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Life story
Operation Cobra was a U.S. offensive launched seven weeks after the D-day landings, during the Normandy campaign of WWII. The intention was to break through the German defenses and create a corridor through which the Allied forces could advance and move toward Brittany. The 8th Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division was sent to wedge through German lines so that the 2nd and 3rd Armored Divisions could move through and encircle the enemy. The 4th Infantry Division was given a small, 2000 yard portion of the line between the 9th Infantry Division and the 30th Infantry Division. The 8th Regiment of the 4th Division was to lead the way, in column formation, through the center. They were heavily reinforced by tanks, tank destroyers, chemical mortars, combat engineers, and heavy artillery. Additionally, the US Army Air Force was set to carpet bomb the area in front of the 8th Regiment’s lines in order to create a shock effect among the German lines, weakening the enemy so that the infantry could eliminate any remaining resistance.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. With a distance of only 1200m between the bombardment line and the infantry line, on the morning of July 25, 1944, the first US bombers hit the intended target, but smoke from the explosions drifted with the wind so that consecutive bombers were left to assume that the smoke marked the drop zone. This caused bombs to fall directly on US ground troops, killing 101 men and wounding 463 before any fighting had even begun.
Chaos and confusion ensued. Colonel James S. Rodwell, commander of the 8th Regiment, moved from company to company, completely ignoring the personal danger involved. As bombs fell on either side of him, he moved along the road and personally led to their respective units those men who had lost contact with their organizations, sent the wounded to seek medical attention, and directed the others to remain under cover. He renewed the courage and confidence of the men and, upon restoring order within his unit, opened and vigorously prosecuted the attack. Remarkably, Operation Cobra began at 1100 hours, at the exact time it was scheduled to commence.
As night fell, and after fighting for 12 hours non stop, the 8th Regiment overcame steep odds and secured their objective. In the days that followed, the 2nd and 3rd Armored Divisions were able to move through the corridor the 4th Infantry Division created to successfully complete Operation Cobra. It was a decisive breakthrough which, after concurrent offensives by the British Second Army and the Canadian First Army, secured the Allied victory in the Normandy Campaign.
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1944
Born July 25
1944
The year Operation was born, the GI Bill was signed into law
BG James S. Rodwell, Commander 8th Regiment during Operation Cobra
Brigadier General James S. Rodwell, then a colonel, commanded the 8th Regiment of the 4th Infantry Division during Operation Cobra. For his leadership and bravery, he was awarded a Silver Star. His citation reads as follows: “On July 25, 1944 in the vicinity of LA COUR DES LANDES, FRANCE. The 8th Infantry Regiment, under the command of General Rodwell, was committed to spearhead a breakthrough in a vital sector, strongly held by the Germans. Friendly planes executed a heavy bombing attack in preparation for the jump-off. Some of the bombs fell upon friendly positions and created much confusion among General Rodwell’s battalions. Quickly sensing the potential dire consequences of this state of confusion, General Rodwell moved from company to company, completely ignoring the personal danger involved, and achieved remarkable success in restoring the courage and confidence of the men. He personally led to their respective units those men who had lost contact with their organizations, and directed the others to remain under cover. At one time, he proceeded along a road while bombs landing on both sides had forced others to seek cover. Upon restoring order within his unit, General Rodwell opened and vigorously prosecuted the attack, which proceeded with gratifying success and became a vital factor in the great American breakthrough near St. Lo. General Rodwell’s actions transformed a disunited and wavering regiment into a positive, well-integrated fighting unit which accomplished its important mission in spite of an initial handicap. His exemplary leadership, timely initiative and personal courage are in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service.”
For his service during WWII, Rodwell was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star, the Legion of Honor, the Croix de Guerre, and the Combatman Infantry Badge. He rose in ranks from Chief of Staff of the 4th Division, landing at Utah Beach on D-Day; to Colonel, leading the 8th Regiment; and finally to Brigadier General, serving as Assistant Division Commander. He fought in all five campaigns of the European Theater.
