Educating Miss Saigon

[Miss Saigon]

As most of you know, I know very little about WWII. In fact you might say that "Everything I know about WWII I learned from Private Ryan and Band of Brothers". Which was going to be the title of this thread except it was too long.

I have been posting individual questions here every now and then, but have decided it is a waste of forum space for me to start a thread for each new question. So what I want to do is whenever I have a question just post it here instead. I think this is more efficient.

Then those of you who are so inclined, as some of you have been already, can help me improve my knowledge and understanding of WWII

So here we go. I shall start with some questions prompted by Professors BoB and Private Ryan.

Did any of the aircraft carrying paratroopers for the D-Day invasion have angine or other troubles causing them to turn back without their troops getting to jump?

Why Paratroopers and Glider troops? What is the purpose of both?

Did the landing craft make multiple trips to the Normandy beaches? Delivering their troops, returning to the ships for more, and then going back for another wave?

Were the casualties high among the Navy, Royal Navy, and Coast Guard landing craft drivers?

[Tom Houlihan]

Prepare to absorb, Grasshopperette!

Originally Posted by Miss Saigon

Did any of the aircraft carrying paratroopers for the D-Day invasion have angine or other troubles causing them to turn back without their troops getting to jump?

I seem to recall a few, but I couldn't tell you for certain how many. Try visiting Mark Bando's Trigger Time. Between his 101st history, and the section on the Troop Carrier units, there ought to be something in there.

Why Paratroopers and Glider troops? What is the purpose of both?

They had slightly different missions. Gliders could put the troops more closely on their target, in a group. On the other hand, if a glider crashed, it took out all the guys.

Did the landing craft make multiple trips to the Normandy beaches? Delivering their troops, returning to the ships for more, and then going back for another wave?

Yup!

Were the casualties high among the Navy, Royal Navy, and Coast Guard landing craft drivers?

Define 'high?' There were quite a few killed or wounded, but I have no idea of the total numbers. You'd have to dig around some naval sites for those numbers.

[Wolster]

Originally Posted by Miss Saigon

A
Why Paratroopers and Glider troops? What is the purpose of both?

In addition to what Tom has already said, gliders could carry larger equipment such as jeeps, small artillery pieces and even small tanks. Very handy if you are being dropped behind enemy lines.

The first troops into action on D-Day were glider troops.

[Jim O]

Originally Posted by Miss Saigon

Were the casualties high among the Navy, Royal Navy, and Coast Guard landing craft drivers?

Expanding on Tom's answer - not as high as they were among their passengers.

[Whiterook]

Originally Posted by Jim O

Expanding on Tom's answer - not as high as they were among their passengers.

And expanding a bit further, consider the layout of the majority, which had the control area in the rear with the engine, which provided a modicum of protection...though the driver I believe rode rather high in the boat behind a small wheel housing. The one you are probably thinking about is the Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP), better known as the "Higgins boat"; but in fact, there were many different types and sizes. The worse part of these craft were, before the landing operations actually began, they would circle out in the open sea (think of circkling Old West wagons), and the flat front made the craft run rough in the water and hard to control...troops tended to get quite sick. Then, as they made their landing approach, the soldiers were often so loaded down that, in the event that the LCVP took critical fire, it was near impossible for a lot of men to jump over the side to safety. Then consider that when it did land, the debarking ramp was in the front, of which enemy fire drove right down their throats. Now thinl about the driver having to back that bad boy up, make it's way back to the ship driving a "plow at sea", and start the run all over again. It's a wonder. WWII was the highlight of this type of craft, and the used the most during that war.

[Airchallenged]

Originally Posted by Wolster

In addition to what Tom has already said, gliders could carry larger equipment such as jeeps, small artillery pieces and even small tanks. Very handy if you are being dropped behind enemy lines.

The first troops into action on D-Day were glider troops.

American Pathfinders of the 101st landed at the same time as the gliders at Pegasus. Or at least they were supposed to.

[Airchallenged]

Originally Posted by Miss Saigon

Did any of the aircraft carrying paratroopers for the D-Day invasion have angine or other troubles causing them to turn back without their troops getting to jump?

I think that some of them continued back to England when they realized they were over the English Channel again.

[Whiterook]

The big benefit the Gliders had was, the glider could be cut loose by the tow plane, and the silent craft could attempt to lad undetected close to target with the element of surprise; whereas the paratroopers were in noisy planes over target, with element of surprise quickly diminishing thereby.

[Miss Saigon]

I have actually seen Mark Bando's site before. I found it when doing a google search about the accuracy of BoB. A lot of stuff there.

[Tom Houlihan]

Originally Posted by Miss Saigon

A lot of stuff there.

You oughta see his basement!!!!