Our paratroopers had many challenges when they jumped early in the morning of June 6th beside the darkness, fog, and inclement weather.  The Germans had invaded France several years before so were familiar with the the ancient hedgerows which were confusing in navigation for the Allied troops. The paratroopers were scattered all over the landscape in orchards, town squares and in church steeples.   They had cricket clickers to use as  a signal in locating  their buddies.   The Germans had flooded the low land and  many paratroopers landed in the water, swamp , or marches.  The small, slow moving Le Merderet  River was  swollen 3 to 4 times its usual size and flow.

This tiny seemingly unimportant  bridge  was vitally important to the mission because the troops landing on the beach would need it for the march through France and ultimately to Berlin.

Battle raged for 4 days with a victory for the Allied forces but at a terrible cost in lives.

Next year, Dale Dyer will release  the first ever film about this battle.  It will be called “No Better Place to Die.” That comment  was said by an officer on site, but I can’t find a name.

Thus ended the fight for the causeway at La Fiére. Laced with individual stories of both heroism and faintheartedness, the tale, with all its confusion, error and misjudgment, shows human strength and frailty in all its diversity. History Net

“The battle for La Fiere Causeway is probably the bloodiest small unit struggle in the                          experience of American Arms. ”

60 men gave their lives and 529 would wounded in the four day battle June 6-9

My brother, Sgt. George B. Tullidge received a mortal hip wound while fighting to take the bridge.  He was given a direct soldier to soldier transfusion due to his  deadly loss of blood.

He was placed on a hospital  ship headed for the UK , but he  gave his life either on the ship or in the hospital on D-Day +2.  He was buried at Cambridge American Cemetery, a long way from Virginia and a long way from  his buddies buried in Normandy!

George willingly gave up his life for all of us and the freedom we have today.

“They willingly gave up their tomorrow                                                                                                 For our today!’

http://www.AParatroopersFaith.org    (Visit the website about my brother.