CONCLUSION

AT 0125 ON 13 JUNE, V Corps received instructions from First Army, immediately communicated to subordinate units, which had the effect of marking the end of the Omaha beachhead operation (Map No. XVI). For the time being V Corps was to hold in its present positions, employing aggressive action by strong patrols to keep the enemy uncertain of our intentions. The First Army's offensive effort was concentrated on the right flank, where VII Corps continued its drive toward Cherbourg. XIX Corps was to become operational at noon, 14 June; consisting of the 30th and 29th Divisions, its missions was to secure and enlarge the CarentanIsigny corridor. First Army's instructions were confirmed by V Corps Field Order No. 5, published at 2100 on 13 June. The operations already under way on 13 June, in the Caumont and Hill 192 sectors, had been allowed to proceed during the day; the effect of Field Order No. 5 was to stop the effort toward Hill 192 at the positions reached that evening.

Starting from the smallest of footholds on D Day, V Corps had in one week driven inland 15 to 20 miles on a broad front. Junction had been firmly established with Allied forces on both flanks. The crisis of the whole operation had come at the very start, when unexpected enemy strength was met at the beach and the American troops had been called on for their utmost effort. Thereafter, the task of V Corps became progressively easier; the German 352d Division was pushed south at increasing speed and given no time to organize a defense. V Corps' advance had halted by decision of the higher command in view of overall tactical considerations. Its mission of capturing an adequate beachhead had been achieved.

In the course of a week's fighting casualties had mounted to 5,846 of which 1,225 were killed in action; more than half of these casualties came in the first day. Heaviest losses had fallen to the 29th Division, with 2,440 for the period; the 1st Division had 1,744 casualties, and the 2d Division 855. Enemy prisoners amounted to about 2,500, and casualties of the 352d Division had reduced that offensive unit to a shadow of its former strength.

Weeks of hard fighting were ahead, but the foundation for the final success of the Allied campaign in France had been firmly set. Scene of one of the hardest assault landings in military history, Omaha Beach was now part of a solid base for offensive operations which three months later reached the borders of Germany.


page updated 1 October 2002


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