D-Day

### Diary of a US Soldier Landing in Normandy, France on June 6, 1944

**June 6, 1944 - D-Day**

**0000 Hours:**

We have been sailing through the night, and the tension is palpable. The sea is rough, but the determination among the men is stronger. We know what's at stake today.

**0300 Hours:**

The first glimpse of the French coast. It feels surreal. We’ve been briefed extensively, but nothing could prepare us for the sight. We all check our equipment again, trying to keep our minds focused.

**0600 Hours:**

H-Hour approaches. The naval bombardment begins. The sound is deafening, but it’s a strange comfort knowing we have such firepower on our side. Our landing craft starts moving toward Omaha Beach. The chaplain says a quick prayer.

**0630 Hours:**

We hit the beach. Chaos ensues. The Germans have fortified their positions well. Machine-gun fire rakes the landing craft. I see men falling around me. We struggle through the water and sand, pushing forward despite the hail of bullets.

**0700 Hours:**

We’ve made it to the first line of cover: a small sand dune. The medics are already busy. I see more comrades fall, but we press on. Our objective is to break through the defenses and secure the beachhead.

**0900 Hours:**

Progress is slow. The beach is littered with obstacles and bodies. We finally get some reinforcements. The tanks are a sight for sore eyes, but even they struggle to move through the terrain.

**1200 Hours:**

We manage to push a little further inland. The casualty count is high. In our unit alone, we’ve lost nearly half. The medics are overwhelmed, and the cries of the wounded fill the air. But we can't stop.

**1500 Hours:**

We’ve linked up with another company. The beachhead is finally somewhat secure. Artillery continues to pound the German positions, and we keep moving, knowing the fate of the invasion rests on our shoulders.

**1800 Hours:**

We finally get a brief moment of respite. The fighting is far from over, but we have a foothold. We dig in, preparing for possible counterattacks. The medics are still working tirelessly, and we count our numbers. The toll is heavy.

**Casualty Counts:**

- Omaha Beach: Approximately 2,000 U.S. casualties, including killed, wounded, and missing.

- Utah Beach: Lighter resistance, around 200 U.S. casualties.

**Conclusion:**

As night falls, we reflect on the day. The price has been steep, but we have made the first step toward liberating France.

### Sources:

- [D-Day Casualties](https://www.ddaymuseum.org/the-d-day-invasion/casualties)

- [History.com - D-Day](https://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/d-day)

- [National D-Day Memorial](https://www.dday.org)