Those of you who have witnessed the opening scenes of Saving Private Ryan, the marvelous film produced by Steven Spielberg, may have a fair idea of the hell on that day.
Omaha is a long flat wide beach with dunes preventing access inland. The Germans, under Field-Marshall Erwin Rommel’s direction, had set up excellent defensive positions with machine guns and heavier weapons. On the beaches he had built many obstacles, including tank traps, mines and boat rippers.
The American infantry troops therefore had to arrive at low tide for the landing craft to avoid these obstacles but that would force the soldiers to move over a large exposed width of beach.
For the Germans it was a turkey shoot. Many landing craft were destroyed by their artillery whilst still approaching the beach. Many soldiers were dropped off by the landing craft too early and drowned as a result of their equipment becoming waterlogged.
As the landing craft lowered their doors the German machine gunners were provided with the perfect target and they poured fire into these apertures, killing and wounding many soldiers. The first assault wave was a complete failure with whole regiments being decimated. The sea became red from the blood of the victims as their bodies were washed onto the seashore.
The next assault wave was more successful as a few good commanders took control and coaxed their men to advance along the beaches as quickly as possible. A team of engineers eventually breached a dune with Bangalore Torpedoes and the infantry poured through the gap to attack the enemy from their flank.
Over 4,500 American troops were killed on Omaha Beach and many more were injured and missing. It was really hell on earth. What really won this battle was the sheer masses of soldiers and the bravery of the American GI.
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