Omaha Beach*
(Revised for V4)*
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Date: June 6, 1944*
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Battle Type: US Assault vs German Defend*
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Design: Bill Wilson*
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     "You will enter the continent of Europe and, in conjunction with the other United Nations, undertake operations aimed at the heart of Germany and the destruction of her armed forces."  With these words, U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower was tasked to undertake the liberation of Nazi-occupied Western Europe.*
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     The Allied plan for the invasion of Europe included landings on two British, one Canadian, and two American beaches.  The two American beaches were on the western end of the invasion, and were code-named OMAHA and UTAH.  Of the two beaches, Omaha was the most critical because of its position between Utah Beach and the British beaches.  If the invasion at Omaha were to fail, the Germans would have the easy task of defeating the separate areas of the invasion in detail.  For D-Day to be a success, Omaha had to be a success.*
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     Two reinforced infantry regiments, the 16th and the 116th, assaulted Omaha Beach at 0630 on Tuesday, June 6th, 1944.  Surprised by the presence of unexpected and experienced German infantry battalions, bedeviled by rough seas and inadequate air and naval support, the United States Army almost suffered a disastrous defeat at Omaha.*
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     Eventually, individual initiative, small-unit leadership, and extraordinary valor carried the Americans forward.  Before the day ended, the U.S. had suffered over 2,000 casualties.  The Germans, who defended Omaha with great skill and energy, suffered over 1,000 casualties.  Failure to energetically counterattack allowed the U.S. to consolidate the beachhead and eventually link up with the other beachheads.*
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     THIS EMBATTLED SHORE*
     PORTAL OF FREEDOM*
     IS FOREVER HALLOWED BY*
     THE IDEALS, THE VALOR AND THE SACRIFICES*
     OF OUR FELLOW COUNTRYMEN*
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- Inscription on the Colonnade of the American Military Cemetery on Omaha Beach*
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"Rangers lead the way!" (General Norman Cota, ADC 29th ID, Omaha Beach, 6/6/1944)*
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"There's only two kinds of men staying on this beach: Those who are dead and those who are going to die -- now let's get the Hell out of here!" (Col. George Taylor, CO 16th Infantry, 6/6/1944)*
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Your mission, as Commander of Force "O", is to seize a beachhead between Cabourg and Vierville.  Control of the exits leading inland from the beach is essential.*
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German resistance is certain to be heavy.  Intelligence estimates the Germans are defending Omaha Beach with a reinforced battalion.  To overwhelm these forces, you have two reinforced infantry regiments.  There will be many mines and obstacles - but you have many engineers to support your advance.  In addition, every boat landing team has a support team equipped with wire cutters and heavy weapons.  Your tank support from the 741st and 743rd Tank Battalions will land first to provide fire support for your assault companies.  Naval gunfire will taper off as you land to reduce the risk of friendly fire casualties.*
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Unit Abbreviations:*
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AAA - Anti-Aircraft Artillery*
B/116th Inf - Co. "B" 116th Infantry*
Elm - Elements*
GR - Grenadier Regiment*
GW - Granat Werfer (Mortar)*
Inf - Infantry Regiment*
VertBereichKdr - Commander of local defenses*
WN - Wiederstandsnest (Strongpoint)*
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Sources:*
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"Cross Channel Attack" (U.S. Army)*
"D-Day" (Stephen Ambrose)*
"Omaha Beachhead" (U.S. War Dept.)*
"The Longest Day" (Cornelius Ryan)*
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