In the strategic overall plan of "Overlord", the alias for the Allied landing on the beaches of Normandy, the French village of Sainte-Mère-Église played a key role. On the battle plans, it was designated as an important road junction that the Germans could use for quick counterattacks towards Utah and Omaha Beach. It was therefore of strategic importance to immediately occupy the village and ensure its mastery by American airborne troops. In the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st occupied Division, the two famous US airborne divisions, after fierce fighting, the center of the small French town. The role of American paratroopers has been portrayed and celebrated in numerous films, from "The Longest Day" from the 1960s to newer "war films."