Soldiers of the 320th Very Low Altitude Barrage Balloon Battalion Prepare to Deploy a Balloon on Omaha Beach
June 1944 Photograph
Reinforcements continued to come ashore, along with artillery, jeeps, and a variety of supplies throughout the coming days. This materiel supported the infantry as they made their way toward Cherbourg, Colleville-sur-Mer, and Carentan, and would help secure the Allied foothold in Europe. The 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, the first African American unit to come ashore on D-Day, was responsible for deploying these balloons during and after the invasion.
Courtesy of The National WWII Museum
