OPENING UP OMAHA

On the morning of 6 June 1944, the 1st and 29th US Infantry Divisions stormed ashore onto what would come to be called “Bloody Omaha”. Over 2,400 US troops became casualties as the very success of the D-Day operation hung in the balance in the face of unexpectedly stern German resistance. Were it not for the actions of a few brave leaders who inspired their surviving men to get off the beach, the American landings could have been driven back into the sea. One of those men was General Norman “Dutch” Cota, the assistant divisional commander of the 29th Division.

David Hiscocks

Originally a National Guard unit in the pre-war American army, the 29th US Infantry Division had three infantry regiments at its core: the 115th, 116th and 175th. It received its baptism of fire on Omaha Beach. The 116th Regiment would land to the west of the veteran 1st Division. It would be responsible for four sectors of beach. Behind Dog Green, the western-most sector, lay the village of Vierville-sur-Mer. This was a crucial objective as it was one of the few places where vehicles could easily move inland. In pre-war days, the village had been a holiday destination, but by June 1944 it was a heavily defended strongpoint that the German defenders would fight hard to retain. Facing the 116th were the Germans of the 916th Regiment, 352nd Division. Formed…

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Wargames, Soldiers & Strategy (Digital) - 1 Issue, WSS 134

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