Volume 16 , Issue 20

70th Anniversary of WWII's D-Day (6 June 1944)

Want to learn more about the Allied attacks on German-held beaches in France on D-Day?

It was 6 June 1944, Storming Omaha Beach at Normandy (D-Day) was on the horizon and a long awaited invasion by the Allies of Nazi Germany's Fortress Europe. It was a massive assault known by the codename Operation Overlord.

"Under the command of Gen. Eisenhower, Allied naval forces supported by strong air forces began landing Allied armies on this morning (6 June 1944) on the northern coast of France.



The months leading up to D-Day preparations and leading into the first weeks of battles, there was an important operation taking place by the name of Operation Fortitude. It was a two part operation of Fortitude North and Fortitude South, one of the supreme acts of deception of all time.

The 16th regiment of the 1st infantry division of and the 116th regiment of the 29th infantry division were chosen to attack this beach, divided into four landing sectors. They were named: "Charlie," "Dog," "Easy" and "Fox." According to the attack plan of the Pointe du Hoc these units could be reinforced by elements of the 2nd and 5th Rangers battalions.

The first assault wave lands at 06:36 a.m. It is composed of 1,450 soldier who were transported by 36 landing crafts. The tide was low and it uncovered mined piles installed a few months before D-Day. On the other hand, the Americans had to cross a nearly 400 meters long beach without cover before being able to find a minor shelter.

The Germans wait for the last moment to open fire in order to reveal their positions as late as possible. Once the first landing craft touches the ground, a rain of shells and machine gun bullets falls down on the Americans. The first assault wave was immediately decimated. 90% of the assault wave was out of fight in the first five minutes of the attack. All officers and warrant officers were wounded or killed and the survivors organized themselves by small groups.

Check out the DDay-Overlord.com for more information on the history of Omaha Beach and pictures of the beach.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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