The Brecourt Manor Assault took place on June 6th, 1944, and served as a significant battle during the Normandy Invasion of World War 2. The Germans had a battery of M102 105mm Howitzers from the 1st BN, 6th Parachute Regiment and were defended by a light infantry company armed with MG42 machine guns and fortified by a complex system of trench lines. Using these advantages, the German battery began firing onto causeway exit two leading off Utah Beach – effectively disrupting the landing effort of
of what a leader should be. He passed his knowledge about leadership to cadets at the Military Academy at West Point by speaking upon his experience while in command of Easy Company. His actions at the Brecourt Manor Assault was also taught at West Point as an example of how to effectively assault a fixed position with an inferior force. Though Winters did not intend to become one of the famous warriors of WWII, he became one through his actions during the
Stephen Ambrose, Band of Brothers: Easy Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest, discusses one of the greatest examples of mission command in the form of 1st Lieutenant Richard Winters and his role in the Brecourt Manor Assault. This battle is a textbook example of how to fight against a superior enemy force that outnumbered the unit by four times as much. Facing overwhelming odds with just 16 paratroopers against over 60 German Soldiers, 1LT Winters nevertheless