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D-Day General: How Dutch Cota Saved Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944
Omaha was the make-or-break Allied beach on D-Day—in (perhaps) the make-or-break campaign of World War II. If American soldiers couldn’t gain a foothold there, then D-Day was unlikely to succeed. On June 6, 1944, U.S. troops on Omaha suffered the worst casualties of any of the five Allied invasion beaches—so many casualties, and so much tactical difficulty, that Omaha almost didn’t succeed. One big reason why Americans gained a foothold on Omaha was Gen. Norman “Dutch” Cota.
A graduate of the West Point class of 1917 (alongside famous classmates Matthew Ridgway, Mark Clark, and Lightning Joe Collins), Norm Cota played football with Dwight Eisenhower, who graduated two years earlier. From March 1941 to February 1943, Cota served with the famous 1st Infantry Division, the Big Red One, as division intelligence officer, plans/training officer, and finally chief of staff. He performed so well in the North Africa campaign that he was sent to England to help plan D-Day. After laying the tactical groundwork for the amphibious landings, Cota was made assistant division commander of the 29th Infantry Division. On the eve of D-Day, he told his men, “You’re going to find confusion. The landing craft aren’t going in on schedule, and people are going to be landed in the wrong place. Some won’t be landed at all. . . . We must improvise, carry on, not lose our heads.”
On June 6, 1944, under heavy fire, Cota landed with the second wave of the 29th Infantry Division on Omaha Beach, about an hour after the start of the invasion. He personally rallied the survivors of the landings and led the opening of one of the first exits off Omaha. Cota seemed to be everywhere that day. Coming upon a group of Rangers, the general told them, “Rangers, lead the way” (hence the Rangers’ motto). He is also known for saying, “Gentlemen, we are being killed on the beaches. Let us go inland and be killed.” And, to a captain uncertain how to “I’ll tell you what, captain.You and your men start shooting at them. I’ll take a squad of men, and you and your men watch carefully. I’ll show you how to take a house with Germans in it.” Having demonstrated the task, Cota asked the officer, “Do you understand? Do you know how to do it now? . . . I won’t be around to do it for you again. I can’t do it for everybody.”
Great quips—which American military history will always remember and which show the character, in every sense, of Dutch Cota. Cota was a fighter—a fighting general, a D-Day general—and his contribution to D-Day will remain his rallying of demoralized troops and his blazing the trail toward the breakout and victory on Omaha. Ted Roosevelt Jr., who landed at Utah Beach, has always received credit as the D-Day general (like Cota, Roosevelt also demanded that he land on D-Day—and then died of a heart attack a month later), but Cota is the hero-general of the day, having landed early on D-Day on bloody Omaha. Portrayed by Robert Mitchum in the grand D-Day film The Longest Day, Cota has not yet received his due—and there’s a campaign now afoot to award him a belated Medal of Honor. His story cries out to be told. Now, with the cooperation of the Cota family, Noel F. Mehlo Jr. tells the compelling story Dutch Cota on Omaha Beach, revealing new information and never-before-seen photos.
A graduate of the West Point class of 1917 (alongside famous classmates Matthew Ridgway, Mark Clark, and Lightning Joe Collins), Norm Cota played football with Dwight Eisenhower, who graduated two years earlier. From March 1941 to February 1943, Cota served with the famous 1st Infantry Division, the Big Red One, as division intelligence officer, plans/training officer, and finally chief of staff. He performed so well in the North Africa campaign that he was sent to England to help plan D-Day. After laying the tactical groundwork for the amphibious landings, Cota was made assistant division commander of the 29th Infantry Division. On the eve of D-Day, he told his men, “You’re going to find confusion. The landing craft aren’t going in on schedule, and people are going to be landed in the wrong place. Some won’t be landed at all. . . . We must improvise, carry on, not lose our heads.”
On June 6, 1944, under heavy fire, Cota landed with the second wave of the 29th Infantry Division on Omaha Beach, about an hour after the start of the invasion. He personally rallied the survivors of the landings and led the opening of one of the first exits off Omaha. Cota seemed to be everywhere that day. Coming upon a group of Rangers, the general told them, “Rangers, lead the way” (hence the Rangers’ motto). He is also known for saying, “Gentlemen, we are being killed on the beaches. Let us go inland and be killed.” And, to a captain uncertain how to “I’ll tell you what, captain.You and your men start shooting at them. I’ll take a squad of men, and you and your men watch carefully. I’ll show you how to take a house with Germans in it.” Having demonstrated the task, Cota asked the officer, “Do you understand? Do you know how to do it now? . . . I won’t be around to do it for you again. I can’t do it for everybody.”
Great quips—which American military history will always remember and which show the character, in every sense, of Dutch Cota. Cota was a fighter—a fighting general, a D-Day general—and his contribution to D-Day will remain his rallying of demoralized troops and his blazing the trail toward the breakout and victory on Omaha. Ted Roosevelt Jr., who landed at Utah Beach, has always received credit as the D-Day general (like Cota, Roosevelt also demanded that he land on D-Day—and then died of a heart attack a month later), but Cota is the hero-general of the day, having landed early on D-Day on bloody Omaha. Portrayed by Robert Mitchum in the grand D-Day film The Longest Day, Cota has not yet received his due—and there’s a campaign now afoot to award him a belated Medal of Honor. His story cries out to be told. Now, with the cooperation of the Cota family, Noel F. Mehlo Jr. tells the compelling story Dutch Cota on Omaha Beach, revealing new information and never-before-seen photos.
400 pages, Hardcover
Published May 15, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 13, 2021
Omaha was the make-or-break Allied beach on D-Day--in (perhaps) the make-or-break campaign of World War II. If American soldiers couldn't gain a foothold there, then D-Day was unlikely to succeed. On June 6, 1944, U.S. troops on Omaha suffered the worst casualties of any of the five Allied invasion beaches--so many casualties, and so much tactical difficulty, that Omaha almost didn't succeed. One big reason why Americans gained a foothold on Omaha was Gen. Norman "Dutch" Cota. He performed so well in the North Africa campaign that he was sent to England to help plan D-Day. After laying the tactical groundwork for the amphibious landings, Cota was made assistant division commander of the 29th Infantry Division. On the eve of D-Day, he told his men, "You're going to find confusion. The landing craft aren't going in on schedule, and people are going to be landed in the wrong place. Some won't be landed at all. . . . We must improvise, carry on, not lose our heads." On June 6, 1944, under heavy fire, Cota landed with the second wave of the 29th Infantry Division on Omaha Beach, about an hour after the start of the invasion. He personally rallied the survivors of the landings and led the opening of one of the first exits off Omaha. Cota seemed to be everywhere that day. Coming upon a group of Rangers, the general told them, "Rangers, lead the way" (hence the Rangers' motto). He is also known for saying, "Gentlemen, we are being killed on the beaches. Let us go inland and be killed." And, to a captain uncertain how to proceed: "I'll tell you what, captain.You and your men start shooting at them. I'll take a squad of men, and you and your men watch carefully. I'll show you how to take a house with Germans in it." Having demonstrated the task, Cota asked the officer, "Do you understand? Do you know how to do it now? . . . I won't be around to do it for you again. I can't do it for everybody." Great quips--which American military history will always remember and which show the character, in every sense, of Dutch Cota. Cota was a fighter--a fighting general, a D-Day general--and his contribution to D-Day will remain his rallying of demoralized troops and his blazing the trail toward the breakout and victory on Omaha. Cota is the hero-general of the day, having landed early on D-Day on bloody Omaha. Portrayed by Robert Mitchum in the grand D-Day film The Longest Day, Cota has not yet received his due--and there's a campaign now afoot to award him a belated Medal of Honor. His story cries out to be told. Now, with the cooperation of the Cota family, Noel F. Mehlo Jr. tells the compelling story Dutch Cota on Omaha Beach, revealing new information and never-before-seen photos. I have to wonder how many more lesser-known tales of heroism that even today have yet to be told.
November 27, 2021
This book is about the leadership on 6 June 1944 by Brigadier General Norman "Duch" Cota. BG Cota was played by Robert Mitchum in the Movie, The Longest Day. I have read a lot about the D-Day Invasion and I have been fortunate enough to walk the beaches of Normandy. I have been an admirer of General Cota for as long as I can remember. This book supports the awarding of the Medal of Honor (MOH) to General Cota for his leadership on D-Day. BG Cota was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for those actions. It is thought by the author and others that Cota's actions deserve an upgrade to the MOH. To support the upgrade, the book traces Cota's movement and interaction with terrified and confused soldiers on the beach. It is a story of dauntless bravery under fire by the man who led the 29th Division off the beach and saved incalculable lives in the process.
Of course the story starts with the early life of Norman D. Cota through to West Point and Army life. The reader gets an understanding on Cota's character, love of family development as a leader. The book then turns to Cota's duties in the war prior to D-Day. BG Cota became an expert in amphibious landings and developed much of the Army doctrine that was taught and drilled into the soldiers who landed on Omaha Beach, Point du Hoc and Utah Beach on that June morning in 1944. "Fire and Movement" was his motto and it is what he named his jeep as Division Deputy Commanding General of the 29th Infantry Division. Fire and movement was what saved many a life on 6 June 1944. The author then tells the reader about the soldiers of the 29th and how they were trained and prepared for the invasion. BG Cota was a strong supporter of the Rangers. Cota organized a battalion of Rangers from the 29th although prior to the invasion it was disbanded and many of its members integrated into the separate Ranger battalions that landed. Next the German defenses and forces are described. I can honestly say that I learned more about the defenses on Omaha Beach than I had known from previous readings and even walking the beach from author Noel F. Mehlo, Jr.'s description and supporting maps and pictures. I have always been amazed that anyone lived on that beach. The weapons that were employed by the German forces were many and expertly positioned to effect maximum killing power and supporting fire for the defenders. The author ties the defenses to German doctrine dating back to Comte de Vauban. The fact that the German 352nd Infantry Division was on the beach in addition to the 716th Static Infantry Division was not known by the US forces planning and executing the invasion. This was a major gap in US intelligence. The 352nd was a seasoned fighting force and pretty much doubled the force facing the US on Omaha Beach. Its presence made the beach a much more formidable obstacle to overcome.
The invasion follows and BG Cota's actions are delineated with supporting statements from soldiers who witnessed it. I also learned more about the naval support. As an example the author points out that one shell from the 14-inch guns of the USS Texas generated kinetic energy of 3,802,500,000 joules which amounted to 0.0009088 kilotons of TNT. Although the bombing and initial bombardment did not achieve the desired results. The supporting fire especially from Destroyers was effective and appreciated by the soldiers. BG Cota landed and immediately assessed the situation. He then proceeded to get soldiers off the beach. He moved upright under fire and by physical courage alone spirited the soldiers often frightened and leaderless into fire and movement off the beach. Cota found the Rangers and gave them their motto that remains today, "Rangers Lead The Way!" A statement quoted from 1LT Fitzsimmons of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, "...I recall seeing a Brigadier General standing up waving a pistol to show men lying on the beach it would be best for them to move inland, not stay on the beach" (Mehlo, p. 188).Before the day was out, BG Cota would walk 17 miles under fire encouraging soldiers, even leading an assault across a field and another against an enemy occupied house. He would travel another 4.5 miles by jeep before the longest day was over. I personally support the MOH for BG Cota's actions.
This is an excellent book about D-Day on Omaha Beach. It is also about intrepid leadership of an outstanding officer. I highly recommend it to all WWII buffs and leadership enthusiasts.
Of course the story starts with the early life of Norman D. Cota through to West Point and Army life. The reader gets an understanding on Cota's character, love of family development as a leader. The book then turns to Cota's duties in the war prior to D-Day. BG Cota became an expert in amphibious landings and developed much of the Army doctrine that was taught and drilled into the soldiers who landed on Omaha Beach, Point du Hoc and Utah Beach on that June morning in 1944. "Fire and Movement" was his motto and it is what he named his jeep as Division Deputy Commanding General of the 29th Infantry Division. Fire and movement was what saved many a life on 6 June 1944. The author then tells the reader about the soldiers of the 29th and how they were trained and prepared for the invasion. BG Cota was a strong supporter of the Rangers. Cota organized a battalion of Rangers from the 29th although prior to the invasion it was disbanded and many of its members integrated into the separate Ranger battalions that landed. Next the German defenses and forces are described. I can honestly say that I learned more about the defenses on Omaha Beach than I had known from previous readings and even walking the beach from author Noel F. Mehlo, Jr.'s description and supporting maps and pictures. I have always been amazed that anyone lived on that beach. The weapons that were employed by the German forces were many and expertly positioned to effect maximum killing power and supporting fire for the defenders. The author ties the defenses to German doctrine dating back to Comte de Vauban. The fact that the German 352nd Infantry Division was on the beach in addition to the 716th Static Infantry Division was not known by the US forces planning and executing the invasion. This was a major gap in US intelligence. The 352nd was a seasoned fighting force and pretty much doubled the force facing the US on Omaha Beach. Its presence made the beach a much more formidable obstacle to overcome.
The invasion follows and BG Cota's actions are delineated with supporting statements from soldiers who witnessed it. I also learned more about the naval support. As an example the author points out that one shell from the 14-inch guns of the USS Texas generated kinetic energy of 3,802,500,000 joules which amounted to 0.0009088 kilotons of TNT. Although the bombing and initial bombardment did not achieve the desired results. The supporting fire especially from Destroyers was effective and appreciated by the soldiers. BG Cota landed and immediately assessed the situation. He then proceeded to get soldiers off the beach. He moved upright under fire and by physical courage alone spirited the soldiers often frightened and leaderless into fire and movement off the beach. Cota found the Rangers and gave them their motto that remains today, "Rangers Lead The Way!" A statement quoted from 1LT Fitzsimmons of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, "...I recall seeing a Brigadier General standing up waving a pistol to show men lying on the beach it would be best for them to move inland, not stay on the beach" (Mehlo, p. 188).Before the day was out, BG Cota would walk 17 miles under fire encouraging soldiers, even leading an assault across a field and another against an enemy occupied house. He would travel another 4.5 miles by jeep before the longest day was over. I personally support the MOH for BG Cota's actions.
This is an excellent book about D-Day on Omaha Beach. It is also about intrepid leadership of an outstanding officer. I highly recommend it to all WWII buffs and leadership enthusiasts.
January 5, 2024
The famous generals of World War II are Eisenhower, Montgomery, Bradley, MacArthur and Patton. But one of my favorite ones to study is the American general whose name keeps popping up whenever I read about D-Day: General Norman “Dutch” Cota who landed on Omaha Beach.
This book examines the career of General Cota. Especially the period in which he received his Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on Omaha Beach during the Normandy invasion. General Cota landed on the beach shortly after the first assault wave of troops had landed. At this time the beach was under heavy enemy rifle, machine gun, mortar and artillery fire. Numerous casualties had been suffered, the attack was arrested, and disorganization was in process. With complete disregard for his own safety, General Cota moved up and down the fire-swept beach reorganizing units and coordinating their action. Under his leadership, a vigorous attack was launched that successfully overran the enemy positions and cleared the beaches.
The book makes the case he should be upgraded from Distinguished Service Cross to Medal of Honor. After reading this I was convinced. The book does a decent job in presenting its case and there is no doubt in anyone who reads this book that Medal of Honor should be granted to the late general. I'm puzzled that he has not received such recognition. I give the author full credit for his persuasive argument and his description of the General's personal actions on D-Day. Yet, the book really does little to expand the knowledge base of the reader, unless they are entirely unversed in the subject of D-Day. The book wonderfully described General Cota's impressive conduct, but unfortunately, its repetitious.
This book examines the career of General Cota. Especially the period in which he received his Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on Omaha Beach during the Normandy invasion. General Cota landed on the beach shortly after the first assault wave of troops had landed. At this time the beach was under heavy enemy rifle, machine gun, mortar and artillery fire. Numerous casualties had been suffered, the attack was arrested, and disorganization was in process. With complete disregard for his own safety, General Cota moved up and down the fire-swept beach reorganizing units and coordinating their action. Under his leadership, a vigorous attack was launched that successfully overran the enemy positions and cleared the beaches.
The book makes the case he should be upgraded from Distinguished Service Cross to Medal of Honor. After reading this I was convinced. The book does a decent job in presenting its case and there is no doubt in anyone who reads this book that Medal of Honor should be granted to the late general. I'm puzzled that he has not received such recognition. I give the author full credit for his persuasive argument and his description of the General's personal actions on D-Day. Yet, the book really does little to expand the knowledge base of the reader, unless they are entirely unversed in the subject of D-Day. The book wonderfully described General Cota's impressive conduct, but unfortunately, its repetitious.
March 26, 2024
Totally agree with the author that General Cota deserves the MOH. As are many others whose bravery was never documented in the fog of war.
Book at times seemed liked something you would read in war college. Maps were difficult to read and some of the text was redundant.
Book at times seemed liked something you would read in war college. Maps were difficult to read and some of the text was redundant.
January 2, 2026
I learned so much about this great general! I was familiar with him, having done a little research for another class that I took years ago, but this book brought so much more, and gave me a better appreciation for General Cota.
September 13, 2024
Let's call this a provisional review as I'm just 50 odd pages in.
I love history, particularly WWII and read a lot of it. I'm sorry to say, so far, it's
tedious and dull as plain oatmeal.
I love history, particularly WWII and read a lot of it. I'm sorry to say, so far, it's
tedious and dull as plain oatmeal.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews