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Without using Google,Wiki, or any other search engine...using only what you know the second you read the question -- Give your opinion why Marines, trained in Amphibious landing, were not used at Normandy on D-Day.
Let's keep this civil, because this is a topic that could easily go awry.
Thoughts?
Opinions?
Facts?
Insider information?
Let's keep this civil, because this is a topic that could easily go awry.
Thoughts?
Opinions?
Facts?
Insider information?
Posted in these groups: 
D-Day
D-Day
Edited 11 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 131
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The reason was simple, two days after Normandy, Marines landed on Saipan, Marines were also, engaged in fighting in other parts of the world. It was simple Logistics. Pattons plan for the invasion did include marines. But he was not part of the planning.
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Marines were fighting in the Pacific Along with the navy way before the invasion with Normandy. I think we were Invading Okinawa (not 100% sure) when D-Day happened.
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Because the Marines were busy with repeated amphibious landings in the Pacific Theater.
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The Marines were too busy helping the Army in the SW Pacific Theater and they had their own Central Pacific Theater. Only can stretch 6 Divisions so far.
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Without reading any other responses, I'm going to say that it's because they were already so heavily committed to the Pacific campaign.
Now I'll go read.....
Now I'll go read.....
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The reason is simple, the Marines were busy with Japan. You're not going to move all your forces out of a theater for one operation, besides they had a larger landing that they eventually launched into Okinawa, well larger in that more men were used in the landing and combat.
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LTC Paul Labrador
The INITIAL assault wave into Normandy on D-Day was comprised of 2 corps (V and VII) of American Infantry totalling 4 American infantry divisions, 2 American airborne divisions, 1 Canadian infantry division, 2 British Infantry divisions and 1 British Airborne Division. That is not even counting the support elements (engineer and armor) that went ashore on D-Day as well. And that was only the initial assault on D-day. That is not even counting the follow-on forces that landed on D-Day +1 and beyond. VII corps BY ITSELF was almost as large as the entire USMC total strength.
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LTC Paul Labrador
Okinawa had only 5 divisions participating: 2 Marine and 2 Army, with an additional Marine Division in operational reserve.
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Cpl Ray Fernandez
You had a 160 thousand soldiers at Normandy, at Okinawa you had a landing force of 180,000 Marines and soldiers.
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Cpl Ray Fernandez
I'm talking about manpower, not equipment. Even after the initial assault man and material continued to move into Europe through Normandy so the total men and equipment after the combat portion was larger.
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Thats Easy, they where in the Pacific. Even in WW2, when the US military was at its largest, the Marines did not have the manpower to fight two wars. The marine core of WW2 was about the size of the current Active Duty Army, give or take, the Army of WW2 was about the size of our entire modern US military, including reserves. The Army fought in every theater of WW2, the Marines just weren't large enough to do the same.
It is the same reason why the the invasion plans for Japan called for about one Marine division for every 3-4 Army divisions that would be landing. When its time for the big, knock out, hold nothing back battle, it is going to be the Army leading the show, that's what we're made for.
It is the same reason why the the invasion plans for Japan called for about one Marine division for every 3-4 Army divisions that would be landing. When its time for the big, knock out, hold nothing back battle, it is going to be the Army leading the show, that's what we're made for.
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LTC Paul Labrador
Posted was the campaign plan for Operation Downfall. Only 3 Marine Divisions were slated to participate.
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The Marines got most of the credit for Belleau Wood, even though it was mostly an Army battle. That pissed off George Marshall. When he was head of the JCS, he forbid Marines from having ANY involvement in the European Theater. This included a Marine Corsair squadron that trained for a special mission against a high priority target (nuclear development site?) in Germany.
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PO1 Chris Crawley
Try studying actual history, instead of boot camp propaganda. Allied forces at Belleau Wood included elements of the British IX Corps, elements of the French 6th Army (heaviest involvement was by 167th Division), and US Army 3rd Division and 2nd Division (including 1 USMC brigade). Yes, the Marine brigade outperformed the other units (which were larger and better equipped), but without the 167th and the Army artillery, they would not have won the day.
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PO1 Chris Crawley
Oh, and King is definitely not my hero. The research on him was for a large project in a college course in 20th century geopolitics, and involved King, Marshall, Leahy, the British service chiefs, and Prime Minister Churchill. It was Marshall who was butthurt over the accolades the Marines received at Belleau Wood.
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COL Charles Williams
Belleau Wood is not a good example? There is politics involved it what the branches do and don't do Sgt John Burch. Either way, there is no reason to hostile in a discussion about history. All points and opinions have value and merit, even if you don't agree.
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PO1 Chris Crawley
Sgt Brett,
back to the original question, the Marines were completely shut out of Europe because General Marshall, rightly or wrongly, was butthurt over the amount of credit and glory given to the Marines at Belleau Wood.
Marshall was known to carry grudges, and he acted on them even if it meant a strategic error could occur. I don't recall offhand what his role was at Belleau Wood or that overall offensive, but his hatred of the Marines 25 years later shows a big character flaw.
back to the original question, the Marines were completely shut out of Europe because General Marshall, rightly or wrongly, was butthurt over the amount of credit and glory given to the Marines at Belleau Wood.
Marshall was known to carry grudges, and he acted on them even if it meant a strategic error could occur. I don't recall offhand what his role was at Belleau Wood or that overall offensive, but his hatred of the Marines 25 years later shows a big character flaw.
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