Omaha Beach
49.365247°N 0.857281°W

Omaha Beach looking east. June, 1986

Omaha Beach from German position
49.362856°N 0.857900°W

June, 1986

Omaha Beach was one of five code names used to define sections along the Normandy coast for the invasion of German-held France on June 6, 1944 (D-day) during World War II. The landings were conducted over an area of beach about 5 miles (8 km) long from just west of Vierville-sur-Mer to east of Sainte-Honorine-des-Pertes.

The Americans were responsible for the invasion of both Utah to the west and Omaha Beaches while the British were responsible for Gold and Sword Beaches and the Canadians for Juno Beach to the east. The combined invasion was the largest amphibious landing ever. The 29th and 1st Infantry Divisions were assigned the task of taking Omaha Beach, along with the nine companies of Army Rangers that attacked Point du Hoc to the west, from the German 352nd Infantry Division.

Omaha Beach was more heavily fortified than originally thought which resulted in heavy American casualties. Only two small enclaves along the beach were controlled after the initial day-long battle. The next day, the second wave of American landings was able to take advantage of the positions gained during the first day and secure the beach.

Jack Crane

Omaha Beach

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.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omaha Beach