Battle of Graignes

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Battle of Graignes
Part of the American airborne landings in Normandy
Memorial to the citizens of Graignes and American paratroopers of the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division
Date June 10–12, 1944 Location Graignes, France 49°15′N 1°12′W / 49.25°N 1.2°W / 49.25; -1.2 Result German victory
Belligerents
United States	Nazi Germany
Commanders and leaders
Charles D. Johnston † Leroy D. Brummitt	Werner Ostendorff
Strength
182 paratroopers of the 3rd Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment	17th SS Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen
Casualties and losses
32 dead (incl. 17 executed)	Unknown
26 civilians executed

The Battle of Graignes was part of the American airborne landings in Normandy during the early stages of Operation Overlord in World War II, fought between June 10–12, 1944 in Graignes, France. During the engagement, American paratroopers of the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division held the town for two days against the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division Götz von Berlichingen. This action delayed the 17th SS Panzergrenadier's counterattack on Carentan, which was repulsed at the Battle of Bloody Gulch on June 13. After retaking Graignes, the German troops massacred 44 civilians and a number of prisoners of war taken in the capture of an American aid station, and set fire to the town.