Utah Beach 6–8 June 1944

The positions gained by the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions after their initial drop early on 6 June were important in enabling the forces from the beach landing to progress inland. Resistance at the beaches themselves was minimal, however the dense bocage terrain made navigation and location of enemy and friendly troops difficult. The 82nd had managed to establish themselves at Ste-Mère-Église but were separated from the infantry moving inland by a pocket of German forces around Turqueville. The right flank of the infantry on Utah progressed north up the coast to engage the remaining beach defences whilst sustaining fire from the fortifications near St Marcouf. One of the main objectives in the area was the town of Carentan through which contact with the forces from Omaha beach could be made; however, progress towards the southeast was proving to be difficult due to swampy terrain and German resistance in the area.