David Marshall “Carbine” Williams' story was made famous in the 1952 film starring James Stewart, but his legend has become somewhat larger than the real story. Still the unlikely story of “Carbine” Williams is history that deserves to be remembered.
By September of 1944, the Western Allies had broken out of the Normandy beachehead, and suddenly and quickly moved across northern France . By September 7th, the 90th division was stretched across the northern sector on Patton’s Third Army’s left, advancing slowly northeast. As they did so the German defenders made a risky attack in an effort to spoil the allied advance, cutting through Allied lines in a surprise action at the small town of Mairy-Mannville.