Tim Kilvert-Jones

In Omaha Beach: V Corps' Battle for the Normandy Beachhead we have a history/travel guide with the bulk of the text devoted to the history. Although a physically thin book it is not a light history. The memorial parts do justice to those who fought and died on the Allied side on this section of the French Norman coast. This is not great literature but is successful within its self imposed limits. We get a clear picture of the chaos, horror, and the chanciness along with the boldness and show more bravery of the whole enterprise that helped lead to the defeat of Hitler's Germany.

Quotes: (page 61,'Briefing Intelligence Summary') “Defense activity has quickened since Feb on the occupied coasts, following a tour of inspection by ROMMEL, who is anti-invasion Army Group Commander. The principal new features are under-water obstacles, the provision of overhead cover for field and medium artillery, an intensification of mine laying, and a tendency to dig field defenses on commanding ground 2,000-4,000 yards inland.”

(page 85, Staff Sergeant Ray Lambert) “...We were under intense fire from machine guns, rifles, mortars and artillery all from both flanks as well as dead ahead. Our heavy gun support from the battleships was halted because they could not tell how far our troops had advanced. We could hear the machine gun shells hitting the ramp and sides of our boat. We (I) knew when we lowered the ramp we would walk into a death trap, but there was no other way. Those support Navy vessels that could fire sent shells so close over our heads that we could hear the shells pass and I am sure I felt the wind from a few. We continued to get enemy fire from 105's,88's, 40mm mortars and machine guns. The enemy had mined the area and those mines were exploding. It was indescribable. I said to Cpl. Herbert Meyer, 'If there is hell this has to be it'. I was so sick that I didn't care if I died. I just wanted to get off the damn boat. There were so many dead and wounded in the water that our boat was going over them. The DD tanks were going right to the bottom as they drove off the ramp from our craft. Many of the tank crews went down with the tank. Some crew members did get out and were floating in the water.
As we neared the beach I saw the obstacles and wondered how many of us would ever reach the beach...”

(page 133) :Initially Cota [Brigadier General] identified a suitable location behind some cover for a BAR man to set up his gun and engage German positions on the bluffs above. Under covering of fire another brave 'Twentyniner' then went forward under Cota's orders to the barbed wire obstacle and then blew a gap using a bangalore torpedo (a long tube packed with explosive designed to blow apart and cut through wire obstacles). The first man through was cut down by German fire crying 'mama' before dying where he fell. Cota realized that unless he did something no one would go through the wire. He rushed for the gap and went through the wire and across the road. Fortunately he made it and shouted to his men to follow him. They rushed for the gap. Remarkably no one was hit and he found himself directing this motley group through the 100yards of tall grass and reeds beyond the road to the base of the bluffs. An empty German communications trench provided additional cover as they moved slowly forward. Once out of the trench they were in a minefield and several men were severely wounded by anti-personal mines.”

(page 161) “ It is ironic that Bradley was considering a withdrawal from Omaha and Eisenhower was trying to get a bomber force to attack the beach area at the very time the the tide was turning for the 'thin wet line of khaki that dragged itself ashore'. In reality, the generals off the beach were wholly out of control of events ashore. It fell to the Assistant Divisional Commanders – Cota and Wyman – to provide real tactical command and leadership. The actual conduct of the battle itself then fell to the individual soldiers of all ranks who were prepared to take the fight to the enemy. Many sacrificed themselves in doing so. Others relieved their shock and horror of events on the beach upon the enemy.”

(page 175) “A visit to Normandy will invariably bring out other human factors that decide battlefield success or failure. Consider the importance of decision-making under stress. Ponder on the leadership, organizational skills, principles of war, and the many countless battlefield variables that determine the outcome of this mighty endeavor. Without the leadership of two brigadier generals and a handful of relatively junior officers and soldiers, or the courageous intervention of the American destroyer squadron on the morning of D-Day, the story of Omaha Beach would be as tragic as the history of the Dieppe Raid in 1942.” show less