Message #306749

[DumbAss Tanker]

Dutch is quite correct, as usual, and the "Why" is often missing from historical documentaries which tend to concentrate on the "Human interest story" and consequent need to find heroes and villains instead of just giving a complete and accurate picture of events.  Thing is, there was no particular reason to be aware in advance that German resistance would be stiffer at one beach over the other, and once the assault goes in, you are pretty locked in to seeing it through, even if it becomes evident the price of success is going to be a lot higher than the estimate.  The difficulty of disengagement and retreat while in close contact is legendary and produces additional very large casualty numbers on top of what you've already suffered getting to that decision point, for NOTHING, so generally in amphibious assault withdrawal is only a real consideration if it appears success has actually become impossible.  A lot has been made of Eisenhower preparing a withdrawal message, but I don't think it was really in the cards, just preparation for a contingency.  It would have been a total ball-buster for morale, even with the other four landings achieving objectives and eventually outflanking the German defenses on Omaha.