82e airborne division (the United States)

The 82e airborne division US - 82nd Airborne Division - is a division of parachutists of the armed with the United States of America. It was distinguished at the time of the Débarquement in Normandy, it also took part in the Opération Market Garden and the Bataille of the Ardennes. In 2003, it took part in the conquest of the Iraq.

The First World War

In the beginning, it was about a division of infantry. The 82e division of infantry - 82nd Infantry Division - was made up in August 1917 with Camp Gordon (Georgia), with men coming from all the States, from where the nickname “ All-Americans ”. It entered to shift to France in 1918 or it have 1.298 killed to the combat and 6.248 wounded. It was dissolved post-war period.

The Second world war

The March 25th 1942, the unit is reconstituted in Louisiana like division of infantry under the command of Omar Bradley. In August 1942, this last, indicated for another function, is replaced by the general sergeant Matthew B. Ridgway. Division is reorganized and becomes then the first American airborne division. August 15th, it takes the name of 82 Airborne Division. In October 42, it settles in Fort Bragg (North Carolina). It is attached still nowadays to the {{XVIIIe}} American airborne body.

North Africa

In May 1943, division unloads with Casablanca (Morocco) and joined the Tunisia.

Italy

July 9th, 1943, the 505e regiment of division, under the orders of colonel Gavin, and the 11, the 504e are parachuted close to Froze within the framework of the operation Husky (unloading in Sicily).

In September 1943, 2500 men of division, under the orders of colonel Gavin, jump night in the Golfe of Salerno within the framework of the Avalanche operation.

October 1st, 43, division enters to Naples.

Battle of Normandy

In April 44, division is transported to England for the Overlord operation. It is then consisted of the 505e, 507e and 508e regiment of parachuted infantry ( Parachute Infantry Regiment ) - as well as the 504e which was reconstituted after its losses in Italy - 325e airborne regiments ( Glider Infantry Régiment ), of three anti-aircraft artillery battalion and field artillery battalions.

With the 101 {{E}} airborne division, it jumps on the Western side of the zone of unloading. A detachment of the unit seizes Holy-Mother-Church in the night from June 5th to 6th 1944.

The scouts ( pathfinders ) of the 82e and 101e airborne divisions, equipped with radio beacons and means of communication, had started from RAF North Witham the evening of June 5th, 1944, to mark out the zones on which were to jump the large one of the troops.

detailed Article: Operations Albany and Boston

Operation Market Garden

In September 1944, under the orders of the young general James Mr. Gavin (37 years) called “jumping Jim”, division takes part in the operation Market Garden, more airborne big operation of the war. Its mission is to seize the bridges of Grave and Nimègue.

Battle of the Ardennes

Of the December 16th, 1944 to at the end of January 1945: In reserve in the area of Rheims, division is directed towards the Ardennes Belgian and engaged in the area of Stavelot. It takes part in the combat of Gleize and Stoumont.

1945

In February 1945, it fights in the Ruhr then returns in France for reconstitution.

In April 1945, it is on the Elba in Germany and operates the junction with the Red Army .

Beginning May 1945, it releases the camp of Neuengamme and the majority of these kommandos.

After the armistice, it is sent to Berlin.

During this program, she deplored 1.619 killed with the combat, 6.560 wounded and 332 died their wounds.

Santo Domingo

In April 1965, division is committed in an operation in Dominican Republic in prey with a civil war.

War of Vietnam

In February 1968, following the Offensive of Tết, a brigade of division is sent to Hué.

In 22 months of presence, it 184 killed and 1.009 wounded with the combat.

War of the Gulf (1990-1991)

It takes part in this conflict. In particular, one as of its brigades (the second brigade) is placed under operational control of the French Division Daguet.

War in Iraq

Arrived at the Middle East during the winter 2003, the airborne 82e received for mission the stabilization of the Iraqi west sunnite, in particular the town of Falloujah. They are men of this division who opened fire on a demonstration at the beginning of the summer 2004, starting the insurrection in this city become the symbol of the islamist insurrection and baassist in Iraq.

Aid operations in Louisiana in 2005

Following the disaster caused by the Hurricane Katrina, 5.000 parachutists took part the Help!. Their center of operations was on the international Aéroport of the New-Orleans.

Structure in 2005 and 2007

Nowadays, the 82nd Airborne Division is one of the components of the XVIIIe American airborne body. It counts in 2005 three Brigade S of combat:

1st Brigade/504th Parachute Infantry Regiment;
2nd Brigade/325th Airborne Infantry Regiment;
3rd Brigade/505th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

According to the plans of reorganization US Army, it is organized around four combat brigades and of a brigade of the US Army Aviation in 2007.

Commanders

Commander: (with creation) Major-general Matthew B. Ridgway

Associated: Sergeant-general James Mr. Gavin (Ordering after Normandy) 2nd assistant: Sergeant-general George P. Howell

Side cinema, one will be able to remember that the lieutenant-colonel Benjamin H. Vandervoort of the 2nd battalion (505e regiment of infantry para) was played by John Wayne.

The lieutenant-colonel H. Vandervoort, wounded with ankle left at the time of his parachuting, refused to be made look after in order to take part in the catch and security of Holy-Mother-Church: reason for which the scenario writers of the longest Jour made a close-up on this officer and gave the role to emblematic the John Wayne!

External bonds

Official site of the 82e airborne division
Normandy Mémoire Spaces Historical: The sector of the American airborne troops
D-Day: Inventory of fixtures Battle order of the 82nd Airborne Division on June 6th, 1944

See too

airborne Troop

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