What was the situation at Omaha Beach? Much the same as the other four beaches where Allied soldiers braved artillery fire, mortar attacks and all-around danger. Let's take a look at what they endured that day.
- Before D-Day, German 75-mm guns were in place (see the foreground of this picture) on Omaha Beach.
- The difficult terrain at Omaha Beach was, in many places, impassable for vehicles and included bluffs west of Vierville Draw.
- In addition to natural barriers at Vierville Draw (and elsewhere), landing troops had to contend with German-built "pillboxes," which shielded enemy guns aimed at approaching Allies.
- The artificial "port," created off Vierville Draw, was destroyed two weeks later during the massive storm of June 21st.
- Les Moulins Draw area, viewed from the east.
- Troops ferried to Omaha Beach carried M1903 rifles and M1 carbines.
- After the landings, sunken ships formed a breakwater just off Les Moulins Draw.
- Men of the 1st Division, loaded with equipment, waded through the cold surf toward shore.
- Other assault troops left the relative safety of their transport vessels and headed toward confrontation on the beach.
- V Corps' D-Day operations at the Omaha Beachhead.
- Heavy fighting took place at "Fox Green Beach" in the eastern half of Omaha Beach.
- Reinforcements (men and equipment) moved inland during the build-up at Omaha Beach known, to some, as "The Tough Beach."
- LSTs, grounded on the beach, allowed equipment to be offloaded directly on shore.
- Despite setbacks, the Omaha Beach assault troops achieved success, although the outcome of their objectives was not clear by the end of June 6th.
- An aerial view of Omaha Beach the day after D-Day.
Thousands of Allies, who attempted D-Day landings, remained in France. The quiet of their final resting place tells us little of the horrors of their deaths.
