Press Release
☷Lessons Learned U S Army Garrison Wiesbaden visits Normandy battlefields
U.S. Army ( By Press Release office)
May 05,2022
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Staff members from U . S . Army Garrison Wiesbaden visited World War II battlefields in Normandy , France , providing unforgettable perspective into the accomplishments and suffering of our Soldiers 78 years ago in Operation Overlord . WIESBADEN , GERMANY - - On April 27 - 29 , 42 staff members from U . S . Army Garrison Wiesbaden visited World War II battlefields in Normandy , France , providing unforgettable perspective into the accomplishments and suffering of our Soldiers 78 years ago in Operation Overlord . From the artificial harbor at Arromanches to the Longues - sur - Mer German fortification , and from the Omaha and Utah landing beaches to even the American military cemetery – these historical sites brought keen awareness to how important cooperation and cohesion among military units was during the Normandy landings for the liberation of Europe . The Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6 , 1944 was the culmination of over three years of relentless work to organize , train and equip a force capable of breaking into “Fortress Europe” . Without in - depth planning from military staff and an expansive network of civilian experts , the military successes would not have been possible . This cooperation is the guiding principle today for the USAG Wiesbaden to support our Soldiers in the best possible manner . In doing so , the lessons learned 78 years ago can be transferred to the here and now , in a fundamental way . Empowerment is the key factor Omaha Beach , serving as a connecting link between U . S . troops and Allied troops may stand as example . As the troops hit the beaches , they faced devastating machine gun fire that turned the shoreline into a vast killing field . Many of the lessons from that day are timeless . "Empowerment is the key factor . One must have strategies for quick decision - making , for functional logistics and for individual initiative . This is what distinguishes us from our enemy at the time and continues to distinguish us in our garrison work today , " said USAG Wiesbaden Garrison Commander Col . Mario A . Washington , in his Commanders Seminar on the evening of the first day . Soldier’s capacity for mental flexibility and retained knowledge , as well as understanding the overarching mission was critical . "Not everything went well on D - Day , " Washington said . "There was a plan that didn ' t work , but the Soldiers understood the mission , which is how we as a garrison today need to understand our mission to serve the Soldiers . We need to prepare for the future today . No one knows what the future holds for us . " "A decisive factor is also the trust in the Soldiers and today in the employees , " said USAG Wiesbaden Command Sgt . Maj . Richard A . Russell . German fortification at Batterie Longues - sur - Mer . The Germans had no confidence in their soldiers . The entire decision - making process was concentrated on Adolf Hitler . He distrusted his officers , the officers distrusted their non - commissioned officers , and they in turn distrusted their enlisted men . Quick decisions on the ground were then almost impossible . Culin Hedgerow Cutter Seeing pictures of a Sherman tank with creepy giant teeth on its front , while visiting the Utah Beach museum , showed another excellent example of initiative and innovation by a junior - ranked Soldier , who massively supported the Normandy landings with his innovation for hedgerow fighting . Sgt . Curtis Grubb Culin III came up with a four - pronged plow device created from scrap steel off German roadblocks . When attached to the front of his tank it was successful in rapidly plowing gaps into the hedgerows , making way for the Sherman tank to burst through . Culin took what the Army taught him about initiative and saw an opportunity . Culin brought up his idea to his captain , then to the major , to the colonel , and it got high enough that somebody did something about it - and that was General Bradley – and he took action very quickly . As a result , just six weeks after D - Day , around 60% of the Shermans were equiped with the Culin cutter and thus saved lifes of many Soldiers . This is just one example of many , showcasing how supporting the innovation and initiative of individuals within the Army ' s forces , no matter what rank , proved successful across these battlefields . American military cemetery The team ' s visit to the American military cemetery at Omaha Beach and witnessing a flag ceremony , was sobering in tone . The cemetery sits on a cliff , on the Normandy coastline . Overlooking Omaha beach , there are about 10 , 000 white crosses lined up , all pointing toward America . It should be noted that the families of the fallen were asked at the time if their loved one should be transported back to the States . Two - thirds decided to do so . On 70 hectares of land , the cemetery is the final resting place of countless American Soldiers who gave their lives in the WWII during the first stage of the Normandy battles on June 6 , 1944 . USAG Wiesbaden Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commander , Cpt . Alexander Moore , who organized the Staff Ride , looking through an embrasure of a German bunker at Pointe du Hoc . "In general , a Battlefield Ride is an extended visit of a battlefield and an opportunity to learn appropriate lessons from what happened , " said USAG Wiesbaden Headquarters and Headquarters Company Commander , Cpt . Alexander Moore , who organized the staff ride . The ride gave insight into the physical , emotional and intellectual challenges typical of combat situations . The ride also provided a format for understanding the human element of combat and the successes and failures of various military leaders when faced with specific dilemmas . "It complements your knowledge base and makes us even more aware of how important it is for us as a garrison to support the Soldiers in the best possible way , " said Dalvir Singh , an agreements manager with the Directorate of Resource Management , and one of the staff ride participants .
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