Normandy: No Words Can Possibly Do It Justice

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A lifetime of waiting has finally brought Jason to Normandy, the region in France where the D-day landings, codenamed Operation Overlord, took place and the subsequent Battle of Normandy. Without a doubt this has been one of the most amazing experiences we have ever had. Not just because Tracey's grandfather was among those soldiers who landed on Omaha Beach and bravely fought through Normandy, Belgium and Germany. And not just because this whole real life conflict of good vs. evil has fascinated Jason since he can remember. It's because when you are here, the stories you hear, the battle fields you walk, and monuments you see involve every human emotion there is and capture the imagination like nothing else.

While here we visited the two American beaches, Utah and Omaha. These are open beaches that you can walk freely. German bunkers are still there with very little damage. To see the vastness of these beaches at low tide and to imagine having to run the approximate 300 yards of distance under heavy fire just to reach the sea wall is unfathomable. That was just the half of it. We learned that before landing these soldiers had been sea sick from hours in a non-streamlined water craft and from the chemicals on their clothing that were intended to tell them if chemical weapons were used. They had also been bailing water out of the landing craft as many stood waist high in water. We could go on and on about the difficulties faced here and never do it justice but suffice it to say that all they went through just to land on the beach sounds impossible in itself. To go through all that and the fighting on the beach and then continue fighting the next day and day after that is why every veteran from this place is a true hero.

This whole stretch of 5 beaches (Utah, Omaha, Sword, Gold, and Juno) was only defended by 800 of Hilter's conscript soldiers. This was because he believed the real attack would be more north. Imagine if he knew the invasion was going to come here.

We also visited Pointe Du Hoc. This is the cliff face that U.S. Army Rangers climbed while under enemy fire to take out six large enemy guns they thought were at the location. When they reached the top they found the guns had been moved prior to the invasion and replaced with dummy wooden poles. They would soon discover the new locations and destroy the guns. The landscape here is entirely cratered due to allied bombing and shelling. The craters are huge but despite this, the concrete German bunkers are largely in tacked and none that we saw had any damage from the bombing. Here you also get an amazing view of the ocean and can imagine the difference in scenery for the Germans from sunset on June 5, 1944 and sunrise June 6, 1944 when 6,900 naval warships would suddenly descend upon them virtually covering the entire seascape.

We saw actual locations of numerous other battles including those depicted in Band of Brothers and many others just as incredible but not as famous. The American and German Cemeteries are especially thought provoking. Here you stand where the actual men who fought here are now located. You also gain a bit of understanding for many of the troops who fought for Germany because they were forced into this war by Hitler after their countries were invaded by Germany.

All in all there are far too many stories, facts, and experiences to list here. We can only say that anyone visiting Europe has to make Normandy a must see. Not only should every generation visit here to ensure this part of history is never repeated but Normandy is also a very beautiful region of France. It is a popular vacation destination here and rightfully so. It certainly has the character anyone could be looking for in a European holiday.

We will definitely be back.

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Photos

View from Inside a German Gun Position on Pointe Du Hoc
This one was infinished when D-Day arrived. The Germans had still been building it the night before the invasion.

Shelling Craters on Pointe Du Hoc
Note how the concrete bunker is completely intact despite this incredible crater. This is the scene all over Pointe Du Hoc.

More Craters and Bunker Rubble
These were either unfinished bunkers or were destroyed after d-day.

Sean, Our Guide, Telling Us Another Incredible Story
Here he explaines how U.S. Army Rangers Lomell and Kuhn alone located the new positions of the guns and destroyed them with thermal grenades, saving countless ships from suffering enormous damage.

Inside German Living Quarters
Located under the gun positions on Pointe Du Hoc

Omaha Beach, Dog Green Sector
This is where the heaviest fighting took place where the opening scene from Saving Private Ryan is based.

Another View of Omaha Beach
Note the vastness of the beach. They had to run about 300 yards under severe enemy fire while packs of at least 70 pounds.

In a Solemn Place
Jason at a dream come true and Tracey standing where her grandfather landed 63 years ago to begin his heroic trek through to the heart of Germany.

View of Omaha Beach Hillside
Taken from same location as prior photos, just facing the hillside instead of the ocean. There are three German gun positions here. One is the large concrete structure in the center. Can you find the other two? Now try to do it while under German fire and running for your life.

View of Omaha Beach Today
Taken from German Lookout and stronghold that overlooks all of Omaha Beach.

Not Just Another French Farm House
In this location on D-day, U.S. paratrooper Malcolm Brannen, who had accidentally been dropped in the wrong location, came across and killed German Lieutenant-General Wilhelm Falley. Falley was concidered the most capable General in Germany and Brannen inadvertantly gave the allies a huge advantage on D-day.

Church Where Paratrooper John Steele Got Hung Up on D-Day
The dummy is actually placed on the wrong side of the church but suffers less damage on this side. Steele was hung up on the exact opposite side until he was cut down by the Germans. He actually managed to escape but not before his life was saved by another paratrooper...the incredible stories go on forever.

Utah Beach Today
Those small specks are people at the waters edge. Gives you an idea of how far they had to run with full packs on and while sea sick. Good thing this beach was not as heavily defended as Omaha but the fighting was still bad.

An Actual Landing Craft on Utah Beach
These things are even more rough and flimsy looking in person. They are made of metal and thin wood.

Comments

[Dfhj007]

Thank you
This was amazing. Thank you for such detailed photos with great captions. I have no relatives who stormed the beach however I am a lover of History and moreover of American heroism. I hope that someday I can make the journey there.

[Philip Price]

In a solemn place
To stand at that most honourable of places, to look and try to imagine the sights and sounds of that day of days.Then pay a silent tribute. "now fades the glimmering landscape on the site and all the air a solemn stillness holds"

[Philip Price]

In a solemn place
To stand at that most honourable of places, to look and try to imagine the sights and sounds of that day of days.Then pay a silent tribute. "now fades the glimmering landscape on the site and all the air a solemn stillness holds"