On July 24-25, American forces launched Operation COBRA, aimed at breaking through the German lines near St.Lo. The Second World War begins as Britain and France declare war on Germany following Germanys invasion of Poland. Operation GOODWOOD, carried out by British forces on July 18 resulted in the loss of more than 400 tanks. Though the Allies had secured two major cities, progress in July was slow. In the east, British forces secured Caen on July 9. In mid-June, American forces pushed west, isolating Cherbourg from German reinforcements. The well-defended, and vital port city did not fall to Allied forces until June 27. This difficult situation slowed down progress in Normandy for the invading armies. This difficult terrain forced Allied troops to reevaluate tactics and come up with creative solutions for clearing the Bocage of German forces. German forces used the hedgerows defensively, creating deadly killing fields which Allied troops had to cross. Omaha beach was flanked by steep cliffs and was heavily defended, making it a perilous and devastating battle scene. troops were dead, wounded, or missing once the battle ended. Combined with the narrow, winding roads which passed between farms, this area known as the “Bocage” created a nightmare situation for Allied forces. troops suffered massive casualties at Omaha beach, it is named the bloodiest beach on D-Day. Instead of wooden fences, Norman farms are enclosed by century-old hedgerows, man-made earth walls, deeply rooted with plants. For all of the preparations made for OVERLORD, the Allied forces were ill-equipped for fighting in the hedgerows they quickly encountered in Normandy. Despite challenges and sometimes fierce enemy opposition, Allied forces persisted in establishing a beachhead in Normandy.Īllied planners envisioned a quick push into Normandy after establishing a beachhead. To the west, the landings went more to plan for British and Canadian forces. American airborne forces of the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions were scattered behind Utah, sometimes tens of miles off target. The landing force bound for Utah was blown off course, resulting in troops going ashore nearly a mile down the beach. At Omaha beach, the resistance was devastating for the early waves of troops. Things went badly from the beginning for American forces landing at Omaha and Utah. A short naval and aerial bombardment preceded the landings, which began at around 6:30 am. Paratroops began landing after midnight as the massive invasion force took station off the coast. With a small window of opportunity in the weather, Eisenhower made the decision to go-D-Day would be June 6, 1944. The decision was made to delay 24 hours, requiring part of the naval force bound for Utah beach to return to port.

However, on June 4, as paratroopers prepared to board the C-47 Skytrains which would carry them behind enemy lines, weather conditions deteriorated. After numerous delays and major planning changes, D-Day was set for June 5.

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