Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
Let's get to it.
harper230: I somewhat disagree on that, as Stalin clearly wanted a power base in Europe, and he would see the future Allies as a threat to that power base, especially if they moved too close to Berlin, or even reached Berlin first. But yes, definitely agree on the Japan front. I may actually feature the Pacific theater in this story, or may do a separate story featuring the Pacific theater in the same concept, but not likely.
Chapter 11- End of D-Day
(Allied HQ)
In his HQ in England, General Eisenhower looks over the reports that had come into his office throughout the day about the status of the invasion. Thanks to the forces from the future conducting the landings, things had gone better than he had ever thought they would.
The airborne operations had gone outstandingly well. All of the designated bridges had been captured with relative ease, and all of the remaining bridges had been easily destroyed by the F-117s. The 82nd Airborne had been able to capture the town of Saint-Mere-Eglise with relatively few casualties, especially thanks to helicopter support.
Throughout the night, the air attacks conducted by the future air forces had been extremely effective. Advanced targeting systems and other systems allowing for complete night combat had allowed the future aircraft to target German forces with extreme precision. The German panzer divisions in the area had been devastated, with most of their tanks destroyed, and German supply lines had been disrupted.
The US fighters had also devastated the Luftwaffe. American F-15s had shot down over 50 German aircraft over France, while F-14s patrolling over the Channel and beaches had claimed an additional 16 aircraft. The Luftwaffe had caused literally three casualties among the landing forces thanks to the efforts of the F-15s and F-14s.
The landings had in fact begun slightly ahead of schedule thanks to the effectiveness of the naval bombardment and air attacks on the beaches. Eisenhower also had to admit that the landing craft brought from the future had greatly improved the landings. The LCACs' ability to move right over the beach obstacles and deposit tanks or large units of infantry had proven vital to getting the landings done with few casualties. Being able to bring in such heavy tanks had proved vital as well.
Pretty much all of the goals set for D-Day had been accomplished. All of the beaches had been taken, and a single uninterrupted beachhead existed across all five beaches. The towns of Bayeux and Carentan had been captured, the 1st Marine Division was advancing rapidly towards Cherbourg, the 4th Infantry Division and portions of the 101st Airborne were driving towards Saint Lo, and the British 3rd Armored Division and portions of the 1st Canadian Division were currently fighting the German defenders for control of Caen. Although the Allies technically hadn't made as much progress as Eisenhower hoped, he also realized this was in part due to caution on the part of the future commanders.
Casualty lists had begun to come in, and casualties had been incredibly light. The most casualties had been at Omaha Beach, with just over 400 dead and wounded during the initial landings. Overall, between the 5 beaches and the airborne landings, the Allies had suffered just 2,471 casualties and a few destroyed vehicles. On the other hand, the Germans had suffered over 12,000 casualties, with most of their artillery and tanks in the area destroyed. They had also lost dozens of aircraft and four warships. The Germans had also lost most of their supply lines and transportation lines to the front lines, preventing them from reinforcing Normandy.
Looking over the reports, Eisenhower feels a sense of hope. With the future forces present to assist him, perhaps the defeat of Germany will come far easier than he ever expected.
(Caen)
A British lieutenant covers his ears as the howitzers he's standing by fire their next volley. The 3rd Armored Division and some units from the 1st Canadian Division had been fighting for control of Caen for a few hours now. The British and Canadian hold about half of Caen, and the Germans are now crumbling. They aren't expected to hold on for much longer.
The lieutenant hears a rumbling. Glancing behind him, he sees a Challenger 1 tank rolling down the street, a Warrior fighting vehicle following close behind. As the lieutenant watches the tank rolling back, the Challenger fires its main gun at a building up ahead where the Germans are firing several machine guns out of the windows. The shell explodes on the 1st floor, destroying most of the building's supports and sending the building crashing down.
The lieutenant grins a bit as he sees the machine gun nests have been silenced. He then turns to the howitzer crews and shouts the order, "Alright, boys! Get ready to move! We'll probably be moving in the next minute or two." The crews start prepping the howitzers to move.
As this is happening, a roar over the town signals the arrival of a flight of A-10s from the 10th Tactical Fighter Wing arriving over the city. One of the Warthogs dives down towards a street where a column of German troops are advancing towards British positions. The A-10 pilot lets loose with his cannon, strafing the German troops. Most of the German troops are killed or suffer crippling injuries from the shrapnel thrown out by the falling cannon rounds.
Outside the town, the division commander of the 3rd Armored Division is keeping careful tabs on the progress of the battle. The general had declared that by sunrise on the 7th, he wanted Caen fully in Allied hands. This was mostly due to the threat of the German reserve panzer divisions, particularly the Panzer-Lehr-Division and the 12th SS Panzer Division, reaching Caen within the next day or two. The general wants Caen fully in Allied hands so they can prepare defenses for when the panzer divisions and any other German reinforcements inevitably reach Caen within the next few days.
The General turns to one of his staff. "Colonel, send out orders to all battalion commanders. I want a full armored push through the town. I want the Germans out of Caen now."
"Yes, sir," the colonel responds. He then moves over to the men manning the radios to relay the orders to them.
Within a matter of minutes, the order is reaching the front lines. Within 30 minutes of the general giving the order, a massive charge of Challenger and Leopard tanks and Warrior fighting vehicles charges into the German held portion of the town. The Germans try and pull back, but are quickly finding themselves overwhelmed by the momentum of the armored charge. As the tanks and Warriors move past buildings, infantry enter the buildings to ensure they are cleared of German soldiers.
The Germans try to hold out against the British and Canadian charge, but the momentum of the charge is too much for them to withstand. Despite causing a few losses, including a Challenger tank destroyed using a Panzerfaust, the Germans are soon forced to begin retreating out of Caen. The Allied forces pursue them all the way out of Caen, taking any they overtake prisoner.
Finally, shortly before sunrise of the 7th, the last German forces retreat out of Caen. Having orders just to secure the city, the British and Canadian forces cease their pursuit and begin setting up defenses on the outskirts of Caen to defend against any possible German counterattacks.
The first day of the invasion is finally at an end. The Allies have secured not only the beacheads, but multiple towns, and made significant inroads into France.
The Allies have taken the first major step towards the defeat of Germany, but the war is far from over.
And, I'll end there.
So, obviously, things are going much better than in history, and the Allies are making significantly more progress (case in point, in history, Caen wasn't captured until July despite being rather close to the beaches).
Next chapter, I'll show the 1st Marine Division taking Cherbourg. That should be up in a week or so. Until then, please leave a review and stay tuned!