D-Day: Utah Beach

Just before 6.00 on June 6, 1944, warships began a massive naval bombardment of the German defenses on Utah beach with devastating results. The strongpoints were badly hit and all communication lines were severed, preventing the Germans from coordinating an …

1944-06-06

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Just before 6.00 on June 6, 1944, warships began a massive naval bombardment of the German defenses on Utah beach with devastating results. The strongpoints were badly hit and all communication lines were severed, preventing the Germans from coordinating an effective defense. At about 6.40 the first wave of the US 8th Infantry Regiment hit the beaches. Strong currents had pushed them off course, however, so the landing took place over a mile south of the planned location in a less exposed area and nearly out of range of the German artillery batteries. Quickly followed by the Duplex Drive (DD) tanks of the 70th Tank Battalion, American forces pushed through demoralized German forces, past the flooded marshlands, and linked up with the American paratroopers inland. Meanwhile the 2nd Ranger Battalion were fighting their way up the cliffs of Pointe-du-Hoc to eliminate what was believed to be a dangerous artillery emplacement. Upon reaching the top, the Rangers discovered that the artillery had been moved. Fighting through the German defenders, they found and eliminated the 155mm guns before having to fend off a fierce counterattack from Grandcamp and hold on until reinforcements arrived.

Utah Beach, France

Utah, commonly known as Utah Beach, was the code name for one of the five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944 (D-Day), during World War II. The westernmost of the five code-named landing beaches in Normandy, Utah is on the Cotentin Peninsula, west of the mouths of the Douve and Vire rivers. Amphibious landings at Utah were undertaken by United States Army troops, with sea transport, mine sweeping, and a naval bombardment force provided by the United States Navy and Coast Guard as well as elements from the British, Dutch and other Allied navies.

Wikipedia: Utah Beach

German

American

Game Type: Breakthrough

Board Type: Beach

Website Access: Available