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How did German strongpoints defend the causeways from Utah Beach?
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Utah Beach
Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division wade ashore at Victor sector, Utah Beach, on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Amphibious tanks are lined up at the water's edge.
At Utah Beach, the German defenses were primarily based on fixed infantry positions rather than the extensive fortifications seen at other landing sites, as the low-lying areas behind the beach were intentionally flooded to restrict movement.1
To defend the four causeways that served as the only viable routes for Allied forces to exit the beach and move inland, the Germans established strongpoints equipped with automatic weapons. These positions were designed to control the limited access points through the flooded lowlands. Additionally, coastal and field artillery batteries were positioned approximately 3 km (2 miles) inland to provide further defensive support.1