 Coastal troop deployments , comprising five companies of infantry , were concentrated mostly at 15 strongpoints called Widerstandsnester ( " resistance nests " ) , numbered WN @-@ 60 in the east to WN @-@ 74 near Vierville in the west , located primarily around the entrances to the draws and protected by minefields and wire . Positions within each strongpoint were interconnected by trenches and tunnels . As well as the basic weaponry of rifles and machine guns , more than 60 light artillery pieces were deployed at these strongpoints . The heaviest pieces were located in eight gun casemates and four open positions while the lighter guns were housed in 35 pillboxes . A further 18 anti @-@ tank guns completed the disposition of artillery targeting the beach . Areas between the strongpoints were lightly manned with occasional trenches , rifle pits , and 85 machine @-@ gun emplacements . No area of the beach was left uncovered , and the disposition of weapons meant that flanking fire could be brought to bear anywhere along the beach . 
