I was just watching the battle scene from Saving Private Ryan. Clearly, bombardment wasn't enough to weaken the machine gun emplacements. But as I watched, I thought that obscuring the gunners' vision, even partially, seemed like it would have helped. Further, I have read and watched many accounts of the many unusual inventions and tactics the Allies developed and considered; so, surely, they must of that of 'smoke'. Can anyone tell us about why smoke wasn't used, or practical, and if any other crazy ideas to help the men landing on the beach that were considered?