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Keith Medlin
United States
Holly Springs
North Carolina
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I wanted to write a little article about how the 4th of July is represented within the ASL system in scenarios featuring American forces. That said, there were none. There are plenty featuring the Russians and Canadians for July 4th, but no American scenarios. So...I guess I'll have to go outside ASL for this little entry into The Rally Phase.
The one tale that comes to mind and sums up the sacrifice and endurance of American soldiers is the battle around the village of Sainteny north of St. Lo. That said, it is just to the southwest of Carentan.
Beginning on July 3rd, 1944 the US 7th Corps and 83rd & 90th Infantry Divisions face off against stern resistance from the German 7th Army. In particular the forces defending Sainteny are made up of the 6th German Parachute Regiment and the SS Pomegranates Division commanded by Götz von Berlichingen.
During the fighting on the 5th of July, American forces advanced 200 yards and took 7 prisoners while losing 1,500 troops. Unfortunately, this kind of slaughter might not make a great ASL scenario and could be a contributing factor to why this isn't taken up by the system so far, but it's worth mentioning.
Here is a photo taken after the fighting showing three dead German soldiers on a road just outside Sainteny.
The sacrifices of soldiers on all sides were considerable. While we honor our war dead in the US on Memorial Day, we would be remiss not to consider how our war dead have contributed to the liberation and freedom secured by their blood in foreign countries so that others may enjoy a similar freedom.
It's all too easy to be cynical about the word freedom or about the politics that swirl around modern use of the word. It is not hard, however, to take a moment and silently thank those who gave their lives in the effort to secure freedom for others.
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