Omaha Beach - Normandy, France
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neoc1
N 49° 22.257 W 000° 52.776
30U E 653931 N 5470856
The World War II battle of Omaha Beach took place on June 6, 1944 during the allied invasion of German occupied France by American troops.
Waymark Code: WM11RFW
Location: Normandie, France
Date Posted: 12/10/2019
Views: 12
Omaha Beach was the code name for one of the five sectors of the Allied invasion of German-occupied France in Normandy on June 6, 1944. The battle took place along a 8 kilometers (5 mi) section of the coast. The objective was to achieve a beachhead 5 miles into France in support for the liberation of France. During that day allied troops experienced strong resistance but were able to penetrated inland for 1.6 miles.
The Americans landed 34,000 troops and had 2,400 casualties. The German 352nd Division has 1,200 casualties which was 20 percent of its strength and had no reserves coming to continue the fight.
A monument on Omaha Beach, Les Braves, is an abstract sculpture honoring the Americans who liberated France. In the center, seven stainless steel columns rise from the sea. A group of five columns curves upwards, two columns stand upright the tallest reaching up 30 feet. An array of stainless steel wings flank both sides.
The sculpture was commissioned by the French government in 2004 to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. The work was the creation of Anilore Banon and consists of three elements: Each element is explained by Ms. Banon in a sign on land adjacent to the sculpture on the beach.
"I created this sculpture to honour the courage
of these men:
sons, husbands, and fathers, who endangered
and often sacrificed their lives in the hope of
freeing the french people.
LES BRAVES consist of three elements:
The Wings of Hope
So that the spirit which carried these men on 6th June 1944,
continues to inspire us, reminding us that together it is always
possible to change the future.
Rise of Freedom
So that the example of those who rose up against barbarity, helps us remain
standing strong against all forms on inhumanity.
The Wings of Fraternity
So that the surge of brotherhood always reminds of our responsibility
towards others as well as ourselves.
On 6th June 1944, these men were more than soldiers, they were our brothers."
Anilore BANON