Visiting Omaha Beach – History of the D-Day Landings and Key Sites
Omaha Beach was one of the five designated landing areas of the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6th June 1944. Stretching for around 8 kilometres between Vierville-sur-Mer on the western flank and Colleville-sur-Mer to the east, it was one of the most heavily defended of the D-Day beaches.
The beach was assigned to the American 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions, supported by the 2nd and 5th Ranger Battalions. Facing them were well-prepared German forces of the 352nd Infantry Division, who had fortified the cliffs, dunes, and villages with strongpoints, machine-gun nests, and artillery emplacements.
The assault on Omaha Beach was one of the bloodiest of D-Day, with high casualties in the opening hours as American forces struggled to establish a foothold. Despite these losses, by the end of the day the beach was secured, and the Allies had begun their advance inland.
Today Omaha Beach remains one of the most poignant places to visit in Normandy, combining its wartime history with striking memorials, museums, and the vast Normandy American Cemetery overlooking the shoreline.
The D-Day Landings at Omaha Beach
Omaha Beach was the largest of the five Allied landing areas on 6th June 1944, stretching for approximately 8 kilometres. Its capture was vital to link the American landings at Utah Beach with the British at Gold Beach, creating a continuous front along the Normandy coastline.
The assault was carried out by the American 1st Infantry Division, known as “The Big Red One,” and the 29th Infantry Division, supported by the 2nd and 5th Ranger Battalions. They faced the German 352nd Infantry Division, whose troops were positioned in fortified strongpoints along the bluffs and villages overlooking the sand. The defences formed part of the Atlantic Wall and included concrete bunkers, artillery, machine-gun nests, and obstacles on the beach itself.
When the first waves of landing craft hit the beach around 06:30, they were met with devastating fire. Many units suffered heavy casualties before even reaching the sand, and some sectors of the beach became scenes of chaos, with men pinned down and equipment destroyed. Despite this, small groups of soldiers managed to find gaps in the defences, scaling the bluffs and knocking out German positions.
By the end of the day, after intense fighting, American forces had established a precarious foothold. Although the cost in lives was high, the success at Omaha was critical to the overall success of Operation Overlord.
Key Sectors of Omaha Beach
For the landings on 6th June 1944, Omaha Beach was divided into sectors running from west to east. Each sector was given a code name, with sub-sectors marked by colours. These divisions helped coordinate the landings.
Charlie Sector – Located at the far western end near Vierville-sur-Mer. Strong currents and heavy defences made this one of the most difficult landing zones.
Dog Sector – Split into Green, White, and Red sub-sectors, Dog covered the area directly in front of Vierville-sur-Mer. The 29th Infantry Division and 2nd Ranger Battalion faced some of the heaviest resistance here, especially at Dog Green.
Easy Sector – Divided into Green and Red, this sector lay opposite Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer. Elements of the 1st Infantry Division landed here, encountering strongpoints on the bluffs overlooking the beach.
Fox Sector – At the eastern end near Colleville-sur-Mer, Fox Green and Fox Red were the landing zones for other units of the 1st Infantry Division. Progress was slow and costly, but by the end of the day a foothold was secured.
Omaha Beach Today
Today, Omaha Beach is a quiet stretch of coastline, bordered by the villages of Vierville-sur-Mer, Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, and Colleville-sur-Mer. While much of the wartime landscape has changed, traces of bunkers and beach defences remain, alongside museums, monuments, and the vast Normandy American Cemetery overlooking the shore. Together, these sites make Omaha one of the most moving places to visit in Normandy.
WN60 (Widerstandsneste 60)
WN60 was the most eastern fortification at Omaha Beach and had a view over the whole landing area. Many of the fortifications and trench systems are still present today
Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial
The Normandy American Cemetery covers 172.5 acres and is situated on the cliffs overlooking Omaha Beach east of St-Laurent-sur-Mer it is a cemetery and memorial
WN65 First American Headquarters Omaha Beach
WN65 is a concrete casemate which housed a 50mm anti-tank cannon which is still present today, it became the first American Headquarters on Omaha Beach after it
The Big Red One Assault Museum
The museum is mainly dedicated to the 1st US Infantry Division, The Big Red One who landed on Omaha beach on D-Day, located in Colleville-sur-Mer near the the American Normandy Cemetery
Overlord Museum
Covering events from the D-Day landings to the liberation of Paris. The museum has 10,000 items on display representing the 6 armies present on D-Day including a large collection of vehicles
Omaha Beach National Guard Monument
The National Guard Monument is located on Omaha Beach in Vierville-sur-Mer in Remembrance of the National Guard Units which participated in the amphibious assault on D-Day 6 - 7 June 1944
Practical Travel Tips
Visiting Omaha Beach is straightforward, but a little planning will help you make the most of your trip. The site covers a long stretch of coastline, and many of the most important places are spread between the villages of Vierville-sur-Mer, Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, and Colleville-sur-Mer.
A car is the most convenient way to visit, as public transport in this part of Normandy is limited. Driving allows you to explore not only the beach itself but also the Normandy American Cemetery, nearby museums, and smaller memorials dotted across the area. Parking is generally free and available close to most major sites.