Not even sure where to begin... The day started early... a 2 1/2 bus ride, but boy, were we rewarded. The highlight was the American Cemetery... oh, and the German Gun Fortifications. The other places were so filled with tourists... we were a bit frustrated... We found we just wanted to be quiet, look at the land, and all these people were everywhere... At the D-Day Museum in Arromanches... filled to the brim... Jerry and I didn't spend much time in there... The carousel outside, just didn't fit.... Don't get me wrong... We were glad we went... but that beach, which is where the museum was, is where they Allies built a port to bring in supplies... an interesting story... but just not as emotional.
Drove a tad bit to the German Gun Turrets... Oh my goodness... still preserved really well and you could see how they could hit a ship in the bay. One Turret had an explosion within, and destroyed itself as they were mostly indestructible from the outside. Most of these turrets were destroyed after the war, so the world is fortunate, the local Mayor at the time had the foresight to save these particular ones for historical purposes (as an aside, I wonder if he was thinking tourist... naw,..I'm not going to go there!)
The German's had really infiltrated the whole area (duh!) and the French in the area, some displaced, while other had to give 2/3's of their homes to the Germans, on and on... The French Resistance was active and so helpful. Our tour guide, so knowledgeable, her Great Grandparents were both part of it. She got to hear first hand some of the stories. Her Great Grandpa made fake French ID for the English and American's, so they could get out of the area (She said he told the men "Just don't open your mouth and talk!")
Our next visit was Omaha Beach... Tide was way up, so we had to imagine what the 500 yards those young men had to endure getting to the beach. The hillside overlooking a very wide open beach... The lack of protection.... The journey over the soggy sand ...Some being killed instantly or injured badly, and when the tide came in they died... Okay, no more...I'm get emotional again...
Another little ride to the American Cemetery, where the emotions bubbled over big time! Our boat, The River Baroness, made arrangements with the Cemetery to lay a wreath of flowers at the base of the memorial statue "Spirit of the American Youth".... so many young men lost their lives that day and the following (and the previous even in prep)... Scouting the area, cleaning the mine fields the Germans had laid in all the farm land, etc... They asked current veterans and active duty to come forward... (about 10 in our group of 60)... The National Anthem was played, I cannot begin to tell you how it felt as we sang, looked down the reflective pool and on to the Memorial at the other end, all the crosses,,,, Then, Jerry and the others ( including Elizabeth, active duty officer, 30 years in and a sweetie, btw) laid the wreath.... I was so emotional did awful at the picture taking. That was followed by 21 gun salute (recorded...) and then taps and a minute of silence. Egads... We were all a mess by the end! Later, Jerry and I walked all the way around all 9,387 graves. We wondered about our country... where it is now compared to then...
Got back to the boat.. and saw an email from relative Carolyn W.... Hate the 9 hour time difference... Anyway, her husband's dad is buried there and she gave us all the info so we could have gone to the cross. He lost his life in the Hedgerows... which was something we discussed on the tour... just how dangerous those were back then...
The two hour drive back to the boat... I slept for an hour of it... very rare for me... as for Jerry, no problemo!!!! he sleeps anywhere! We were pretty exhausted and felt blessed we had this opportunity to be in France.
Cows peaceful in the fields... but after DDay... all these fields had to be cleared of German Mine Fields... and many more lost their lives...plus in the surrounding Hedgerows...
A perfect view to attack in the bay ahead...
The only bunker destroyed... they were 'indestructible'... however, this one was destroyed from within when the ammo exploded... about 40 feet away, behind, was a huge chuck of concrete from the rear of the building.
Newly opened Tank Museum... we did not visit...
Had to post a picture of a church and the Steeple.... ALL THE STEEPLES on all the churches were destroyed as German Snipers could be hiding there. All steeples have been rebuilt.
These were called Whales.... they were the instant bridges that were set up... English designed and, despite the US's doubts, they did their job. After the war, many of them were used to replace the bridges all over the country that were destroyed. The last one in use was replaced in the last 10 years... They were too narrow for modern traffic volumes.
High Tide... a peaceful looking place... even open for public swimming... but, the story was so different on D-Day
Modern Sculpture midst some of the other more traditional
Very moving... but, dang, the 'beach hair' is not what either of us like!
Before the wreath laying... American Youth Memorial... 17 year olds lost their lives, they lied to get into the service.... Wonder if we would see any of that now?
Looking the opposite direction
So tranquil now
My heart burst with pride as I saw Jerry there... He was a submariner with the Navy...
