Omaha, commonly known as
Omaha Beach, was the code name for one of the five sectors of the
Allied invasion of
German-occupied France in the
Normandy landings on June 6, 1944, during
World War II. "Omaha" refers to a section of the coast of Normandy, France, facing the
English Channel 8 kilometers (5 mi) long, from east of
Sainte-Honorine-des-Pertes to west of
Vierville-sur-Mer on the right bank of the
Douve River estuary and an estimated 150-foot (45 m) tall cliffs. Landings here were necessary to link the British landings to the east at
Gold with the American landing to the west at
Utah, thus providing a continuous
lodgement on the
Normandy coast of the
Bay of the Seine. Taking Omaha was to be the responsibility of
United States Army troops, with sea transport, mine sweeping, and
a naval bombardment force provided predominantly by the
United States Navy and
Coast Guard, with contributions from the
British,
Canadian, and
Free French navies.
