re: A seriously underrated aspect of D-Day and the Allied offensive in France

quote:

---

Western France (and most of France in general) is mainly fields bordered by hedges or thin patches of woods. In other words, perfect for camping defenses to pick off advancing offensives.

---

The hedgerows were visible in the overhead photos the Allies used to study the area. However, there was a problem. In England these types of hedges were generally very short--they could see past them, step over them, etc. What the overhead photos didn't show was the the hedgerows in France were often very high, averaging 15 feet or so. Made for impossible visibilty, enemy hiding places, and difficult maneuvering.

quote:

---

Dudes had huge balls to get off the boats and storm the beach, can’t imagine the doors dropping and looking out and seeing what they saw.

---

Eisenhower wanted younger, newer troops in the first wave. Kids who didn't know what they were up against vs. battle-weary soldiers. He figured those who hadn't yet seen the horrors of war yet would wade right in (no pun intended).