The story
The 29th Infantry Division continued its attack, breaking through the crust of enemy coastal defenses to relieve the embattled Rangers clinging on to Pointe du Hoc.
After further tough fighting it captured the village of Isigny and forced the Vire River; corps engineers built a bridge behind it.
It linked up with the 101st Airborne Division near Carentan on 10 June, and by 12 June Omaha Beach and Utah Beach united into a continuous front behind which the buildup of troops and supplies could continue.
The 2nd Infantry Division soon came ashore and joined the attack on the division’s left flank, and further reinforcements continued to flow.
The attack pressed forward into difficult Norman bocage.
Here troops encountered fields separated by hedgerows that divided the terrain into small compartments.
Ground had to be seized a field at a time, and the defenders enjoyed numerous tactical advantages.
The division nevertheless pressed the attack, forcing the Elle River and seizing the town of Couvains.
There's more to discover
You have arrived at just one small part of Back to Normandy — a personal project dedicated to preserving stories, images, music and memories of the Second World War.
Every record is a doorway to a larger story. Explore Back to Normandy to discover more, or visit Fred Vogels' personal website to learn about the person and the projects behind it.