| Commemorating the Sixtieth Anniversary of D-Day, June 1944 with this print by James Dietz. "High Ground At Easy Red" |
Omaha beach is four miles long and bordered on each end by two cliffs
over 100 feet high. At low tide, wide, hard-packed tidal flats lead upwards
from the beach towards commanding bluffs. It was at these bluffs that the
men of the US 1st Army would consolidate prior to moving inland into
France. But first, the beaches had to be traversed.
This scene, commemorating the 60th Anniversary of D-Day, depicts the
743rd Tank Battalion leaving the beaches the evening of June 6th. Their
ordeal began over 12 hours earlier. At H-50, the 741st Tank Battalion,
scheduled to land in the 16th Infantry’s sector suffered a terrible disaster. Of
the thirty-two Sherman tanks that debarked 6,000 yards off the eastern half
of Omaha beach only six tanks made it to shore. The remainder sank to the
bottom of the English Channel due to heavy seas. Someone in the 741st
used a tank radio to contact the 743rd Tank Battalion to inform them of their
fate, saving the lives and tanks of the 743rd and allowing them to get to
shore to protect the infantry. The 743rd Tank Battalion was able to
successfully land most of their Sherman’s in the initial wave on Omaha’s
western beaches. They provided invaluable support to both the 116th
Infantry and the 16th Infantry on the eastern beaches.
The 743rd Tank Battalion left Omaha Beach through both the D-3 exit road
and E-1 exit road at St. Laurent-sur-Mer. As one soldier observed, “Standing
out there on the water beyond all this wreckage was the greatest armada
man has ever seen. You simply could not believe the gigantic collection of
ships that lay out there waiting to unload. Looking from the bluff, it lay thick
and clear to the far horizon of the sea and on beyond, and it spread out to
the sides and was miles wide. Its utter enormity would move the hardest
man”.
The landings at Omaha Beach had incurred significant casualties and in
fact, the enemy defenses were stronger than expected. Very little progress
had been made in the push to the interior and this caused significant
backups on the beach. Of the 2,400 tons that were planned to arrive on the
beach on D-Day, only 100 tons were delivered. Operations on the 7th and
8th of June would be spent deepening the bridgehead. As the Tankers
entered combat to expand the beachhead, few would forecast the
hardships that lay ahead in the Norman hedgerows of the Bocage.
Though thousands of Americans were spilled onto Omaha beach, the high
ground was won by a handful of men who on that day burned with a flame
bright beyond common understanding.
For its action on June 6th, the 743rd Tank Battalion, commanded by
Colonel John Upham, was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation, French
Croix de Guerre and a Bronze Arrowhead in recognition of their
participation in the Assault Landing.
Illustration by James Dietz - Copyright © 2005.
All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this website may be reproduced
or utilized in any form without the written consent of American Art & Antiques,
Inc.
over 100 feet high. At low tide, wide, hard-packed tidal flats lead upwards
from the beach towards commanding bluffs. It was at these bluffs that the
men of the US 1st Army would consolidate prior to moving inland into
France. But first, the beaches had to be traversed.
This scene, commemorating the 60th Anniversary of D-Day, depicts the
743rd Tank Battalion leaving the beaches the evening of June 6th. Their
ordeal began over 12 hours earlier. At H-50, the 741st Tank Battalion,
scheduled to land in the 16th Infantry’s sector suffered a terrible disaster. Of
the thirty-two Sherman tanks that debarked 6,000 yards off the eastern half
of Omaha beach only six tanks made it to shore. The remainder sank to the
bottom of the English Channel due to heavy seas. Someone in the 741st
used a tank radio to contact the 743rd Tank Battalion to inform them of their
fate, saving the lives and tanks of the 743rd and allowing them to get to
shore to protect the infantry. The 743rd Tank Battalion was able to
successfully land most of their Sherman’s in the initial wave on Omaha’s
western beaches. They provided invaluable support to both the 116th
Infantry and the 16th Infantry on the eastern beaches.
The 743rd Tank Battalion left Omaha Beach through both the D-3 exit road
and E-1 exit road at St. Laurent-sur-Mer. As one soldier observed, “Standing
out there on the water beyond all this wreckage was the greatest armada
man has ever seen. You simply could not believe the gigantic collection of
ships that lay out there waiting to unload. Looking from the bluff, it lay thick
and clear to the far horizon of the sea and on beyond, and it spread out to
the sides and was miles wide. Its utter enormity would move the hardest
man”.
The landings at Omaha Beach had incurred significant casualties and in
fact, the enemy defenses were stronger than expected. Very little progress
had been made in the push to the interior and this caused significant
backups on the beach. Of the 2,400 tons that were planned to arrive on the
beach on D-Day, only 100 tons were delivered. Operations on the 7th and
8th of June would be spent deepening the bridgehead. As the Tankers
entered combat to expand the beachhead, few would forecast the
hardships that lay ahead in the Norman hedgerows of the Bocage.
Though thousands of Americans were spilled onto Omaha beach, the high
ground was won by a handful of men who on that day burned with a flame
bright beyond common understanding.
For its action on June 6th, the 743rd Tank Battalion, commanded by
Colonel John Upham, was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation, French
Croix de Guerre and a Bronze Arrowhead in recognition of their
participation in the Assault Landing.
Illustration by James Dietz - Copyright © 2005.
All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this website may be reproduced
or utilized in any form without the written consent of American Art & Antiques,
Inc.
Here at Ozark Airfield Artworks we offer a large selection art prints. These prints mainly
depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We also deal
with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are from all the top
national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of our prints are
signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking for a specific
plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
depict modern and historic aviation along with military, civil and space flight. We also deal
with naval subjects and military armor and infantry works. These prints are from all the top
national and international artists along with some local artists. Many of our prints are
signed by the artist and by famous pilots and veterans. If you are looking for a specific
plane, pilot, artist or subject please contact us.
Copyright © Ozark Airfield Artworks 2005 All Rights Reserved
All sales are subject to availability.
All sales are subject to availability.
All images are copyrighted by the individual artist and may not be reproduced
without their consent.
without their consent.
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