Utah Beach - US 1st Army, 7th Corps


Approximately three miles wide, Utah beach was located west of the Carentan estuary and backed by low sand dunes. The landing was actually a mile east of its designated target, but fortunately the German defence was less concentrated in the landing place.


Once the assault began, the troops crossed the beach and seized control of the coast roads within three hours. By midday, they had linked with airborne troops, who had been dropped inland five hours earlier. By midnight, the assault had achieved its objective and pushed four miles inland.


Casualties on Utah beach were the lightest of all the landings. Out of 23,000 troops, only 197 men were killed or wounded.