Omaha Beach, 29th Infantry Division, 115th RCT

Allied Forces

• 115^th Regimental Combat Team
  • 1^st Battalion, 115^th Infantry Regiment
  • 2^nd Battalion, 115^th Infantry Regiment
  • 3^rd Battalion, 115^th Infantry Regiment

Axis Forces

June 6th, 1944

Shortly after the 18^th Regimental Combat Team, 1^st Infantry Division, arrives, the 115^th Regimental Combat Team, 29^th Infantry Divisionbegins landing directly over them. The 115^th Regimental Combat Team, held as reserve by Force “O”, was scheduled to land between 10:30 and 11:30 on Dog Red and Easy Green beaches. Unable to locate their control vessel, they land too far east, directly onto Easy Red. This confusion delays both regiments. Consequently, the 3^rd and 1^st Battalions of the 18^th Regimental Combat Team do not land until approximately 13:00. Meanwhile, all battalions of the 115^th Regimental Combat Team land simultaneously, causing further unit scrambling on the beach.

By 14:00, the 2^nd Battalion of the 18^th Regimental Combat Team moves inland. Remaining elements of the 18^th Regimental Combat Team and the 115^th Regimental Combat Team follow later. Reorganisation and inland movement are hampered by continuous enemy fire and extensive minefields. Fortunately, German mortar fire remains largely ineffective, and artillery fire from inland primarily targets landing craft, causing few troop casualties.

Due to minefields and enemy emplacements blocking direct routes inland through the draw, units move around its sides. The, battalions of the 115^th Regimental Combat Team head towards assembly areas southeast of Saint-Laurent for reorganisation. Colonel Eugene N. Slappey receives orders from General Wyman to proceed to Longueville. However, after discussions with General Norman Cota, it is decided one battalion will clear Saint-Laurent. Due to malfunctioning radios, Colonel Slappey departs around 16:00 without contact with his battalions.

Throughout the morning, V Corps Headquarters aboard U.S.S. Ancon struggles to gain clear information about the situation onshore. Reports received describe heavy enemy fire, numerous craft lost, and stalled troops. Early infiltrations inland by small groups go largely unnoticed. At 09:45, V Corps reports slow progress to First Army. Only by 13:09 can Corps Headquarters confirm that troops are finally advancing inland behind Easy Red, Easy Green, and Fox Red beaches.

Naval observation and communication from ships to shore remain limited and unreliable. Shortly after midday, a naval fire-support officer requests permission to use rocket barrages to break the perceived stalemate. His request is denied due to concerns about endangering troops possibly already advancing inland unseen.

Saint-Laurent, 6th, 1944

It takes three to four hours for the units to clear the beach, advancing mainly to the east of the draw.

Intermingling with troops from the 18^th Regimental Combat Team causes disorganisation as battalions attempt to reach their assembly areas, roughly 900 metres inland and southwest of Saint-Laurent. With no transport scheduled to arrive on D-Day, the troops carry heavy loads. The burden falls especially hard on the heavy weapons sections, which move with mortars, machine guns, and extra ammunition carried by hand.

Scattered sniper fire and bursts from occasional machine guns delay movement inland. The 2^nd Battalion reaches the village and encounters enemy resistance. Throughout the afternoon, it fights to clear Saint-Laurent of a small but determined German force, estimated at company strength. The difficult terrain, full of natural cover, makes it hard for the inexperienced troops to pinpoint enemy firing positions.

As dusk approaches, the 2^nd Battalion finally begins a coordinated assault. Suddenly, naval gunfire lands in the village. The shells cause several casualties among the American troops and halt the advance. The battalion pulls back south of the village for the night, where it links up with the 1^st Battalion. This unit has pushed as far as the Formigny road, several hundred metres south of Saint-Laurent, advancing slowly against sniper fire and mortar bursts.

The 3^rd Battalion of the 115^th Regimental Combat Team fails to reach the Saint-Laurent–Colleville road by nightfall. Despite only scattered German pockets of resistance, American progress remains slow. A combination of poor communications, loss of control, and lack of artillery or armoured support severely limits the attackers’ effectiveness.

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