Battle of Graignes

Battle of Graignes
Part of the American airborne landings in Normandy
Date June 10–12, 1944 Location Graignes, France Result German victory
Belligerents
United States	Nazi Germany
Commanders and leaders
Charles D. Johnston Leroy D. Brummitt	Werner Ostendorff
Strength
182 paratroopers of the 3rd Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment	17th SS Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen
Casualties and losses
32 dead	100 dead, 200 wounded (est.)

The Battle of Graignes was part of the American airborne landings in Normandy during the early stages of Operation Overlord in World War II, fought between June 10–12, 1944 in Graignes, France. During the engagement, American paratroopers of the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division held the town for two days against the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen. This action delayed the 17th Panzergrenadier's counterattack on Carentan, which was repulsed at the Battle of Bloody Gulch on June 13. After retaking Graignes, the German troops massacred 44 civilians, a number of prisoners of war taken in the capture of an American aid station, and set fire to the town.

Shortly after 02:00 hours on D-Day, Tuesday, 6 June 1944, twelve planeloads of American paratroopers from the 3rd Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division, were scattered throughout the marshes south of Carentan. They were supposed to have been dropped eighteen miles to the northwest at drop zone “T” near Amfreville, but instead ended-up in the vicinity of the French village of Graignes. Theirs was the worst misdrop of any U.S. airborne unit on D-Day.

By 1000 hours, twenty-five paratroopers under the command of 507th Captain Leroy D. Brummitt had gathered in the village. Two hours later, more 3rd Battalion/507th men arrived led by Major Charles D. Johnston. Because the troopers were deep behind enemy lines and far from their drop zone, the decision was made to remain where they had landed and defend Graignes.

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