Rommel’s initial recommendations for the refutation of the Atlantic Wall consisted of descriptions of where the Allies would land and why, and how to best use Germany’s limited resources to fight off the intruder. Rommel’s recommendations consisted of massive minefields, foreshore obstacles such as concrete bunkers and underwater devices, and air–landing obstacles. The use of minefields as a means of defense for the Atlantic Wall was influenced by Rommel’s campaign against the British in North Africa, which “made the maximum possible use of mines in constructing their new line” for the defense of Tobruk, which cost the Afrika Korps many men but taught Rommel “the value of the British large–scale mining.” The extensive …show more content…
Eight further sectors were added when the planned invasion was extended to include Utah on the Cotentin Peninsula. Sectors were further subdivided into beaches identified by the colors Green, Red and White. Omaha was bound at either end by large rocky cliffs, the crescent shaped beach presented a gently sloping tidal area averaging 300 yards (275 m) between low and high-water marks. Above the tide line was a bank of shingle 8 feet (2.4 m) high and upwards to 15 yards (14 m) wide in some spots. At the western end, the shingle bank rested against a stone (further east becoming wood) sea wall which ranged from 4–12 feet (1.5–4 m) in height. For the remaining two thirds of the beach after the seawall ended, the shingle lay against a low sand embankment. Can the sand embankment and sea wall lay a level shelf of sand, narrow at either goal and carrying up to 200 yards (180 m) inland in the heart. Steep escarpments or bluffs then rose 100–170 feet (30–50 m), commanding the whole beach and cut into by small wooded valleys or draws at five points on the beach, codenamed west to east D-1, D-3, E-1, E-3 and …show more content…
Offices within each strongpoint were interconnected by trenches and tunnels. As well as the basic weaponry of rifles and machine guns, a sum of over 60 light artillery pieces was deployed at these harder levels. A total of over 60 light artillery pieces was deployed at these harder levels. The heaviest pieces were located in eight gun casemates and four open positions while the lighter guns were housed in 35 pillboxes. A further 18 anti-tank guns completed the disposition of artillery targeting the beach. The areas between the strong points were lightly manned with occasional trenches, rifle pits, and a further 85 machine-gun emplacements. No area of the beach was left uncovered, and the disposition of weapons meant that flanking fire could be brought to bear anywhere along the