Table of Data Points

Very little went as planned during the landing at Omaha Beach. Difficulties in navigation caused the majority of landing craft to miss their targets. The defenses were unexpectedly strong, and inflicted heavy casualties on landing US troops.

Utah Beach, about 5 km long, was the westernmost of the five landing beaches, located between Pouppeville and the village of La Madeleine, which became the right flank anchor of the Allied offensive along the western bank of the Douve river estuary.

US 4th, 9th and 79th infantry divisions advance along the Cotentin peninsula and eventually take the strategically vital port. German defenders wrecked and mined the port so thoroughly that it was not used until mid August.

A series of bombing missions intended to lure the Luftwaffe into a decisive battle. By defeating the Luftwaffe, the Allies would achieve air superiority and the invasion of Europe could proceed.

General term used for the aerial resupply of weapons and supplies to resistance fighters in France, Italy and the Low Countries by the U.S. Army Air Forces.