D-Day: Gold Beach

Gold Beach was three miles of low, flat beach that rose into higher ground at either end. The Germans had prepared the entire stretch of beach with barbed wire and anti-tank hedgehogs, along with bunkers and casemates manned by machine …

1944-06-06

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Gold Beach was three miles of low, flat beach that rose into higher ground at either end. The Germans had prepared the entire stretch of beach with barbed wire and anti-tank hedgehogs, along with bunkers and casemates manned by machine gun teams and supported by artillery batteries. At 5.10 the Allied fleet opened fire on the coastal positions and two hours later RAF bombers also attacked. At 7.25 the 50th British Infantry Division began their landing with initial success. However, the German defenses were still intact despite the bombing, stalling any major progress until more reinforcements arrived. As Hobart's Funnies began to land, breakthroughs were finally achieved in some areas but they still had to fight through tough German strong points. After being repulsed on June 6, the British liberated Bayeux the next day. However, they soon ran into the newly arrived Panzer-Lehr Division near Tilly-sur-suelles and their advance inland was stopped. On June 8 the 47th Royal Marine Commandos finally linked up with the American 29th Infantry Division to the west, consolidating the Allied bridgehead.

Gold Beach, France

Gold, commonly known as Gold Beach, was the code name for one of the five areas of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on 6 June 1944, during the Second World War. Gold, the central of the five areas, was located between Port-en-Bessin on the west and La Rivière on the east. High cliffs at the western end of the zone meant that the landings took place on the flat section between Le Hamel and La Rivière, in the sectors code-named Jig and King. Taking Gold was to be the responsibility of the British Army, with sea transport, mine sweeping, and a naval bombardment force provided by the Royal Navy as well as elements from the Dutch, Polish and other Allied navies.

Wikipedia: Gold Beach

German

British

Game Type: Breakthrough

Board Type: Beach

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