The 2nd Infantry Division began offloading across Omaha Beach on the evening of 7 June, and by 9 June assumed responsibility for a 5,000-yard front.
Its initial objective was the town of Trevieres, which it secured early on 10 June after difficult fighting.
The division’s next objective was the Foret de Cerisy, occupying high ground six miles south of the beaches and dominating the beachhead with its observation and fields of fire.
The forest also provided concealment for potential German counterattacks.
The division’s attack progressed quickly past and through the forest, until it encountered stiff residual resistance at the crossroads of Haute Littee.
This too fell within a day, and the following day the division went on to force a crossing of the Elle River.
In five days of fighting the 2nd Infantry Division had pushed the Germans off of arguably the most defensible terrain facing the eastern half of the Omaha beachhead, and had deprived them of an opportunity for placing observed fire on the beaches.
The website www.backtonormandy.org has evolved. It has grown, expanded, and broadened its horizons. What once focused solely on the historic events of Normandy now reaches far beyond that — embracing a larger, more inclusive story of World War II history across Europe.
As I move forward, II invite you to explore my new home: www.ww2history.eu.
The history I share is not confined to a single place or a single moment in time. It’s the story of nations, of sacrifice, of courage, and of resilience. It’s a history that spans the entire continent of Europe, where every country played its part in shaping the world we live in today. The lives of millions were touched, forever changed, by the events of World War II.
By migrating to www.ww2history.eu, I can now present a more complete, more comprehensive view of this pivotal period in our collective past. From the beaches of Normandy to the streets of Stalingrad, from the forests of Ardennes to the skies over London — the story of Europe during the Second World War is vast and interconnected, and it deserves to be remembered in its entirety.
I am committed to preserve these stories — of the brave men and women who fought, suffered, and died, of the ordinary people who lived through extraordinary times, and of the lessons we must never forget.
So, I invite you to visit www.ww2history.eu. Discover new stories, new perspectives, and the shared history that binds us all together. Join me in honoring the past as we shape the future. This is not just history — this is our history, and it’s waiting for you to explore.
Your webmaster Fred Vogels - www.fredvogels.com