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| Sainte-Mère-Église / Geoff Sutton 2012 |
Sainte-Mère-Église
is a town in Northwest Normandy France. It has become well known for the site
of early landings of American paratroopers at 01:40 am—about an hour after
British troops took Pegasus Bridge.
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| Sainte-Mère-Église / Geoff Sutton 2012 |
Before the troops
landed on the beaches, British and American paratroopers landed inland to attack
strategic targets. This village, named after the historic church of St Mary,
was on a route that would allow Germans to attack the American invasion force
landing on Omaha and Utah beaches.
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| Inside the church, Sainte-Mère-Église/ Geoff Sutton 2012 |
The Americans
were from the U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. Unfortunately, the town was
on fire, which made the paratroopers visible thus many were killed before they
landed. Some landed in trees. One well-known paratrooper hung from the church
spire-- Private John Steele of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
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| Depiction of Steele/ Photo by Geoff Sutton 2012 |
Steele acted as
if he were dead. He was taken down and kept as a prisoner. Later, he escaped.
By 0500, the Americans took the town and held it until reinforcements arrived
from Utah Beach the next day, 7 June.
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| Inside the church/ Sutton 2012 |
Steele is honoured by a nearby tavern, Auberge John Steele, near the town square.
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