| Visions Index |
Country: France
Number: 4
Photo: A) Omaha Beach
Season: Summer (June)
Did you know?
Most people refer to the landing on Omaha Beach as Bloody Omaha. OMAHA was a critical beach which had 100 feet high cliffs overlooking 4 miles of sand. The operation here might have been a total disaster and endangered the success of the Allied invasion if it had not been for the spirit and determination of small groups of soldiers.
The German 716th Coastal Defense Division happened to be joined by the 352nd Infantry Division, there on an exercise, on the day of the invasion. Unknown to the Allies, the amount of German resistance expected on Omaha Beach would be doubled.
Landing runs by assault crafts were made too far from shore, 12 miles (19km), and by the time troops made it to the beach it was a three hour journey in rough water conditions. 27 of the 29 D-D tanks launched to support landing troops sunk, taking their crews with them. Engineers who were supposed to clear obstacles for the incoming soldiers were blown way off course. As the first assault crafts landed, cover was given by Allied ships firing from sea. But as the ramps lowered, the deadly accuracy of the German defenders gave the brave but inexperienced American soldiers little chance of surviving.
As successive waves of American invaders landed, they were amidst the chaos of dead and wounded men, burning vehicles, and wrecked landing craft. Each wave of landing troops suffered greatly. At noon Lt. General Omar Bradley seriously considered evacuating troops as most of the 1st and 29th Infantry were still pinned down on the beach.
Brigadier General Norman D. Cota of the 29th and Colonel Taylor walked along the beach and rallied men. Fortunately enemy bullets did not find them as targets. A company of Rangers who were supposed to be reinforcements for the forces attacking Pointe du Hoc were blown off course and landed instead at Omaha Beach. They managed to gain the foot of the western cliffs and then proceeded to take out one bunker after another, but not without great loss. Slowly the Americans took over German positions and the beachhead was secure at a cost of over 2,000 casualties.
Photo: B) The Memorial at the Normandy American National Cemetery at Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer which overlooks Omaha Beach
Did you know?
This cemetery covers 172 acres which was donated by the French people. The site was chosen for its historical importanceit overlooks the Omaha landing beaches. There are 9,286 graves, 307 of which are unknown soldiers. On these white marble crosses or Stars of David is the inscription Here rests in honored glory a comrade in arms known but to God. On known graves the rank, unit, name, date of death, and home state of the soldier is inscribed. The white cross headstones are laid in straight lines, perpendicular, horizontal, and diagonal, which form a dramatic geometric pattern whichever way you look.
Medal of Honor recipients headstones are lettered in gold. The most famous headstone there is of Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. Next to him lies his youngest brother Lt. Quentin Roosevelt. He was a World War I aviator who died in France and was reinterred there when the cemetery was made.
The memorial is a semi-circular colonnade with stone loggias at each side in which are engraved with vivid battle maps. The bronze sculpted statue in the center of the memorial is called The Spirit of American Youth Rising From the Waves. A reflective pool stands in front of the memorial.
Additional Information:
The success of German defenders at Omaha Beach faded as ammunition ran low. The soldiers of the 915th Regiment who were to be their reinforcements were on a wild goose chase inland. They were seeking paratroopers who reportedly landed before dawn. In reality it was a drop of dummies. Just another tactic used by the Allies to confuse the Germans.
The scene of the invasion stretches along the coast of Normandy from south of Cherbourg and the Cotentin Peninsula to Caen. This stretch of beach was originally (and still is by the French) called the Cote de Nacre which means Mother of Pearl. It lies between the mouths of the Orne and Vire rivers.
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