azi Germany was preparing for the imminent Allied invasion along the mighty

      Atlantic Wall. Dug in on the heights that overlooked the expanse of beach, later

      known as "Omaha", was the under-manned and ill-equipped 352nd Infanterie

      Division. Although comprised of eleven different regiments, including the 916th

     Grenadier Regiment, the ranks were fleshed out with raw recruits mixed with

      a few seasoned veterans, remnants of divisions from the Eastern Front.

      hen the first waves of Allied landing craft came ashore, it fell to the 352nd to

      prevent the Allies from controlling the beach head. Ammunition, supplies and

      effective artillery support were nearly non-existent.

      he Allies found themselves pinned down for several crucial hours under a hail

      of rifle and machine gun fire. Outnumbered and desperately trying to beat back the

      constant surge of invaders, the lines of the 352nd were finally broken.

      ost of the 916th Grenadier Regiment were wiped out on the Normandy

      beach. The remaining members of the 352nd fought a desperate battle until

      virtually annihilated in the Battle of the Bulge.