Utah Beach

Utah Beach

Closest to the Germans around Cherbourg and quite separated from the other beaches, it could have been a disaster. But Utah was rather lightly defended and had the great priviledge to be protected by the American paratroopers (who had been in the area for several hours already).

As they jumped out of their Landing Craft at La Madeleine, the first soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division were led by General Th Roosevelt Jr. Mission was accomplished rapidly to get across the flooded area behind the sand dunes, on the causeways, to reinforce the paratroopers and the German counter-attack from the north was overall under control.

On the first day, 23.000 landed here and casualties remained low under 200. Unfortunately, the following battles, on the way to Cherbourg, were very costly.