The aftermath of D Day
6 Juin, 1944 Our previous emphases on Omaha Beach gave short shrift to the other landing sites. This should do a bit to fill in some of those gaps with photos. Click on some of the WW2 photos of a site and you will also see that location as it is today. Don't you love stuff like that? TD
Omaha Beach - Vierville Draw
The beach depicted in "Saving Private Ryan".
This is the view from a post-war pier off of Vierville Draw. High tide is shown here, which is not historical. The date and time of the invasion was set for the lowest possible tide, so that German beach obstacle would all be above water and of little threat to the landing craft. At the time of the initial landings, about 6:30am, the waterline was approximately 300 to 400 yards out. The invasion plan was for Company C of the 2nd Rangers to land to the right of the draw in two LCAs. Company A of the 116th would land from six LCAs with three boats on either side of the draw. To the left of Co A, it was intended that Companies G, F, and E of the 116th would simultaneously land on the next mile of beach and advance inland along with Co A and the 743rd Tank Bn. In reality, poor visibility from brush fires (caused by the bombardment) along with strong currents took Companies G, F, and E far off course. Co E was a full mile off course and fought with the 1st Division. Companies F and G landed near Les Moulins Draw, the next beach exit. This left Co A, 116th and Co. C, 2nd Rangers to attack Vierville Draw alone. Bad luck continued as one of the six boats transporting Co A sprung a leak and sank, resulting in one man drowning and the rest of the men struggling to stay afloat before being rescued. The remaining five boats continued on and beached." . . .
Typos corrected, TD
Much more here.
6 Juin, 1944 Our previous emphases on Omaha Beach gave short shrift to the other landing sites. This should do a bit to fill in some of those gaps with photos. Click on some of the WW2 photos of a site and you will also see that location as it is today. Don't you love stuff like that? TD
Omaha Beach - Vierville Draw
The beach depicted in "Saving Private Ryan".
This is the view from a post-war pier off of Vierville Draw. High tide is shown here, which is not historical. The date and time of the invasion was set for the lowest possible tide, so that German beach obstacle would all be above water and of little threat to the landing craft. At the time of the initial landings, about 6:30am, the waterline was approximately 300 to 400 yards out. The invasion plan was for Company C of the 2nd Rangers to land to the right of the draw in two LCAs. Company A of the 116th would land from six LCAs with three boats on either side of the draw. To the left of Co A, it was intended that Companies G, F, and E of the 116th would simultaneously land on the next mile of beach and advance inland along with Co A and the 743rd Tank Bn. In reality, poor visibility from brush fires (caused by the bombardment) along with strong currents took Companies G, F, and E far off course. Co E was a full mile off course and fought with the 1st Division. Companies F and G landed near Les Moulins Draw, the next beach exit. This left Co A, 116th and Co. C, 2nd Rangers to attack Vierville Draw alone. Bad luck continued as one of the six boats transporting Co A sprung a leak and sank, resulting in one man drowning and the rest of the men struggling to stay afloat before being rescued. The remaining five boats continued on and beached." . . .
Typos corrected, TD
Much more here.
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