Floundered U.S. infantry on Fox Sector seek shelter from German fire from WN60 beneath the low cliffs

WN60, The first resistance nest to be captured on D-Day

WN60 was the most easterly of the resistance nests guarding OMAHA Beach. It overlooked Fox Sector and the beach exit Fox-1 Draw. It was manned by 40 German soldiers. On D-Day, June 6th 1944,  elements of U.S. 1st Infantry Division landed opposite WN60. The Resistance Nest had one 75mm gun, one French tank turret mounted on a concrete bunker, an Anti-Aircraft position and four mortars. An observation point on the cliffs gave the Germans an excellent view of the beach.

WN60 was the first resistance nest to fall at about 08.00-09.00hrs on D-Day when it was outflanked by the infantry and attacked from the side and rear. Despite the capture of WN60 Fox-1 Draw was not secured until much later in the day. Today,  the WN60 resistance nest is off the beaten track and not such a popular site to visit as WN62 (see earlier post).  Very often, when I take a tour group to visit, we will be the only people there and today’s peace and quiet provides a real contrast against which to imagine the action and heroics of D-Day.

By Malcolm Clough.