The American Invasion: The Omaha Beach Invasion

The ability to overcome adversity was the biggest challenge faced during the invasion. I can only imagine what if felt like walking into near-certain death. Countless soldiers faced one of the toughest operations in history of modern warfare. Originally Eisenhower chose June 5, 1944, as the invasion date; however, due to bad weather, it was postponed twenty-four hours. “Later that day, more than 5,000 ships and landing craft carrying troops and supplies left England for the trip across the Channel to France, while more than 11,000 aircraft were mobilized to provide air cover and support for the invasion.” (“History.com Staff” n.p.). Prior to the beach landings, there were already thousands of paratroopers on the ground behind enemy lines, securing bridges and exit roads. There were five main beaches each having a designated unit or force to carry out the assault. The British and Canadians overcame light opposition to capture beaches Gold, Juno, and Sword, as did the Americans at Utah Beach. On Omaha Beach the U.S forces faced heavy resistance where there were over 2,000 American casualties. “Halfway between Omaha and Utah Beach, the Pointe du Hoc dominated the sea from its vertical cliff.” (“Pointe” n.p.). During the planning period the Allied commanders designated Pointe du Hoc as a high-value target. …show more content…
In many ways once, the Allies pushed through Hitler’s Atlantic wall German morale dropped significantly. Many said that the Atlantic wall was impossible to penetrate, but the Allies overcame the odds and drove the Germans into a retreat. “D-Day opened another major front, where the bulk of America’s rapidly expanding army could, at last, be brought to bear.” (“Carter” n.p.). Majority of the soldiers that lost their lives on that fateful day are buried at the American Cemetery in Normandy. The cemetery itself is in the hills of Normandy and overlooks the English