We traveled along the local roads in Normandy to visit Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword Beaches All of these were involved in D-Day. Americans came ashore at Utah and Omaha, British at Gold, Canadians at Juno and the British and French were at Sword. We stopped at each beach and spent time reading the plaques and going to the museums that tell the stories of bravery, determination and tragedies of the D-Day landing and the time leading up to World War II. (1933- 1945). Germany surrendered to Allies on 7 May 1945 and Japan surrendered to Allies on 2 Sept 1945 ending World War II. Then the reconstruction began! Imagine how they coordinated with all the countries during the War back then without the modern communication that we have in this day! Also imagine all the people that were prisoners or towns people that had to put their lives back together. REMEMBER that an estimated 60 MILLION people were killed in Europe during World War II ( 25% allied military, 13% axis military, 4% axis civilians and 58% civilians). What words do I use to tell about the sadness and despair of those who lost so many family members and friends both in Europe and the United States. ..except "let us remember and educate our children and their children etc. so this never can happen again". I wonder and doubt if History is taught in the US and other countries to really tell of the bravery of men and women who fought and the human tragedy of these wars and the impact it should have so WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! Several private homes in the villages had American Flags flying. All the Beaches that were involved in D Day had memorials to all the countries that were involved in securing the Normandy Beaches on D Day 1944.
As we drove the country roads, we came around a corner and there was the Pegasus Bridge....the British taking of this bridge in the early hours of D-Day was a major triumph for the Allies. The control gave the Allies the opportunity to disrupt the Germans ability to bring in re-enforcements to the Normandy beaches. They had a nice little museum that we visited. On another day as we ventured out , we once again came to Pegasus Bridge and it was not raining so we explored across the bridge. While we were at Pegasus Bridge ..the bridge was opened for a Navy Ship that was taking part in the D-Day Celebration...how was that for timing!!
Along the beaches we could still see the caissons in the water that were the artificial harbor and docks put in place at Arromanches on Gold Beach to off load people, vehicles and supplies until the ports of Le Havre and Cherbourg were captured and restored. We went to Pointe Du Hoc and walked the area above the 100 foot Cliffs where the US Army Rangers Assault Group captured Pointe Du Hoc after scaling the cliffs. 225+ Rangers landed on the beach on the morning of 6 June 1944 and only 90 survived and held the area until they were releived by troops from Omaha Beach on 8 June 1944. We saw hedge rows , placement where guns were hidden, concrete pylons that were floated over from England , German underground batteries all that represented the historical sites of the Atlantic Wall. The Atlantic WALL was an extensive system of coastal defense and fortifications built by Nazi Germany between 1942-1944 along the coast of continental Europe and Scandinavia as a defense against an anticipated Allied Invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe from Great Britain during World
War II.
As we travel all of these historical sites and monuments there is a sadness for all of the lives lost, suffering of the wounded, families that lost not only their loved ones but also years of their lives whether as prisoners or war camps or that their freedom to live in their homes was changed by the forces that occupied their towns. Also a feeling of joy and amazement that after 72 years, there are so many locals and people from all over the world that come to remember D-Day 1944 and show their respect. AND as George said in one of his postings "nice to see our military will be on hand and participating in all the activities in the towns along the beaches and inland, they will be parachuting, marching, doing presentations, meeting and greeting visitors...they are playing a big part in the week leading up to June 6th. We are so glad that we planned this trip and ended our continent adventure here, it is an amazing spectacle to witness. We will be out every day to learn, to take pictures, to understand, and to admire the events of the Normandy landing and the days following June 6, 1944"
We have discussed between us if " the younger generations will do the same" as the tourist from all over the world we see are mostly "our age" or in their 50"s. When you think of the 60 MILLION who lost their lives for us...do they not deserve to have HISTORY remember them...ask yourself?
In the last few days, we were able to attend D-Day Celebrations at Sainte Marie Du Mont, Sainte Mere Eglis, Utah Beach, Ravensville, Picauville, Carentan and a few more, I am sure. We listened to a concert by the Iowa State Marching Band and Southern Arizona Ladies Choir while we had some local food of Bratwurst and Frys and of course the guys had a beer! We attended a parade in Saint Mere Eglise with Iowa State Marching Band, Southern Arizona Ladies Choir, Military Vehicles, Veterans from D-Day. We also went to Sainte Marie Du Mont to see the 82nd Airborne and French Paratroopers drop but due to weather the event was canceled but they had wonderful music from the 1940's ! We did attend the le Fiere Paratrooper jump with 500 men and 7 planes . They had about 20 paratroopers drop from the planes each time they passed over this little town. in one of the field where during World War. The German troops had flooded the fields during the war to slow down the attackers but also provided cover for the German troops defending the land.
Yesterday when we attended a D-Day celebration , we had parked in a field and walked into the town. We returned to our car after several hours and sat in the car and had a lunch before we left to go to see a German Battery we had yet to see. When we drove to go out of the field, the gaurds told us that the road was closed until 4 PM and it was only after 1130 hmmm. There were several other cars and motorcycles that also were trying to leave. After other cars doing a lot of horn honking and many cars moving forward to the gate and talking to the guards...they decided that we could leave the parking area. We were thankful that were only held up about an hour..it seemed there was not a plan for letting the cars leave before 4 PM when the celebration was over as it was a one lane dirt road!! We were beginning to think may soon have an altercation ...it was like a herd of cows all trying to get out of a one door pen at one time!!
We had a list of all we wanted to do while we were here in Normandy for D-Day 2016 ..and feel we completed that list plus more and being able to share this adventure with Pat ant George was the best of all. We especially enjoyed seeing the American Soldiers here to participate in the D-Day Celebration and spending time talking to them. They were here from the USA and some were stationed here in Europe.
Today we walked down to the grocery and to the pharmacy here in Soliers as we are having a "down day" getting rested and ready to leave for Calais, France tomorrow to turn in our "continent" car and take the ferry back to Dover, England on Wednesday where we will pick up another car for the last week in England before we leave for the east coast of the USA. We have had the most difficult time finding restaurants since here in France...either the restaurants are not open when we are Hungary or they are closed for the day! Not all the menus are in English too so when the wait staff does not speak English can present a problem...but we usually overcome. SOOO , we have been eating a lot of bakery foods or foods from the stands set up at the celebrations for D-Day.
~To our fallen soldiers...you have done your duty. To honor you is ours. ~
God Bless,
Tom and Maryann
