Introduction
Utah Beach, located on the north and west edge of the Invasion Beaches, was added to the invasion plan towards the end of the planning stages when more landing craft became available. Despite being substantially off-course, the U.S. 4th Infantry Division landed with relatively little resistance, in complete contrast to Omaha Beach where the fighting was fierce.
A practice run for the Utah Beach landing, known as Exercise Tiger, took place on April 28th 1944 off Slapton Sands, Devon, on the south coast of England. This training exercise resulted in 749 American servicemen perishing and nearly 300 being wounded after poorly executed naval escort permitted an attack by German E-boats on the landing force. The actual invasion at Utah resulted in 207 casualties, only 14 of whom were killed on the Beach.
Utah Beach where circumstances were highly favourable to attack was arguably the smoothest beach landing. By the end of D-Day, some 23,250 troops had safely landed on the beach, along with 1,700 vehicles.
What can be seen today?
The Utah Beach commemorative site covers only a small area with concentrations of monuments, gun emplacements, a former fisherman’s cottage-turned-café and a museum. We walk through the sandy draw which embarked thousands of vehicles to survey the beach with a useful view towards Pointe du Hoc to the east and the Îles Saint-Marcouf to the west. Utah Beach even today retains an entirely different "feel" from its violent counterpart, Omaha.
La Madeleine Chapel, Utah Beach
Situated less than a kilometre from Utah Beach, this small, intimate Romanesque chapel suffered significant damage during the Invasion. Here many American soldiers gave thanks for their safe arrival.
Private Transfer from London by Air
Short on time or prefer to fly?
D-Day Airtours will take you on an insightful one-day tour by air of the landing beaches and other D-Day sites. Pick up from Central London (or other areas by arrangement) in the morning, flying to Carpiquet airport, Caen from Oxford, and return by mid-evening of the same day.
Alternatively, for an even shorter visit, take a flying tour over the area with guided commentary.
Either way your tour is delivered by a professional English guide experienced and knowledgeable in the D-Day landings.
Whether you are from America, Canada or Britain you will be provided with detailed information about your country's role in the landings.
Please feel free to contact us for more detailed information - click to contact us.
