Normandy Beaches

Europe » France » Lower Normandy » Arromanches-les-Bains
April 14th 2009

Published: April 17th 2009

Edit Blog Post

GaryandGai

Arromanches-les-Bains

Port Winston

Drove 3 hours through the Normandy countryside to visit some of the D-Day Beaches.

First stop at Arromanches-les-Bains, the western-most point of GOLD beach, and the site of Port Winston. This is where the first artificial harbour was set up on June 6, with 17 old ships, and 115 Mulberries (football field size concrete blocks) towed across the channel and sunk.

Then on to Longues-sur-Mer, where remains an intact German batterry of 4 150mm guns, with a range of 20km. The observation post was set 300m in front on the cliffs. These guns bombarded both the landing fleet and GOLD & OMAHA beaches.

Next to Colleville-sur-Mer, and the largest American war cemetery. Overlooking OMAHA beach, some 9,000 Americans are buried there, marked by white marble crosses or Jewish stars. A sobering sight and memorial to the sacrifices of many.

At Vierville-sur-Mer, the bloodiest sector of OMAHA beach, walked down onto the beach, and visited a memorial in the sand.

Finally to La Cambe, and the German military cemetery, containing 21,000 soldiers. Dominated by a 6m high central mound, topped by a granite cross, containg bodies of 396 unknown soldiers.

Additional photos below

Photos: 13, Displayed: 13