Omaha Beach D Day Invasion

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pete-student-of-history
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Omaha Beach D Day Invasion

#1

Post by pete-student-of-history » 25 May 2014, 00:22

There are some things that don't make sense to me regarding the Omaha Beach invasion on D Day and I hope for clarity.

It was important for the amphibious Sherman tanks to get ashore on Omaha. I think they called them DD tanks. They took a regular Sherman and made it amphibious. While they worked, they were not particularly sea worthy. They needed them to roll break through the barded wire as well out to take out the pill boxes.

The were put in the ocean three miles out and I don't think any of them made it.

Why were they put in the water so far from shore in such rough water? That must have cost many American lives.

Next, there were other boats that were dropped in the water 12 miles out. Why did they put them in water so far out? Would it have been better to put them in closer to shore?

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sunbury2
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Re: Omaha Beach D Day Invasion

#2

Post by sunbury2 » 25 May 2014, 06:48

The Forum has an excellent search function Peter, I would suggest you use it. It will show many threads on this very subject.
Welcome to the Forum :)


pete-student-of-history
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Re: Omaha Beach D Day Invasion

#3

Post by pete-student-of-history » 25 May 2014, 17:52

Thanks, Teh advanced search especially works well.

steverodgers801
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Re: Omaha Beach D Day Invasion

#4

Post by steverodgers801 » 28 May 2014, 14:47

I believe it was mistakes by the transport carrying them to launch them so soon

RichTO90
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Re: Omaha Beach D Day Invasion

#5

Post by RichTO90 » 28 May 2014, 15:31

steverodgers801 wrote:I believe it was mistakes by the transport carrying them to launch them so soon
Actually, no, the transports anchored and launched from the proper areas and the LCT transporting the DD tanks launched at the distance specified in the landing plan.

Cheers!

Tom from Cornwall
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Re: Omaha Beach D Day Invasion

#6

Post by Tom from Cornwall » 28 May 2014, 21:55

In addition, the LCAs of Assault Group O-4 were launched ten minutes early on account of the weather.

It should be noted that, in hindsight, it was considered that the LCAs should have had some of their load reduced to compensate for the weather. A tough call though - it would have needed a rather difficult last minute discussion between landing craft officers and Ranger officers. "Who or what can you do without?"

Regards

Tom

PF
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Re: Omaha Beach D Day Invasion

#7

Post by PF » 05 Jun 2014, 21:52

Postscript
related link on tanks http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=3403

Mil-tech Bard
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Re: Omaha Beach D Day Invasion

#8

Post by Mil-tech Bard » 10 Jun 2014, 19:21

If you are interested in DD-tank minutia, the following link is where you want to go:

http://the.shadock.free.fr/sherman_minu ... drive.html

The turretless DD-tank/APC the British intended to use for the Invasion of Japan was a complete surprise.

PF
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Re: Omaha Beach D Day Invasion

#9

Post by PF » 27 Dec 2014, 00:53

Pictures of GI bebing rescued 6-6/1944
See picture at Bottom
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/even ... /nor4a.htm

Note this was taken at Dog White Beach-see entry for LCT 29
http://ww2lct.org/history/stories/flot_18_at_omaha.htm

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