Omaha Beach by FriedaFelicia
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Description
From Wikipedia:
Omaha Beach is the code name for one of the five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, during World War II.
The beach is located on the coast of Normandy, France, facing the English Channel, and is 5 miles (8 km) long, from east of Sainte-Honorine-des-Pertes to west of Vierville-sur-Mer on the right bank of the Douve River estuary. Landings here were necessary in order to link up the British landings to the east at Gold beach with the American landing to the west at Utah beach, thus providing a continuous lodgement on the Normandy coast of the Bay of the Seine. Taking Omaha was to be the responsibility of United States Army troops, with sea transport provided by the U.S. Navy and elements of the Royal Navy.
On D-Day, the untested 29th Infantry Division, joined by nine companies of U.S. Army Rangers redirected from Pointe du Hoc, were to assault the western half of the beach. The battle-hardened 1st Infantry Division was given the eastern half. The initial assault waves, consisting of tanks, infantry, and combat engineer forces, were carefully planned to reduce the coastal defenses and allow the larger ships of the follow-up waves to land.
The primary objective at Omaha was to secure a beachhead of some five miles (eight kilometres) depth, between Port-en-Bessin and the Vire River, linking with the British landings at Gold Beach to the east, and reaching the area of Isigny to the west to link up with VII Corps landing at Utah Beach. Opposing the landings was the German 352nd Infantry Division, a large portion of whom were teenagers, though they were supplemented by veterans who had fought on the Eastern Front. The 352nd had never had any battalion or regimental training. Of the 12,020 men of the division, only 6,800 were experienced combat troops, detailed to defend a 53 km front. The Germans were largely deployed in strongpoints along the coast�the German strategy was based on defeating any seaborne assault at the water line.
Very little went as planned during the landing at Omaha Beach. Difficulties in navigation caused the majority of landing craft to miss their targets throughout the day. The defenses were unexpectedly strong, and inflicted heavy casualties on landing US troops. Under heavy fire, the engineers struggled to clear the beach obstacles; later landings bunched up around the few channels that were cleared. Weakened by the casualties taken just in landing, the surviving assault troops could not clear the heavily defended exits off the beach. This caused further problems and consequent delays for later landings. Small penetrations were eventually achieved by groups of survivors making improvised assaults, scaling the bluffs between the most heavily defended points. By the end of the day, two small isolated footholds had been won, which were subsequently exploited against weaker defenses further inland, thus achieving the original D-Day objectives over the following days.
Comments (28)
GiMi53
A very well composed image... and a good tribute to those fighting for our freedom ! :~)
awjay
so many gave so much......
Mondwin
Sehr schöne Arbeit!!!Bravissima!V:DDD.Gruß Whylma
BorisB
An amazing composition!!
tennesseecowgirl
beautiful work!
Sea_Dog
Wonderful composition, a beautiful image.
MrsLubner
Such a chilling history and look at it now. Blissful shot.
cryptojoe
Lovely view, wonderful history lesson. Engineers! Gotta love 'em!
Hendesse
What a fantastic view and the colors look wonderful. Excellent shot!
alanwilliams
amazing picture so bright and interesting
Blush
Lovely scenic view Hugs Susan~
lick.a.witch
Lovely tribute and image. ^=^
MagikUnicorn
Gorgeous capture...good eye
morningglory
What a powerful scene. Beautiul image.
Faemike55
Wonderful image and great description
kbrog
Beautiful capture! :)
prutzworks
great composition and colors
fredster66
Wow. This is amazing! Fine looking image!
sawade
Hi, thankyou for this pic. It is impressive, to see this beach. Now so peaceful. And 1944.... there was written history - and the beginning of freeing Germany too. In the WW II there were so many battles, but this is well known in many details until yet, we all will never forget, in Germany too. All the best, Bernd
jmb007
interessant!!!
pauldeleu
Very impressive!
jjoker
Very interesting picture and subject. Great shot!
KarmaSong
Une magnifique composition photographique: du très beau travail !
moochagoo
Quite good composition here ! Bravo !
danapommet
Wonderful to gaze over this peaceful scene but still remember the horrors of 66 years ago. Thank you for the narrative that you supplied. God bless those that fought there. Dana
mariogiannecchini
Wonderful image and great history !
Denisss
Tres belle composition et magnifiques couleurs.
alida
what a photo!!very goo,imho