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One of the strongest component of the U.S. Army was the Artillery. This is a component too often neglected in World War II histories which commonly emphasis air power and tanks. Rarely reported is that in both World War I and II, the primary killer was the artillery. This was the primary problem for D-Day, during that all important initial landing and first day, the landing parties and airborne would not have artillery with them and the Germans would. One solution was D-Day tanks which could be floated ashore. Few however reached shore. So on that first critical day there was no Army artillery supporting the beach head. This could have led to disaster, but fortunately for the soldiers landing on the beaches and pushing inland, the U.S. Navy provide fire support. Realizing this, the Allied armada brought powerful naval artillery to Normandy. It could not be used before the invasion, because that would have tipped off the location. But beginning on D-Day it was on full display. It was provided by 7 battleships, 23 cruisers, 93 destroyers, 2 monitors, and 2 gunboats. The American comnanders illadvisedly decided against a prolonged naval bombardment before the landings. Notice only two of the seven D-Day battleships were in the American sector. Critical on that the first day was the destroyers moving into just just a few hundred yards off the beach and blasting German fortifications over-looking Omaha. Heavier firepower was provided by cruisers and battleships as units moved inland. It was critical on stabilizing the beachhead and the link up. The battleships could reach over 10 miles inland. This along with air attacks disrupted German efforts to assemble forces for an attack on the beaches in strength. The air support was essential, but the planes did not have the emnense power of naval gun fire. After the first day, artillery was being landed to support the beachheads. The Germans kept their reserves inland, having experienced the power of Allied naval gunfire in Sicily and Italy. [Tillman] But the only hope of success was stopping the Allies on the beaches. It was Erwin Rommel, commander if the Atlantic Wall defenses, who would call it the "Longest Day" because of its importance. It was also Rommel who noted the strength of American artillery in Tunisia. Both infantry and airborne forces had gunfire spotters down to the battalion level, and some naval officers jumped with the paratroopers to provide spotter capability. In the American sector, the Battleships were World War I veterans, USS Arkansas and USS Texas with 14 inch main rifles. Royal Navy and Free French cruisers also provided fire support. The First Infantry Division chief of staff after the War stated that, "The Big Red One would not have been able to move off Omaha Beach without effective naval gunfire."
Tillman, Barrett.D-Day Encyclopedia.
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