Utah Beach
Adding Utah Beach to the invasion was a bit of an afterthought to the plan. Utah Beach was able to put US Corps within 60 kilometers of Cherbourg and was a major port to our allies. The beach defenses were not our major obstacle, more so the flooded and rough terrain and blocked our way to the north.
Adding Utah Beach to the invasion was a bit of an afterthought to the plan. Utah Beach was able to put US Corps within 60 kilometers of Cherbourg and was a major port to our allies. The beach defenses were not our major obstacle, more so the flooded and rough terrain and blocked our way to the north.
Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach was the most heavily defended beach used in D-Day so at least one vereran from the US division was tasked to land there. It also had difficult terrain with a crescent curve, and an unusual assortment of bluffs, cliffs and draws were easily recognizable from the sea. Omaha Beach was what linked the US and British beaches. Many planners did not believe it was a likely place for a major landing because it was the most defensible beach. Because of this any advance made by US troops from the beach would be limited to narrow passages between the bluffs.
Omaha Beach was the most heavily defended beach used in D-Day so at least one vereran from the US division was tasked to land there. It also had difficult terrain with a crescent curve, and an unusual assortment of bluffs, cliffs and draws were easily recognizable from the sea. Omaha Beach was what linked the US and British beaches. Many planners did not believe it was a likely place for a major landing because it was the most defensible beach. Because of this any advance made by US troops from the beach would be limited to narrow passages between the bluffs.
Gold Beach
The Gold Beach was the landing space of the 50th Division of the British 2nd Army. The main thing the beach was used for was to take Arrolnaches and then use that to take the road junction at Bayeux. The initial plan was to use lots of force, but they marched right through and used only a little force. The British used lots of booby traps and mine fields to prevent anyone from getting to their tanks and vehicles and stealing them.
The Gold Beach was the landing space of the 50th Division of the British 2nd Army. The main thing the beach was used for was to take Arrolnaches and then use that to take the road junction at Bayeux. The initial plan was to use lots of force, but they marched right through and used only a little force. The British used lots of booby traps and mine fields to prevent anyone from getting to their tanks and vehicles and stealing them.
Juno Beach
Juno beach was the landing area for the 3rd Canadian Division. In memory of the 2nd Canadian Division's destruction at Dieppe, the Canadians were very concerned about their role in the invasion. Although many lessons had been learned from this and in spite of heavy opposition at Courselles-sur-Mer the 3rd Canadian Division broke through and advanced nearly to their objective. During this there was a moderate amount of casualties but the Canadians had made the deepest penetration of any land forces of June 6th.
Juno beach was the landing area for the 3rd Canadian Division. In memory of the 2nd Canadian Division's destruction at Dieppe, the Canadians were very concerned about their role in the invasion. Although many lessons had been learned from this and in spite of heavy opposition at Courselles-sur-Mer the 3rd Canadian Division broke through and advanced nearly to their objective. During this there was a moderate amount of casualties but the Canadians had made the deepest penetration of any land forces of June 6th.
Sword Beach
Sword Beach was the objective of the British 3rd Infantry Division. They were supposed to advance as far as Caen and line up with British Airborne forces east of the Orne River/Caen Canal.On the 5th of June the Orne River bridges had been seized late at night by a glider-borne reinforced company commanded by Maj. John Howard. British forces penetrated quite a ways inland after breaking the opposition at water's edge as at the other beaches. Given the traffic jams and resistance encountered further inland the objective of Caen was most likely asking too much of a single infantry division.
Sword Beach was the objective of the British 3rd Infantry Division. They were supposed to advance as far as Caen and line up with British Airborne forces east of the Orne River/Caen Canal.On the 5th of June the Orne River bridges had been seized late at night by a glider-borne reinforced company commanded by Maj. John Howard. British forces penetrated quite a ways inland after breaking the opposition at water's edge as at the other beaches. Given the traffic jams and resistance encountered further inland the objective of Caen was most likely asking too much of a single infantry division.