Training

Training for D-Day

Large areas of Dorset were taken over for the Americans to carry out their training for D-Day. These areas were mainly on the coast, with the principal amphibious training area being Studland Bay. The now peaceful beaches and heathland became live firing training areas, where the US troops practiced their assault techniques, complete with naval gunfire, tanks and aircraft.

Other assault landing training took place in Weymouth Harbour and on the beaches and country immediately inland as far west as Lyme Regis. All these training areas were out of bounds to the British public and the whole invasion assembly area was subject to travel restrictions.

US Rangers

The American equivalent of the elite Commandos, the 'Rangers', were also based in and did much of their training around Dorset. Much of their specialist training was completed on the remarkably similar loose limestone cliffs at Burton Bradstock and at Swanage. 2nd Ranger Battalion eventually landed at the westerly end of 'Bloody Omaha' and climbed the cliff to successfully seize a major German battery of six 155mm guns on the Normandy coast at Point du Hoc.

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