Situated on a main supply road used by the Germans, this little town played a pivotal role in the landings at the beaches of Normandy. At 0140 on D-Day, American paratroopers were air-dropped to take the village but sustained heavy fire. In an infamous incident recounted in the movie, The Longest Day, Corp John Steele actually dangled attached to his parachute on the church spire, while the fighting went on down below. He was later taken prisoner. There were other intense battles in this marshy region and again the Allied Forces displayed remarkable heroism as the enemy was ordered not to retreat. The Battle of Normandy was pivotal in taking back Europe from Hitler's army.
