Description
DVD
Format: Full Screen
Running Time: 53 minutes
Not Rated
2019
The mortal ferocity of the four-day battle for control of the small stone bridge over the Merderet River at La Fiere in Normandy is testament to the bridge's strategic importance in the D-Day invasion of June 1944. Without control of the bridge, and its vital causeway, American forces coming from Utah Beach would not have been able to force their way inland.
Fought largely by paratroopers and glidermen from the 82nd Airborne Division, the battle to secure the bridge at La Fiere is described as "probably the bloodiest small unit struggle in the experience of American arms." Victory at La Fiere cost more than 250 American lives, and yet the fateful engagement's story is largely untold.
To mark the 75th anniversary of the Normandy invasion, the WWII Media and Education Center at The National WWII Museum has teamed with Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) to produce a new documentary, Seize & Secure: The Battle for La Fiere, narrated by Mark Harmon. Capturing the La Fiere story for the first time in documentary form, the production will call on military historian Colonel Kevin W. Farrell, PhD, and Museum Samuel Zemurray Stone Senior Historian Robert M. Citino, PhD, as on-camera analysts. The film will also draw on historic and contemporary images and footage of the battle scene, as well as eyewitness accounts by WWII veterans who fought there.
"Beyond the operational role that La Fiere played in terms of keeping the (invasion) timetable on schedule, there's another reason to study the Battle of La Fiere Bridge, and that's valor," Citino said. "This isn't just a great moment in the history of the US Army, it's a moment, I think, that should make all Americans proud. La Fiere is a battle for the ages, and I'm glad to finally see it getting the attention it deserves."
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7 Reviews
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Intriguing History
A well-told story of a less well-known part of D-Day. The courage of the 82 Airborne troops was inspiring. (The 101st got all the screen play in "The Longest Day.") La Fiere ranks right up there with the British Pegasus Bridge operation, which, although far less bloody, was probably equally important.
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Seize and Secure - The Battle for La Fiere
This was good as far as it went. I was disappointed that it did not deal with, or even mention, the death of Charles DeGlopper - the 82d BAR man who, on June 9, sacrificed his life so that his platoon could withdraw under his covering fire and who, as a result, was awarded the Medal of Honor.
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Excellent portrayal of a little-known event/battle in World War II that made a huge impact upon the overall campaign in Normandy.
Moving and powerful story; the veteran interviews were amazing and the commentary by the historians helped highlight how close this bloody contest was in its final outcome. Very good documentary.
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Does Not Rise To The Level of Its Heroes
While this is an interesting and informative treatment of the Battle of LaFiere, it approaches the subject in more of a case study or after action report methodology and fails to convey adequately the sheer ferocity and staggering violence of the battle. Perhaps because of the modest and soft-spoken demeanor of the veterans who appear in the film the individual acts of astounding heroism are understated or unmentioned. For the viewer who knows little of this battle, the film is a good introduction and summary. For the student of WWII military history it is unremarkable and falls short . The story is better told in the many books and articles written by the paratroopers who fought there, from Generals Ridgeway and Gavin all the way down to the privates who dashed desperately across the bridge and into almost certain death.
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KNEW NOTHING ABOUT HOW COMPLEX THIS TASK WAS
VERY GOOD
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Seize and Secure: The Battle at La Fiere
This is an excellent, general overview of probably the bloodiest engagement of WWII, a fight that helped guarantee the overall success of the Normandy Invasion.
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Seize and Secure DVD
Very professionally done with great maps and graphics. I have been to La Fiere Bridge but this provided a much better background to the heroics of the airborne troops than the local guide on the ground. Well Done!!
