1st Infantry Division, 16th Infantry Regiment, B Company - Account, Company historian( po červen 1944 - současnost )

1st Infantry Division, 16th Infantry Regiment, B Company

Account, Company historian

D-day on Omaha Beach

Boats were lowered from the APA at 0555 hours 6 June. The landing craft put the company ashore on Easy Red at 9755 amidst heavy artillery and small arms fire. Practically all the proceeding waves were still pinned down on the beach. Company Headquarters LCVP recived two direct hits, probably 47mm, and it began sinking just as its personnel la,ded. The company moved up to the wire and section leaders did an excellent job of hasty reorganisation. Five breaches in the wire having been made by company A were used to clear the beach. The first and third assault sections made very good use of their smoke frenade at the wiere barrier and in the field beyond, as both were being swept by enemy fire. The company could not contact battalion with the SCR 300 radio set as it had been lost when the operator was wounded. The minefield in fron,t of the wire and one FPL (?) on the far side of the minfield took their toll of casulaties as the company moved off the beach. The fifth and third sections tried to advance over the first high ground and were pinned down by enemy machine gun, sniper fire in the second minefield, reached the top of the ridge 400 yards to the left of Exit E-1. Battalion CP was located and the company was ordered to take up positions to the right of company C. The company then moved about 1-1/2 miles inland and reached a point just to the right of Colleville where it was held up by and enemy strong point and was forcered to spend the night in the spot. Enemy activity was encountered throught the night and small enemy groups tried to penetrate the positions. The enemy strong point was neutralized about 1030 D+1 and the 18th Infantry moved up on the right flank. The company then moved forward about 600 yards and took up positions on the high ground overlooking Surrain to the south. Here they spent the second night and part of the third day. Second section patrols located a German bicycle battalion bivouac area deserted except for one sniper who was eliminated.

• I. prapor (?? - ??)

[autor nezadán]: 1st Infantry Division, 16th Infantry Regiment, B Company - Account, Company historian po červen 1944 - současnost