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==== Omaha Beach ====

The showdown at Omaha pitted the U.S. 1st Division against the 352nd of Germany. This beach was comparatively narrow and culminated in a steep, fortified bluff. At the base of the bluff the Americans faced a swampy sea wall and an anti-tank ditch the Germans had constructed. Adding to the natural and German-made obstacles, the Americans faced their own problems. The Navy launched the landing craft too far out in the channel; as the sea was choppy this resulted in a heavy loss of men and equipment due to capsized vessels.<ref>Lyons, 251.</ref>Further, as the previous airborne mission failed to meet its objective, the troops landing on Omaha were very vulnerable. They landed in an unorganized fashion and a tremendous number of the first wave were killed before exiting the craft. German defenders were firing unhindered from the bunkers and casements atop the bluff and the American G.I.s were out in the open. The only chance for cover was to reach the base of the bluff. Men lost their weapons during the landings and dodged behind the wooden obstacles Marshall Rommel had constructed. They were also forced to duck behind the dead bodies of their comrades. The Navy bombardment had little effect on the German guns and initially Rommel’s defense was holding; however, the German commander feared his line would become untenable.

Once the invasion began, the German command acted with confusion. They were of the belief that the weather would delay the Allied invasion for a month. Additionally, even after the landings were initiated at Normandy, Field Marshal Rundstedt still held that the primary target was Pas de Calais. Rommel was certain that this attack on Normandy was in fact the primary objective of the Allied plan. He requested that all available Panzer divisions be sent immediately to Normandy in addition to infantry being held in reserve. Rundstedt, who had convinced Hitler that Calais was the target, refused Rommel’s request without first speaking to the Führer. He called Hitler to request permission to move two Panzer divisions to Normandy. Hitler was sleeping. No member of Hitler’s staff had the nerve to wake him, which resulted in a twelve hour delay in moving the tanks.<ref>Lyons, 249-50.</ref>