Easy+Company+101st+Airborne,+506th+PIR

=Easy Company: 101st Airborne, 506 PIR= By: August A

What made the Easy company men such a cohesive unit, and what did they accomplish during their stature in the war?

The men from company 'E', 101st Airborne, 506th PIR, were a prime a example of how a combat unit should work. They faced much adversity starting with the tough training, landing in Normandy on D-Day, and ending at Hitler's eagle's nest a few __//years//__ later.

They were citizen soldiers; coming from places stretching across the span of the entire United States. Just about no one knew each other. Many came to get their share of fighting over. Some came with fierce scrutiny from their family. But all of them came because they knew it was their duty to serve and defend their nation.

The 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment was originated in Camp Toombs, Georgia; later named Camp Toccoa. Colonel Robert F. Sink was the commander of the 506th and he wanted it to be "The best damn unit" ever. Easy company is the nick-name designated for the 5th company in a regiment. In this case, the first C.O. of Easy Company was Herbert J. Sobel. Many described him as a "strict displinarian". His training helped Easy become the best. When other companies had finished for the day, he would have Easy running up and down 'Currahee' still. Currahee was a mountain that over looked Toccoa. 3 miles up. 3 miles down. The challenges overcome at Toccoa and Currahee was the glue binding the company together.

On June 6, 1944, at 0120 hours, members of the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions began jumping behind enemy lines in Normandy, France. The men became so scattered away from the DZ's that entire companies were split from each other. To make matters worse for Easy, the C-47 carrying the HQ section of Easy, including current C.O. Lieutenant Meehan (Sobel was transfered), was shot down by enemy anti-aircraft fire. No one survived. This meant that Captain Richard Winters would now be the C.O. of Easy. Luckily the men respected Capt. Winters and trusted him as a field officer. Winters, later on in the day, led an assault on Brecourt Manor. Here, a battery of German Howitzers were firing on Utah beach at the 4th Infantry Division that was landing at that exact time. By destroying the battery, many lives were saved and Winters was given the Distinguished Service Cross.

During the remainder of 1944, Easy went on to be very instrumental on the front lines. They captured Carentan, and later move onto a second jump in Zon, Holland as part of the unsuccessful Operation Market Garden, traveling on 'Hell's Highway'. They lost many soldiers but they hadn't reached their breaking point yet. That would be in Bastonge.

In the Battle of the Bulge, Easy and the 101st Airborne were the ones who were trapped in the bulge surrounding the Ardennes Forest. It did not waver them though. They felt confident fighting along side the men that they had faced hardships with before. The bonds they shared as a unit only grew but the mental toll was too great for many. They had been on the front lines for over a hundred days.

Many were lost during the constant shelling from the Germans. After an intense January, the Allies finally broke through the bulge, and relieved the 101st. After a brief time in Hageneau hiding from constant sniper fire, the men pushed all the way into Bertchesgaden. A haven of Nazism, and home to many leaders of the Nazi party, including Hitler's Eagle Nest. Finally when they had reached here, the war in Germany the majority of men who were not staying with the army could go home.