On June 6, 1944, American paratroopers were dropped in Normandy. Faced with terrible conditions, many of them landed dozens of kilometers from their original drop zone. This was the case for several soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division who found themselves on the outskirts of the small village of Graignes, 30 kilometers from their original drop zone. With the help of the local population, the paratroopers decided to establish a defensive position there, which was soon besieged by an SS division. Despite the bravery of these soldiers and the courage of some of the inhabitants, who were willing to do anything to help the Americans, the situation quickly became desperate and Graignes would be remembered as the scene of massacres perpetrated by the Nazis and as the little Fort Alamo of Normandy in the memories of the American soldiers.—David Aboucaya