Normandy's sea-control battles, amphibious assault and fighting ashore are treated as parts of one connected operation. Tanks landed in the first waves to break the Atlantic Wall, with later fighting in the bocage a separate requirement. Offshore bombardment did not remove the need for firepower directly beside the landing troops. Armour could push through defended positions and shelter lighter troops as they moved forward, performing the same assault function assigned to heavily protected infantry in earlier warfare.
Notable Point · 41:51-43:58
Normandy's first-wave tanks were there to break the beach defences
Early tank landings supplied firepower against the Atlantic Wall and helped infantry advance as part of a connected sea and land operation.