D Day, 6 June 1944, U.S. Army Divisions and Regiments Patches, Crest, Medals and Badges information is available in our books at moapress.com/. Medals of America: To purchase replacement medals, ribbons, shadow boxes and more, visit www.medalsofamerica.com/
On June 6, 1944, known as D-Day, American forces landed on two primary beaches in Normandy, France: Utah Beach and Omaha Beach. Here are the American army corps and the combat units that were involved in these landings:
Utah BeachVII Corps
4th Infantry Division
8th Infantry Regiment
12th Infantry Regiment
22nd Infantry Regiment
90th Infantry Division (landed later in the day)
359th Infantry Regiment
357th Infantry Regiment
358th Infantry Regiment
82nd Airborne Division (parachuted inland)
505th Parachute Infantry Regiment
507th Parachute Infantry Regiment
508th Parachute Infantry Regiment
325th Glider Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne Division (parachuted inland)
501st Parachute Infantry Regiment
502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment
506th Parachute Infantry Regiment
327th Glider Infantry Regiment
70th Tank Battalion (attached to 4th Infantry Division)
Omaha BeachV Corps
1st Infantry Division
16th Infantry Regiment
18th Infantry Regiment
26th Infantry Regiment
29th Infantry Division
115th Infantry Regiment
116th Infantry Regiment
175th Infantry Regiment
2nd Ranger Battalion
Companies C, D, and E
5th Ranger Battalion
741st Tank Battalion (attached to 1st Infantry Division)
743rd Tank Battalion (attached to 29th Infantry Division)
Airborne Divisions (supporting the landings)
82nd Airborne Division (dropped behind Utah Beach)
505th Parachute Infantry Regiment
507th Parachute Infantry Regiment
508th Parachute Infantry Regiment
101st Airborne Division (dropped behind Utah Beach)
501st Parachute Infantry Regiment
502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment
506th Parachute Infantry Regiment
These units played critical roles in securing the beachheads and advancing inland to begin the liberation of Nazi-occupied France.
Utah Beach
Utah Beach Landing Overview:
Primary Objective: Secure the beachhead and link up with airborne forces.
Landing Time: H-Hour was at 06:30.
Main Units Involved: 4th Infantry Division, supported by airborne units from the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions.
Landing Details:
The beach defenses were relatively weak compared to Omaha Beach. The landing forces encountered less intense opposition due to effective pre-landing bombardment and the unexpected landing site.
The 4th Infantry Division quickly secured the beach and began moving inland. By the end of the day, they had linked up with elements of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, who had parachuted behind enemy lines to secure key positions and cause disruption.
Airborne Operations:
82nd Airborne Division: Parachuted into the area west of Utah Beach, securing the towns of Sainte-Mère-Église and key bridges over the Merderet River.
101st Airborne Division: Dropped to the south of Utah Beach to secure causeways and exits off the beach, ensuring a smooth movement of troops inland.
Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach Landing Overview:
Primary Objective: Secure the beachhead and advance inland to link up with the British landing forces from Gold Beach to the east.
Landing Time: was at 06:30.
Main Units : 1st Infantry Division ("The Big Red One") and 29th Infantry Division, supported by Ranger battalions.
Landing Details:
Initial Landing: The landing on Omaha Beach faced significant challenges. The beach was heavily fortified with bunkers, artillery, machine guns, and obstacles. The pre-landing bombardment was less effective, leaving many German defenses intact.
The initial waves suffered heavy casualties, with many soldiers killed or wounded as they disembarked from their landing craft. The rough seas compounded the problem, causing delays and disorganization.
Struggle to Advance: Despite the chaos and heavy resistance, small groups of infantry managed to find gaps in the German defenses and advanced inland. Key points, such as the Vierville, Saint-Laurent, and Colleville exits, were eventually captured, allowing reinforcements to move inland.
The 2nd and 5th Ranger Battalions were tasked with scaling the cliffs at Pointe du Hoc to neutralize heavy guns that could threaten the landing. Despite heavy resistance and difficulties, they successfully completed their mission.
Utah Beach: The landing was considered highly successful with fewer casualties and swift progress inland. By nightfall, the 4th Infantry Division had secured its objectives and established a firm beachhead.
Omaha Beach: The landings were initially chaotic and bloody, but through perseverance and heroism, the beach was eventually secured. By the end of the day, American forces had established a precarious foothold and began pushing inland, linking up with British forces from Gold Beach in the following days.
The successful landings on Utah and Omaha Beaches marked the beginning of the end of Nazi occupation in Western Europe.
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