What happened at Utah Beach?

Utah Beach was the westernmost of the five Allied landing areas on D-Day, on 6 June 1944. The US 4th Infantry Division carried out the assault and took control of the beachhead with fewer casualties than many of the other sectors.

The American landing craft did not hit the exact spot they planned. They came ashore about 1.8 km south of the intended target because strong currents pushed them off course. In a twist, that mistake put them in front of weaker German defences.

During the night before, airborne troops had already landed inland. They took key causeways. Because of that, the men on Utah Beach were able to move into the Cotentin Peninsula faster than expected.