, 1944. The capture of Carentan closed the gap between the Utah and Omaha beaches, the last gap between the D-Day landing zones. This was one of the most important moments in the Battle of Normandy. It removed any dangers and worries that the Germans might have been able to destroy the isolated Utah Beachhead.

The battle was a minor in the overall view of the war, however, it was a stepping stone that helped lead to the victory of the Allied Powers against Germany in WWII. In Carentan today, it’s know as a small, rural area with just about 6,000 people in population. The town is also known as a history reference site, from medieval times to World War II. Having its popular culture, Carentan is portrayed in many World War II themed games and movies, such as Call of Duty and Band of Brothers.