<P> Casualties among the defenders were mounting . While the 916th regiment, defending the center of the 352nd zone, was reporting that the landings had been frustrated, it was also requesting reinforcements . The request could not be met, because the situation elsewhere in Normandy was becoming more urgent for the defenders . The reserve force of the German 352nd division, the 915th regiment, which had earlier been deployed against the US airborne landings to the west of Omaha, was diverted to the Gold zone east of Omaha, where German defenses were crumbling . </P> <P> Unidentified lieutenant, Easy Red . </P> <P> The key geographical features that had influenced the landings also influenced the next phase of the battle: the draws, the natural exits off the beaches, were the main targets in the initial assault plan . The strongly concentrated defenses around these draws meant that the troops landing near them quickly became incapable of carrying out a further assault . In the areas between the draws, at the bluffs, units were able to land in greater strength . Defenses were also weaker away from the draws, thus most advances were made there . </P> <P> The other key aspect of the next few hours was leadership . The original plan was in tatters, with so many units mis - landed, disorganized and scattered . Most commanders had fallen or were absent, and there were few ways to communicate, other than shouted commands . In places, small groups of men, sometimes scratched together from different companies, in some cases from different divisions, were "...inspired, encouraged or bullied ..." out of the relative safety of the shingle, starting the dangerous task of reducing the defenses atop the bluffs . </P>

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