The soldiers who landed found varying degrees of opposition. On some beaches they just walked ashore.
The beach featured in s p ryan is Omaha, and this was the worst of the lot. It was heavily defended and had loads of obsticles in the water to stop boats getting too close.
The beaches were supposed to be roughed up by planes and boats before the soldiers landed, but they could not do it too early as it may warn the Germans of the attack.
So some of the planes flew over very early in the morning to bomb the beach and cliffs, but because of mist could not see the shore, so rather than bomb their own men they overshot and bombed hald a mile in land.
Warships were also supposed to rough up the German positions but could not get their guns low enough to hit the cliff.
So the poor s0ds who landed at Omaha were like sitting ducks, Thousands were killed on the beach and at one time the US leaders even thought of pulling out of that beach.
It took all day to get off the beach and it delayed the march inland and almost ruined the whole attack.
Easy to follow site here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/find_out/new sid_3771000/3771223.stm