1 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,000 Downloaded from YTS.MX 2 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000 Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX 3 00:00:09,004 --> 00:00:10,060 Go, go! 4 00:00:10,068 --> 00:00:11,052 This is it. 5 00:00:23,076 --> 00:00:25,072 CAPTAIN All on you now, George. 6 00:00:27,044 --> 00:00:28,028 Fire! 7 00:00:31,072 --> 00:00:33,032 Someone tell me that's not a bloody mine. 8 00:00:34,052 --> 00:00:35,060 Anytime you like, sir. 9 00:00:39,036 --> 00:00:40,020 We're on. 10 00:00:43,072 --> 00:00:45,024 Copper One to Copper Six. 11 00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:50,036 We were told there are no conditions for abort! 12 00:00:51,020 --> 00:00:52,016 It's time. 13 00:00:53,036 --> 00:00:56,024 Damn tank came right through into the middle of us. 14 00:00:56,032 --> 00:00:57,068 You couldn't stop it. 15 00:00:59,000 --> 00:01:01,052 Back in the water, boats were in flames. 16 00:01:02,028 --> 00:01:03,020 Now! 17 00:01:04,056 --> 00:01:05,048 Let me go first. 18 00:01:06,036 --> 00:01:08,016 - Sergeant! - Direct hit. 19 00:01:09,040 --> 00:01:10,040 Bombs away. 20 00:01:27,080 --> 00:01:30,072 HONOUR Our commander said they were looking for volunteers 21 00:01:30,080 --> 00:01:32,088 for hazardous underwater work. 22 00:01:37,020 --> 00:01:42,056 The qualifications were that you had to be able to swim, and were single. 23 00:01:42,096 --> 00:01:44,048 How are we looking, Lyne? 24 00:01:44,056 --> 00:01:45,084 We're drifting a little. 25 00:01:46,092 --> 00:01:52,084 26-year-old Lt George Honour is the captain of midget submarine, X23. 26 00:01:53,056 --> 00:01:55,016 15 feet slow ahead. 27 00:01:55,024 --> 00:01:57,052 15 feet, slow ahead. 28 00:01:58,068 --> 00:02:01,016 Honour's mission sounds simple. 29 00:02:01,064 --> 00:02:04,088 Park his tiny sub right on the Nazi's doorstep. 30 00:02:05,024 --> 00:02:08,052 Remain undetected on the seabed for days. 31 00:02:09,012 --> 00:02:11,052 Then guide the invasion to shore. 32 00:02:14,036 --> 00:02:17,024 But it's extraordinarily dangerous. 33 00:02:18,004 --> 00:02:19,024 On the surface, 34 00:02:19,032 --> 00:02:23,064 they'll be exposed to attack by enemy aircraft and patrol boats. 35 00:02:24,020 --> 00:02:29,020 Beneath the waves, lie hidden minefields that could atomize the tiny craft. 36 00:02:30,060 --> 00:02:33,072 Our part of the operation was called Gambit. 37 00:02:33,080 --> 00:02:38,044 We looked up the code name in the dictionary and much to our horror it said, 38 00:02:38,052 --> 00:02:41,048 "Pawn given away before big move in chess." 39 00:02:46,008 --> 00:02:49,092 George and his crew are in the vanguard of the largest invasion 40 00:02:50,000 --> 00:02:51,036 of the 20th century... 41 00:02:52,016 --> 00:02:56,096 A massive armada led by British, American and Canadian forces. 42 00:02:58,004 --> 00:03:02,076 Over 5000 ships, supported by more than 11,000 aircraft 43 00:03:02,084 --> 00:03:06,012 will land 132,000 men... 44 00:03:06,020 --> 00:03:08,040 All in a single day. 45 00:03:08,092 --> 00:03:10,088 The Germans know it's coming. 46 00:03:10,096 --> 00:03:13,092 But they have no idea when or where. 47 00:03:15,072 --> 00:03:19,056 The plan is for troops to come ashore on five Normandy beaches. 48 00:03:20,052 --> 00:03:21,056 Their codenames... 49 00:03:21,064 --> 00:03:26,084 Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword. 50 00:03:27,036 --> 00:03:29,016 But east of Sword Beach, 51 00:03:29,024 --> 00:03:33,072 where 29,000 British troops will land, are lethal mudflats. 52 00:03:34,012 --> 00:03:39,000 If the invasion force hits them, the landing on Sword could be a disaster. 53 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:44,052 It's George Honour's job to stop that happening. 54 00:03:47,016 --> 00:03:48,068 On the morning of D-Day, 55 00:03:48,076 --> 00:03:52,004 X23 will surface a mile off Sword Beach. 56 00:03:53,012 --> 00:03:56,072 Honour will then light a beacon to guide the first wave in. 57 00:03:58,092 --> 00:04:03,000 Those troops will be in 40 amphibious, Sherman tanks 58 00:04:03,032 --> 00:04:06,008 converted specifically for D-Day. 59 00:04:06,064 --> 00:04:10,020 These extraordinary crafts, known as "DD" tanks, 60 00:04:10,028 --> 00:04:13,028 are key to the success of the invasion. 61 00:04:13,068 --> 00:04:18,056 The DD tanks were in flotation bags, great big canvas bags, 62 00:04:18,064 --> 00:04:20,028 and carried two propellers. 63 00:04:21,064 --> 00:04:24,004 The tanks would be launched all around us 64 00:04:24,012 --> 00:04:27,004 and they would swim ashore under their own power. 65 00:04:28,048 --> 00:04:32,080 If X23 fails to guide the DDs safely to Sword Beach, 66 00:04:32,088 --> 00:04:36,032 the thousands of troops that follow will be defenseless. 67 00:04:39,024 --> 00:04:41,040 It's a high-risk strategy 68 00:04:41,048 --> 00:04:46,000 that relies on the courage and skill of George and his crew. 69 00:04:54,016 --> 00:04:58,092 For just over 24 hours, the tiny sub avoids enemy contact. 70 00:05:07,032 --> 00:05:08,040 All stop! 71 00:05:14,016 --> 00:05:16,092 Someone tell me that's not a bloody mine cable. 72 00:05:19,060 --> 00:05:22,008 You could hear it scraping along the side. 73 00:05:25,020 --> 00:05:29,028 We are assuming being in the middle of a mine barrage that it was a mine. 74 00:05:31,056 --> 00:05:34,040 Even if you hook one and you slid up... 75 00:05:37,040 --> 00:05:39,060 ...you might set the mine off. 76 00:05:41,088 --> 00:05:43,004 Slow astern. 77 00:05:43,088 --> 00:05:45,000 Slow astern. 78 00:05:48,048 --> 00:05:49,092 Half astern. 79 00:05:50,060 --> 00:05:51,060 Half astern. 80 00:06:01,052 --> 00:06:03,040 Pop on a brew, Jim. 81 00:06:12,072 --> 00:06:15,004 50 hours after leaving Britain, 82 00:06:15,012 --> 00:06:18,048 X23 surfaces a mile off Sword Beach. 83 00:06:22,028 --> 00:06:26,000 Honour is expecting a crucial coded radio transmission. 84 00:06:28,040 --> 00:06:30,084 MAN For Padfoot. For Padfoot. 85 00:06:30,092 --> 00:06:34,036 Auntie Nelly is unwell in Scarborough. 86 00:06:37,060 --> 00:06:39,008 It's postponed, lads. 87 00:06:40,020 --> 00:06:41,020 Bloody weather. 88 00:06:42,056 --> 00:06:46,088 We had the postponement. It didn't say how long it was for. 89 00:06:48,040 --> 00:06:51,012 Honour has to wait another 22 hours 90 00:06:51,020 --> 00:06:53,056 for the next scheduled transmission. 91 00:06:55,044 --> 00:07:00,052 X23 must sit on the seafloor and remain undetected until then. 92 00:07:01,088 --> 00:07:03,076 We had this awful problem. 93 00:07:05,012 --> 00:07:06,092 Did we have enough oxygen? 94 00:07:10,016 --> 00:07:14,084 The tiny sub is just six feet in diameter and 50 feet long. 95 00:07:14,092 --> 00:07:19,048 It was designed for a crew of four, but X23 carries five. 96 00:07:20,000 --> 00:07:23,092 So the sub has been fitted with extra oxygen tanks for this mission. 97 00:07:24,060 --> 00:07:27,076 But these were salvaged from a crashed German bomber. 98 00:07:28,060 --> 00:07:30,068 The Oxy bottle didn't seem to have anything on it 99 00:07:30,076 --> 00:07:32,028 to say how much there was left, 100 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:36,056 and it did seem to be a bit short. 101 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:42,012 You alright, Lyne? 102 00:07:45,068 --> 00:07:50,016 Honour has no idea how long the remaining oxygen will last. 103 00:07:57,032 --> 00:08:00,008 Eighty miles away, off the coast of England, 104 00:08:00,016 --> 00:08:04,016 566 battleships, destroyers and other warships 105 00:08:04,024 --> 00:08:06,052 are also nervously waiting... 106 00:08:08,008 --> 00:08:12,004 Among them, 29,000 British invasion troops... 107 00:08:12,056 --> 00:08:14,076 destined for Sword Beach. 108 00:08:22,084 --> 00:08:26,004 Twenty two long hours after the last contact, 109 00:08:26,012 --> 00:08:29,004 George Honour fires up the radio once again. 110 00:08:30,064 --> 00:08:33,024 It's no good. I can't hear a thing. There's too much interference. 111 00:08:33,032 --> 00:08:36,004 It was only a wire really, 112 00:08:36,012 --> 00:08:38,020 we got very bad reception. 113 00:08:38,028 --> 00:08:40,028 I think it might be one of the pumps. 114 00:08:40,036 --> 00:08:41,072 Kill it now. 115 00:08:42,064 --> 00:08:44,080 MAN For Padfoot. For Padfoot. 116 00:08:44,088 --> 00:08:46,000 What is this? 117 00:08:46,008 --> 00:08:48,076 Henry would like his pom... 118 00:08:50,000 --> 00:08:50,096 For Padfoot. 119 00:08:51,028 --> 00:08:54,000 Henry would like his pomade. 120 00:08:56,088 --> 00:08:57,076 We're on. 121 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:02,084 Honour now has just a few more hours to wait on the seafloor, 122 00:09:02,092 --> 00:09:04,096 so long as the oxygen lasts. 123 00:09:08,004 --> 00:09:12,056 On the surface, the Allied forces are moving into position. 124 00:09:12,064 --> 00:09:14,040 Let's get some fresh air, shall we? 125 00:09:14,072 --> 00:09:15,092 Blow Ballast. 126 00:09:18,032 --> 00:09:20,052 It's now or never. 127 00:09:21,068 --> 00:09:23,044 Okay, boys, this is it. 128 00:09:29,024 --> 00:09:34,012 Midget submarine X23 surfaces just a mile off Sword Beach. 129 00:09:36,008 --> 00:09:39,008 Seven miles away, 40 DD tanks, 130 00:09:39,016 --> 00:09:43,032 418 landing craft and 29,000 men 131 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:46,016 are relying on George Honour and his crew. 132 00:09:47,036 --> 00:09:51,044 The D-Day invasion at Sword Beach hangs on this moment. 133 00:09:53,020 --> 00:09:54,064 Pass me the beacon. 134 00:09:58,044 --> 00:10:00,096 X23 lights up. 135 00:10:05,096 --> 00:10:07,064 As you looked back towards England 136 00:10:07,072 --> 00:10:09,068 there were ships as far as the eye could see. 137 00:10:10,040 --> 00:10:11,096 All forms of ships. 138 00:10:14,052 --> 00:10:16,084 One was very pleased they were on our side. 139 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:21,024 Zero hour. 140 00:10:22,032 --> 00:10:23,056 As dawn breaks, 141 00:10:23,064 --> 00:10:28,024 Allied ships unleash a massive bombardment of the French coastline. 142 00:10:30,096 --> 00:10:35,032 Despite shells flying overhead, the sub must hold its position. 143 00:10:37,052 --> 00:10:40,092 If the DD tanks don't see X23's beacon, 144 00:10:41,000 --> 00:10:44,024 everything Honour's crew have gone through is for nothing. 145 00:10:48,020 --> 00:10:49,056 Can you see the tanks? 146 00:10:53,028 --> 00:10:54,032 Skipper? 147 00:10:58,004 --> 00:11:00,052 Bloody hell, here they come. 148 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:04,000 We were right on the spot that we were told to get to 149 00:11:04,008 --> 00:11:06,044 and they all came and passed us. 150 00:11:08,044 --> 00:11:13,068 The first DD swimming tanks pass the mini-sub and land at Sword Beach. 151 00:11:16,084 --> 00:11:20,072 29,000 British troops follow the tanks in. 152 00:11:25,028 --> 00:11:28,004 After a marathon 81-hour mission, 153 00:11:28,012 --> 00:11:30,092 George Honour and his crew have done it. 154 00:11:33,016 --> 00:11:35,024 D-Day has begun. 155 00:11:42,036 --> 00:11:46,096 Over 132,000 troops are now approaching Normandy. 156 00:11:48,088 --> 00:11:52,036 54,000 British at Sword and Gold. 157 00:11:53,012 --> 00:11:56,000 21,000 Canadians at Juno. 158 00:11:56,080 --> 00:12:00,096 57,000 Americans at Utah and Omaha. 159 00:12:04,028 --> 00:12:08,028 These original images show men of the 4th Infantry Division. 160 00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:12,088 They face a dangerous 11-mile journey across rough waters 161 00:12:12,096 --> 00:12:17,012 in one of 65 landing craft bound for Utah Beach. 162 00:12:19,012 --> 00:12:22,044 Some of these soldiers will not survive the day. 163 00:12:25,004 --> 00:12:28,016 Utah is the most westerly invasion beach. 164 00:12:28,056 --> 00:12:29,084 In just a few minutes, 165 00:12:29,092 --> 00:12:34,008 the first of over 23,000 American troops will land there. 166 00:12:35,028 --> 00:12:38,036 But ahead of them lie deadly fortifications... 167 00:12:59,096 --> 00:13:04,028 Roaring over the English Channel in the nose of a B26 Marauder, 168 00:13:04,036 --> 00:13:08,088 is 26-year-old bombardier 2nd Lieutenant George Eldridge. 169 00:13:08,096 --> 00:13:11,064 Switches in bombardier compartment, checked. 170 00:13:12,032 --> 00:13:14,044 All bombsight switches, on. 171 00:13:15,032 --> 00:13:17,060 Switches in power compartment checked. 172 00:13:18,012 --> 00:13:22,032 A total of 341 bombers are heading to Utah. 173 00:13:22,040 --> 00:13:24,072 Eldridge is in the lead group. 174 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:26,048 Looks like every plane we've got is up here. 175 00:13:26,056 --> 00:13:27,072 MAN Copy that. 176 00:13:28,052 --> 00:13:33,004 Their mission is to fly directly through German anti-aircraft fire... 177 00:13:33,012 --> 00:13:37,084 And destroy the heavily fortified bunkers defending Utah Beach. 178 00:13:42,096 --> 00:13:45,044 CAPTAIN Better keep your eyes peeled, George. 179 00:13:45,052 --> 00:13:47,056 There's a lot of people counting on us today. 180 00:13:49,064 --> 00:13:54,012 American ground troops will land minutes after the last bombs drop. 181 00:13:54,092 --> 00:13:59,036 So the B26s will get one shot at their targets. 182 00:13:59,084 --> 00:14:03,064 If they miss, the soldiers below will be slaughtered. 183 00:14:06,052 --> 00:14:08,096 There are no second chances. 184 00:14:09,080 --> 00:14:11,064 CAPTAIN How are you doing, George? 185 00:14:11,072 --> 00:14:13,004 Cold, sir. 186 00:14:13,012 --> 00:14:15,068 Guess it's better than being down there though. 187 00:14:16,060 --> 00:14:20,016 You could see the boats, the landing craft in the water, en-route. 188 00:14:20,024 --> 00:14:24,084 Some of the people I went to school with were in that initial assault on the beach. 189 00:14:28,028 --> 00:14:31,084 But the entire mission is now threatened by low cloud. 190 00:14:33,020 --> 00:14:35,004 To target the German defenses, 191 00:14:35,012 --> 00:14:38,024 the bombers will have to fly beneath the cloud layer, 192 00:14:38,032 --> 00:14:40,012 far lower than planned. 193 00:14:41,036 --> 00:14:46,048 13 months ago, a squadron of B26s flew a mission this low. 194 00:14:46,056 --> 00:14:50,020 Every plane that reached the target was shot down. 195 00:14:54,004 --> 00:14:56,060 We were told there were no conditions for abort! 196 00:14:56,068 --> 00:14:58,076 That's what the old man said, 197 00:14:58,084 --> 00:15:00,096 "You're in it, it's time." 198 00:15:09,036 --> 00:15:10,076 Off Utah Beach, 199 00:15:10,084 --> 00:15:14,056 Allied ships are now pounding German positions inland. 200 00:15:17,040 --> 00:15:21,028 To avoid friendly fire and have the best chance of hitting their targets, 201 00:15:21,036 --> 00:15:24,016 the B26s hug the coastline. 202 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:32,008 But it puts them in the crosshairs of every anti-aircraft gun along the coast. 203 00:15:42,008 --> 00:15:47,020 They were using 88s and small stuff, 50 calibers, 37 mill. 204 00:15:48,000 --> 00:15:50,052 And we were low enough that they could reach us. 205 00:15:56,056 --> 00:16:01,004 In the lead aircraft, is 46-year-old news reporter Ivan Peterman. 206 00:16:02,028 --> 00:16:05,060 I see bright flashes and then my neck begins to prickle. 207 00:16:06,072 --> 00:16:09,028 Red tracers go shooting past our plane. 208 00:16:10,076 --> 00:16:13,012 One puts an incendiary into a bomber. 209 00:16:18,068 --> 00:16:20,076 Come on, bail out, bail out. 210 00:16:24,048 --> 00:16:25,068 Do we see any chutes? 211 00:16:25,076 --> 00:16:27,092 CAPTAIN I see three... That's all. 212 00:16:29,056 --> 00:16:32,028 George is just seconds from his target. 213 00:16:33,080 --> 00:16:37,056 The lives of the men below are in his hands. 214 00:16:39,032 --> 00:16:41,024 CAPTAIN All on you now, George. 215 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:52,072 George Eldridge is in the lead group of 341 B26 Marauders 216 00:16:52,080 --> 00:16:57,008 on their final approach to bomb German defenses at Utah Beach. 217 00:16:58,064 --> 00:17:02,032 But they're flying at a low altitude they haven't trained for. 218 00:17:02,068 --> 00:17:05,092 Captain Albert Hill is in one of the other bombers. 219 00:17:07,064 --> 00:17:11,020 At 5,000 feet, you don't have any time at all. 220 00:17:12,040 --> 00:17:14,012 When you drop to that elevation, 221 00:17:14,020 --> 00:17:18,000 everything is moving a lot faster than you realize. 222 00:17:18,096 --> 00:17:22,008 By the time you see the target, it's behind you. 223 00:17:24,008 --> 00:17:28,052 The success of the Utah Beach landings hang in the balance. 224 00:17:30,028 --> 00:17:32,000 Bomb bay doors open. 225 00:17:32,008 --> 00:17:34,004 Bombsight stabilizers on. 226 00:17:39,048 --> 00:17:41,056 Dammit! Keep her steady. 227 00:17:44,076 --> 00:17:47,056 We were approaching a battery of Nazi guns. 228 00:17:47,064 --> 00:17:50,024 They look like a series of golf bunkers, 229 00:17:50,032 --> 00:17:53,044 neatly arranged like some sandy folly on the beach. 230 00:17:55,088 --> 00:17:56,084 Come on, baby. 231 00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:02,004 Bombs away. 232 00:18:10,028 --> 00:18:15,076 The squadrons of B26s drop more than 500 tons of explosives. 233 00:18:19,012 --> 00:18:22,016 An awesome spectacle is spreading below. 234 00:18:25,008 --> 00:18:27,064 There are spouts of flame and belching smoke 235 00:18:27,072 --> 00:18:31,024 which seems to leap at us like some angry monster. 236 00:18:33,096 --> 00:18:36,088 The bombing run devastates German fortifications 237 00:18:36,096 --> 00:18:39,024 the whole length of Utah Beach. 238 00:18:51,072 --> 00:18:54,060 Just six minutes later, right on cue, 239 00:18:54,068 --> 00:18:57,064 the first of 23,000 American troops, 240 00:18:57,072 --> 00:19:01,052 including men from the 4th infantry, begin hitting the shore. 241 00:19:02,064 --> 00:19:07,024 George Eldridge and the crews of the B26 Marauders are so effective, 242 00:19:07,032 --> 00:19:12,004 the ground troops at Utah suffer fewer than 300 casualties. 243 00:19:13,004 --> 00:19:14,044 Godspeed, guys. 244 00:19:21,056 --> 00:19:24,080 20 miles to the east, on Omaha Beach, 245 00:19:24,088 --> 00:19:28,028 the same plan goes disastrously wrong. 246 00:20:01,076 --> 00:20:04,040 Omaha Beach is a bloodbath. 247 00:20:07,080 --> 00:20:12,052 But between two of the largest bunkers is a weaker area in the German defenses. 248 00:20:13,008 --> 00:20:15,036 The few landing craft that come ashore here, 249 00:20:15,044 --> 00:20:17,040 avoid the worst of the slaughter. 250 00:20:18,004 --> 00:20:22,028 Among them are Easy Company, 16th Regiment, 1st Division. 251 00:20:23,032 --> 00:20:28,040 This photograph called "Into the Jaws of Death," shows the moment they wade ashore. 252 00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:37,072 Around the same time the photo was taken, 1st platoon of Easy Company 253 00:20:37,080 --> 00:20:39,092 storm out of their landing craft. 254 00:20:40,076 --> 00:20:43,048 They make it up the beach unscathed. 255 00:20:46,000 --> 00:20:48,092 Second Lt John Spalding is in command. 256 00:20:49,000 --> 00:20:51,048 It's his first time in combat. 257 00:20:52,020 --> 00:20:54,016 We went as fast as we could. 258 00:20:54,088 --> 00:20:57,076 We moved on across the shale straight inland. 259 00:20:57,084 --> 00:21:00,068 The first place we stopped was at a demolished building. 260 00:21:02,016 --> 00:21:04,032 His sergeant is Philip Strecyzk, 261 00:21:04,040 --> 00:21:07,052 a decorated veteran of two previous campaigns. 262 00:21:08,032 --> 00:21:10,000 Check your weapons are dry. 263 00:21:11,016 --> 00:21:12,060 Something funny, Ramundo? 264 00:21:12,068 --> 00:21:13,080 No, sir! 265 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:21,060 Either side of them, thousands of troops are still arriving on the beach. 266 00:21:22,036 --> 00:21:25,032 They're being cut to ribbons by machine gunfire. 267 00:21:26,052 --> 00:21:31,008 Every passing minute means more dead and injured Americans. 268 00:21:32,092 --> 00:21:34,068 Copper One to Copper Six. 269 00:21:35,008 --> 00:21:37,080 Copper One to Copper Six. This is One! 270 00:21:38,080 --> 00:21:40,096 The radio is dead. 271 00:21:41,004 --> 00:21:42,036 They're on their own. 272 00:21:44,040 --> 00:21:47,080 The platoon is hemmed in on both sides by enemy fire. 273 00:21:48,048 --> 00:21:51,048 Their only possible route out is directly inland 274 00:21:51,056 --> 00:21:54,016 between the two largest German bunkers, 275 00:21:54,024 --> 00:21:57,052 WN62 and WN64. 276 00:21:58,080 --> 00:22:01,040 This route gives them an extraordinary opportunity 277 00:22:01,048 --> 00:22:03,076 to change the outcome of D-Day. 278 00:22:03,084 --> 00:22:07,064 If they can make it, they will end up behind enemy lines. 279 00:22:07,072 --> 00:22:08,096 Sir, what are your orders? 280 00:22:09,004 --> 00:22:10,076 The beach is out of the question. 281 00:22:10,084 --> 00:22:12,076 What do you think, Sergeant? 282 00:22:12,084 --> 00:22:16,084 We're going to get slaughtered if we go out towards those bunkers head-on. 283 00:22:17,068 --> 00:22:19,040 Could be there's a way up through here. 284 00:22:19,088 --> 00:22:22,004 The route is extremely dangerous. 285 00:22:22,012 --> 00:22:27,012 It's protected by barbed wire, minefields, snipers and machine-gun nests. 286 00:22:28,048 --> 00:22:29,076 Let me go first. 287 00:22:35,064 --> 00:22:38,024 We were getting heavy small arms fire. 288 00:22:38,088 --> 00:22:42,028 One burst left a series of dots along the wall in front of us. 289 00:22:49,008 --> 00:22:50,084 Ramundo was killed. 290 00:22:54,004 --> 00:22:59,052 Louis Ramundo is just one of over 2,400 American casualties 291 00:22:59,060 --> 00:23:01,092 at Omaha Beach that day. 292 00:23:20,032 --> 00:23:21,080 Sergeant? 293 00:23:21,088 --> 00:23:23,060 Minefield, sir. 294 00:23:23,068 --> 00:23:26,092 Spalding's platoon is trapped. 295 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:32,088 On Omaha Beach, 1st Platoon of Easy Company 296 00:23:32,096 --> 00:23:35,040 is trying to get behind enemy lines. 297 00:23:35,048 --> 00:23:37,072 But they've run into a minefield. 298 00:23:37,080 --> 00:23:38,096 Dammit. 299 00:23:39,004 --> 00:23:41,004 You see a way around it? 300 00:23:41,012 --> 00:23:43,056 Stick to the areas with grass and we should be okay. 301 00:23:44,024 --> 00:23:45,052 Here's hoping. 302 00:23:50,012 --> 00:23:51,032 Sergeant? 303 00:23:56,092 --> 00:23:58,004 I'm okay, sir. 304 00:23:59,052 --> 00:24:01,016 Okay, men, move out. 305 00:24:01,024 --> 00:24:02,036 Heads down. 306 00:24:02,044 --> 00:24:04,084 Stay on the grass. Go! 307 00:24:07,092 --> 00:24:12,040 Sgt. Bisco kept saying, "Lieutenant, watch out for the damn mines." 308 00:24:14,028 --> 00:24:18,048 They were a little box type mine, and the place was infested with them. 309 00:24:27,040 --> 00:24:31,080 The Lord was with us and we had an angel on each shoulder on that trip up the hill. 310 00:24:32,064 --> 00:24:33,084 We lost no men. 311 00:24:39,064 --> 00:24:42,048 Spalding and his men reach the top of the hill. 312 00:24:42,056 --> 00:24:46,028 They're the first of the 16th Infantry to make it this far. 313 00:24:47,032 --> 00:24:51,020 Down on the beach, there's no let-up in the slaughter. 314 00:24:52,044 --> 00:24:55,032 We didn't know what had become of the rest of Easy Company. 315 00:24:56,016 --> 00:24:59,028 Back in the water, boats were in flames. 316 00:25:00,048 --> 00:25:02,088 We decided we wouldn't look back anymore. 317 00:25:06,012 --> 00:25:09,056 All the platoon can do is push on inland. 318 00:25:13,052 --> 00:25:18,028 But their way forward is blocked by deadly machine-gun nests. 319 00:25:52,016 --> 00:25:57,004 Sargent Strecyzk takes out the machine guns without losing a single man. 320 00:25:59,020 --> 00:26:02,020 The platoon is now behind enemy lines. 321 00:26:02,076 --> 00:26:05,080 For the first time, they can take the offensive. 322 00:26:06,036 --> 00:26:09,048 Spalding and Streczyk have one target in mind; 323 00:26:09,056 --> 00:26:13,076 the deadly bunker complex known as WN64. 324 00:26:14,068 --> 00:26:17,008 It's one of the largest enemy strongholds 325 00:26:17,016 --> 00:26:20,052 and is still raining down murderous fire on Omaha. 326 00:26:21,040 --> 00:26:26,036 It has four separate gun positions, joined by concealed trenches and tunnels, 327 00:26:26,044 --> 00:26:29,028 and manned by at least 30 soldiers. 328 00:26:31,024 --> 00:26:33,068 1st platoon are massively outgunned. 329 00:26:34,004 --> 00:26:36,032 But they have one advantage. 330 00:26:36,096 --> 00:26:40,044 The enemy has no idea they are there. 331 00:26:45,000 --> 00:26:47,000 How many do you think are in there? 332 00:26:48,048 --> 00:26:50,072 They only have 22 men. 333 00:26:50,080 --> 00:26:53,024 They cannot risk a pitched battle. 334 00:27:00,012 --> 00:27:02,084 Streczyk goes in alone. 335 00:27:29,076 --> 00:27:32,028 Streczyk fired shots into the dugout. 336 00:27:32,036 --> 00:27:33,092 Come out, hands up. 337 00:27:35,064 --> 00:27:38,068 Then he yelled in Polish and German for them to come out. 338 00:27:38,076 --> 00:27:40,080 You've got 10 seconds. 339 00:27:47,080 --> 00:27:49,092 Four men, disarmed, came up. 340 00:27:52,068 --> 00:27:55,012 They brought 2 or 3 wounded with them. 341 00:27:58,036 --> 00:28:00,080 Streczyk's bold move works. 342 00:28:04,012 --> 00:28:08,072 Led by Streczyk, the platoon fight their way through the entire bunker complex. 343 00:28:09,004 --> 00:28:10,024 Down! 344 00:28:27,028 --> 00:28:28,092 Just an hour later, 345 00:28:29,000 --> 00:28:32,092 the deadly guns of WN64, finally fall silent. 346 00:28:34,064 --> 00:28:38,056 The weight of fire onto Omaha Beach is drastically reduced. 347 00:28:38,064 --> 00:28:41,048 The tide of battle begins to turn. 348 00:28:43,064 --> 00:28:46,000 By taking out WN64, 349 00:28:46,008 --> 00:28:49,012 1st Platoon have opened a route away from the slaughter 350 00:28:49,020 --> 00:28:51,084 for the exhausted troops on the beach. 351 00:28:53,008 --> 00:28:57,068 One American newspaper describes Streczyk as "The One Man Invasion." 352 00:28:58,048 --> 00:29:02,092 His actions are pivotal in the success of the assault on Omaha. 353 00:29:08,084 --> 00:29:13,064 Across every Normandy beach, Allied troops are now fighting their way ashore. 354 00:29:14,024 --> 00:29:19,072 But for 18,000 soldiers, D-Day began long before the first beach landings. 355 00:29:20,004 --> 00:29:23,064 They were dropped behind enemy lines just after midnight. 356 00:29:24,028 --> 00:29:28,008 This reconnaissance photograph shows discarded parachutes 357 00:29:28,016 --> 00:29:30,004 and abandoned gliders. 358 00:29:30,056 --> 00:29:33,064 These were used by US and British Paratroopers 359 00:29:33,072 --> 00:29:38,004 and glider troops in one of the largest airborne landings of the war. 360 00:29:54,072 --> 00:29:56,080 Just outside the village of Benouville, 361 00:29:56,088 --> 00:29:59,048 soldiers from the 7th battalion Parachute Regiment 362 00:29:59,056 --> 00:30:02,088 and the Ox and Bucks light infantry have dug in. 363 00:30:08,056 --> 00:30:11,012 Benouville sits at a key junction. 364 00:30:11,072 --> 00:30:16,048 Roads come from the south and the east over the River Orne and the Caen canal. 365 00:30:17,036 --> 00:30:21,064 These would give German tanks direct access to the invasion beaches. 366 00:30:23,036 --> 00:30:28,048 To prevent that, this tiny band of British soldiers must hold the town. 367 00:30:30,016 --> 00:30:33,080 So far no heavy armor has tried to break through their lines. 368 00:30:35,068 --> 00:30:40,052 Even so, after hours of fighting, the troops are barely clinging on. 369 00:30:41,068 --> 00:30:44,088 Major John Nigel Taylor is in charge of A Company. 370 00:30:49,076 --> 00:30:52,012 We were getting casualties the whole damn time. 371 00:30:53,056 --> 00:30:54,064 You couldn't stop it. 372 00:30:56,080 --> 00:30:59,024 We were really very thin on the ground. 373 00:31:02,048 --> 00:31:03,084 We were down to about... 374 00:31:05,044 --> 00:31:07,028 it couldn't have been more than 30. 375 00:31:09,008 --> 00:31:10,048 What's your name, private? 376 00:31:10,056 --> 00:31:12,040 McGee, sir. 377 00:31:12,048 --> 00:31:14,040 How are you holding up, McGee? 378 00:31:14,048 --> 00:31:16,092 Hoping Jerry gets bored and buggers off home. 379 00:31:17,000 --> 00:31:19,044 Sir? Bastards! 380 00:31:20,060 --> 00:31:23,072 Private Michael McGee is just 20 years old. 381 00:31:25,060 --> 00:31:27,028 Ammunition! 382 00:31:27,036 --> 00:31:31,040 They're running out of men and running out of bullets. 383 00:31:32,080 --> 00:31:35,076 Sir, armor coming up the road. 384 00:31:52,024 --> 00:31:53,088 Tight! Argh! 385 00:31:53,096 --> 00:31:56,040 British soldiers dropped behind lines 386 00:31:56,048 --> 00:32:00,020 have been under attack for nine hours in the village of Benouville. 387 00:32:00,096 --> 00:32:05,084 Now German heavy armor is trying to break through their paper-thin lines. 388 00:32:05,092 --> 00:32:10,080 Major Taylor, one of the last surviving officers, is wounded by shrapnel. 389 00:32:13,028 --> 00:32:16,072 Keep that fire going. We cannot let them get behind us. 390 00:32:17,092 --> 00:32:21,056 Lance Corporal Eddie Gurney is fighting alongside them. 391 00:32:22,080 --> 00:32:26,056 At about 1000 hours, three large tanks came down the main road 392 00:32:26,064 --> 00:32:28,024 from the direction of Caen. 393 00:32:30,052 --> 00:32:32,060 Alright, Jones. You're up. 394 00:32:33,004 --> 00:32:35,016 Grab the Piat and make ready. 395 00:32:39,044 --> 00:32:42,064 The Piat is a lightweight anti-tank weapon. 396 00:32:42,072 --> 00:32:46,036 It uses a powerful spring to launch an explosive charge 397 00:32:46,044 --> 00:32:49,052 that can pierce armor up to four inches thick. 398 00:32:49,060 --> 00:32:52,044 But it's only effective at close range. 399 00:32:53,076 --> 00:32:57,060 Just a handful of the paratrooper's Piats survived the drop. 400 00:32:57,068 --> 00:32:59,044 It's coming toward us... 401 00:33:00,080 --> 00:33:04,008 Alright, Jones. Hold your fire until I say. 402 00:33:04,072 --> 00:33:05,084 20 feet... 403 00:33:05,092 --> 00:33:07,020 Wait. 404 00:33:08,036 --> 00:33:09,024 10 feet... 405 00:33:09,032 --> 00:33:10,068 Wait. 406 00:33:12,004 --> 00:33:13,044 Anytime you like, sir. 407 00:33:13,084 --> 00:33:14,072 Go. 408 00:33:17,036 --> 00:33:19,004 And he pulled the trigger... 409 00:33:19,012 --> 00:33:20,016 Fire! 410 00:33:22,016 --> 00:33:23,072 And there was just a click. 411 00:33:24,024 --> 00:33:25,080 Bloody Piat. 412 00:33:26,060 --> 00:33:28,080 Don't just sit there, get in. 413 00:33:35,088 --> 00:33:38,052 Just three soldiers and one machine gun 414 00:33:38,060 --> 00:33:40,068 now stand between the German armor... 415 00:33:40,076 --> 00:33:43,032 and the British troops on Sword Beach. 416 00:33:44,016 --> 00:33:47,004 Looks like this is on us then. Gammon bombs you got them. 417 00:33:47,012 --> 00:33:49,048 We have things called gammon bombs. 418 00:33:49,096 --> 00:33:52,052 We all carried this plastic explosive 419 00:33:52,060 --> 00:33:54,068 in the inside pockets of our battle dress, 420 00:33:55,056 --> 00:33:57,072 and mechanisms to set it off. 421 00:33:57,080 --> 00:33:59,000 I'm gonna lay down covering fire. 422 00:33:59,008 --> 00:34:01,052 You get to that building there, wait for the tank to stop. 423 00:34:01,060 --> 00:34:04,072 - Why will it stop? - Because I'm going to make it. 424 00:34:04,080 --> 00:34:06,064 Just make sure you're ready yeah? 425 00:34:11,012 --> 00:34:14,012 Damn tank came right through into the middle of us, 426 00:34:15,012 --> 00:34:16,068 From where I was it was... 427 00:34:17,068 --> 00:34:18,084 four yards away. 428 00:34:23,048 --> 00:34:26,068 Okay, this is it. Go. Go. Go. 429 00:34:29,000 --> 00:34:32,076 Private McGee started to walk up the middle of the road towards the tanks. 430 00:34:36,060 --> 00:34:40,020 We could hear the bullets ricocheting off the tank's armor plating. 431 00:34:40,096 --> 00:34:43,008 The drivers closed down their visors, 432 00:34:43,016 --> 00:34:45,024 making them blind as to what was happening. 433 00:34:45,088 --> 00:34:50,052 McGee's Bren gun is as much use as a pea shooter against heavy armor. 434 00:34:54,004 --> 00:34:55,048 But in shut down position, 435 00:34:55,056 --> 00:35:00,032 the Germans can't see what's going on right under their noses. 436 00:35:01,008 --> 00:35:02,028 Now! 437 00:35:03,080 --> 00:35:06,052 Corporal Kilean ran up the side of the road. 438 00:35:09,048 --> 00:35:12,032 He threw the first bomb which hit the leading tank. 439 00:35:19,068 --> 00:35:22,088 The crew bailed out and attempted to escape. 440 00:35:26,072 --> 00:35:28,080 They were shot by McGee. 441 00:35:34,056 --> 00:35:36,024 Not long afterwards, 442 00:35:36,032 --> 00:35:39,032 McGee destroys a second piece of German heavy armor. 443 00:35:40,040 --> 00:35:42,072 The wrecked vehicles block the road. 444 00:35:43,076 --> 00:35:48,060 Not a single piece of enemy armor breaks through this village on D-Day. 445 00:35:49,048 --> 00:35:52,064 Because of Michael McGee's quick-thinking actions, 446 00:35:52,072 --> 00:35:56,032 the ragged Allied line at Benouville holds. 447 00:36:00,080 --> 00:36:04,040 It's nearly six hours since the first troops came ashore. 448 00:36:04,048 --> 00:36:07,052 All five beaches are now under allied control. 449 00:36:07,060 --> 00:36:10,060 Men and machines are pouring ashore. 450 00:36:10,068 --> 00:36:13,076 But that success is causing problems. 451 00:36:13,084 --> 00:36:16,036 This reconnaissance photo of Sword Beach 452 00:36:16,044 --> 00:36:19,044 shows a mass of tanks and trucks on the shore. 453 00:36:20,004 --> 00:36:24,004 Traffic is backed up on the tiny lanes leading away from the beach. 454 00:36:25,004 --> 00:36:30,032 Paralyzed by the traffic jams, the tanks are easy targets for a counter-attack. 455 00:36:52,056 --> 00:36:55,084 The only defense against the Panzers hitting Sword 456 00:36:55,092 --> 00:36:59,092 are 54 British Sherman tanks of the Staffordshire Yeomanry. 457 00:37:00,052 --> 00:37:04,056 They've finally cleared the traffic on the beach and are pushing inland 458 00:37:04,064 --> 00:37:08,000 towards the town of Caen where the Panzers are based. 459 00:37:08,092 --> 00:37:12,052 The Shermans have been ordered to intercept the German tanks. 460 00:37:13,080 --> 00:37:16,012 But this is enemy terrain. 461 00:37:16,020 --> 00:37:19,076 Hidden in it are minefields and heavy artillery. 462 00:37:20,088 --> 00:37:24,056 Come on. Come on. Foot down, Mills. 463 00:37:25,056 --> 00:37:28,096 For Sergeant Les Joyce, the hunt is on. 464 00:37:30,040 --> 00:37:34,052 He will play a pivotal role in the only tank battle of D-Day. 465 00:37:39,036 --> 00:37:41,088 In a head-on shooting match with the Panzers, 466 00:37:41,096 --> 00:37:43,096 the Sherman' are outnumbered. 467 00:37:44,004 --> 00:37:46,080 If we get contact, we fire first. 468 00:37:48,028 --> 00:37:51,020 They have to find a tactical advantage. 469 00:37:52,052 --> 00:37:55,072 Joyce's orders are to race for high ground. 470 00:37:56,024 --> 00:38:00,020 Get there before the Panzers and ambush them. 471 00:38:03,008 --> 00:38:07,064 Joyce's best bet is a ridge near the village of Periers-sur-le-Dan. 472 00:38:08,020 --> 00:38:12,060 It overlooks the shortest route for the German tanks to get to the beaches. 473 00:38:22,052 --> 00:38:25,044 On your toes, everybody, be ready for contact. 474 00:38:26,000 --> 00:38:28,052 But up ahead, there's trouble. 475 00:38:32,052 --> 00:38:36,084 MAN We're hit, we're hit. Bailing out. Artillery in the trees. 476 00:38:36,092 --> 00:38:39,096 A squadron of Shermans have been ambushed. 477 00:38:43,092 --> 00:38:47,048 Sergeant Les Joyce is pushing inland through enemy territory. 478 00:38:48,032 --> 00:38:51,080 Ahead of him, five British Sherman tanks have been hit. 479 00:38:53,008 --> 00:38:56,012 The Germans have hidden powerful artillery in the woods. 480 00:38:57,016 --> 00:39:01,028 These 88-millimeter guns were designed to shoot down aircraft. 481 00:39:02,032 --> 00:39:05,056 They can destroy a tank from over a mile away. 482 00:39:06,076 --> 00:39:10,028 2nd Lt David Render is another tank commander. 483 00:39:11,028 --> 00:39:14,048 I still wince at the memory of the ear-splitting crack 484 00:39:14,056 --> 00:39:16,028 of the high-velocity projectiles. 485 00:39:16,036 --> 00:39:20,008 They gouged lightning-quick furrows in the ground around us. 486 00:39:23,012 --> 00:39:28,024 Despite armor two inches thick, Shermans have a notorious reputation... 487 00:39:34,032 --> 00:39:37,000 Germans call them the "Tommy Cooker". 488 00:39:38,024 --> 00:39:42,052 Allies nickname it the "Ronson" after the American lighter slogan, 489 00:39:43,000 --> 00:39:45,060 "Lights first time, every time." 490 00:39:47,056 --> 00:39:51,060 All tank crews have a horror of being burned alive in their vehicles. 491 00:39:55,056 --> 00:39:59,000 Then comes the news the Allies have feared all day. 492 00:39:59,008 --> 00:40:02,020 MAN Panzers on the move. Panzers on the move. 493 00:40:06,088 --> 00:40:11,000 A British reconnaissance platoon spots the Germans heading north. 494 00:40:15,052 --> 00:40:17,032 If they reach the ridge first, 495 00:40:17,040 --> 00:40:20,092 they will have a direct route to the invasion beaches. 496 00:40:35,032 --> 00:40:38,076 But the German Panzers have left it too late... 497 00:40:40,016 --> 00:40:42,088 The British Shermans get there first. 498 00:40:46,004 --> 00:40:47,052 There you are. 499 00:40:48,000 --> 00:40:51,008 Joyce is outnumbered and outgunned. 500 00:40:51,016 --> 00:40:54,092 His one advantage is that he has the high ground. 501 00:40:55,048 --> 00:40:57,032 Right five. 502 00:40:58,000 --> 00:41:01,060 But it will only take the Panzers seconds to target him. 503 00:41:02,004 --> 00:41:03,020 Keep turning. 504 00:41:03,028 --> 00:41:05,068 Everything depends on his first shot. 505 00:41:06,024 --> 00:41:07,052 Turn five. 506 00:41:09,004 --> 00:41:10,096 Steady, steady. 507 00:41:12,020 --> 00:41:13,060 Okay, 500. 508 00:41:17,084 --> 00:41:19,004 And fire! 509 00:41:23,064 --> 00:41:25,052 Direct hit. Reload. 510 00:41:25,060 --> 00:41:28,056 He takes out the lead Panzer with one shot. 511 00:41:28,064 --> 00:41:31,052 Now the tanks behind can't get through. 512 00:41:31,060 --> 00:41:34,044 Joyce is in control of the battle. 513 00:41:35,084 --> 00:41:37,052 Tank ahead 600. 514 00:41:38,060 --> 00:41:39,052 Fire! 515 00:41:42,044 --> 00:41:43,028 That's it! 516 00:41:45,056 --> 00:41:48,000 Steady, steady! 517 00:41:48,048 --> 00:41:49,048 Fire! 518 00:41:56,096 --> 00:41:59,096 Sargent Reuben Welsh sees it happen. 519 00:42:00,096 --> 00:42:04,048 He knocked out the three leading tanks with three shots. 520 00:42:06,000 --> 00:42:08,076 The rest panicked and veered north. 521 00:42:10,020 --> 00:42:12,052 I believe we saved the day. 522 00:42:15,000 --> 00:42:18,080 Our thin red line held and they never came again... 523 00:42:20,084 --> 00:42:22,092 Three shots. Three tanks. 524 00:42:27,072 --> 00:42:31,056 The 22nd Panzer regiment lose 13 tanks that day. 525 00:42:31,064 --> 00:42:33,032 They're forced to retreat. 526 00:42:34,080 --> 00:42:39,024 One of the single greatest threats to the D-Day invasion has been halted. 527 00:42:40,072 --> 00:42:46,016 Les Joyce is instrumental in stopping the threat from the German tanks. 528 00:42:52,096 --> 00:42:58,080 By day's end, 156,000 Allied troops are now on mainland France. 529 00:42:59,016 --> 00:43:04,016 This single day has witnessed the largest invasion in the 20th century. 530 00:43:05,048 --> 00:43:08,072 D-Day was won by the actions of ordinary men 531 00:43:08,080 --> 00:43:11,076 confronted by extraordinary circumstances. 532 00:43:12,008 --> 00:43:13,072 These men were just a handful 533 00:43:14,016 --> 00:43:17,040 among hundreds, perhaps thousands of other soldiers, 534 00:43:17,048 --> 00:43:20,068 whose actions transformed the outcome of the war. 535 00:43:22,028 --> 00:43:25,088 X23 commander George Honour survived the war. 536 00:43:25,096 --> 00:43:29,000 He died in Dorset, England in 2002. 537 00:43:30,044 --> 00:43:34,076 Sergeant Philip Strecyzk logged 440 days of frontline combat. 538 00:43:34,084 --> 00:43:39,020 He fought all the way to Germany before returning safely to America. 539 00:43:39,092 --> 00:43:43,016 Sergeant Leslie Joyce followed in his father's footsteps 540 00:43:43,024 --> 00:43:44,064 to become a gamekeeper. 541 00:43:46,024 --> 00:43:49,028 Private Michael McGee, did not survive D-Day. 542 00:43:49,036 --> 00:43:54,000 He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions at Benouville. 543 00:43:55,072 --> 00:43:58,008 Lt Jim Booth became a teacher. 544 00:43:58,048 --> 00:44:01,052 He's 97 and lives in Somerset, England. 545 00:44:02,044 --> 00:44:05,048 George Eldridge retired with the rank of Colonel. 546 00:44:05,056 --> 00:44:08,016 He now lives in Idaho. He's 101 years old. 547 00:44:08,024 --> 00:44:09,072 Captioned by Visual Data Media Services