75th Anniversary of Normandy Invasion

Previous Day Prev P    
Next Day Next N    

Wednesday, 19 June 2019 - Visited the World War II sites starting in Caen with a museum that puts the Normandy invasion into context, enjoyed a picnic lunch at an apple orchard and Calvados distillery, explored historic Sainte-Mère-Église with its famous paratrooper church, and toured Utah Beach and its museum before an evening discussion on the sacrifices of D-Day.

Over the next several days, we tour the beaches, museums and cemeteries that commemorate the D-Day battles and the thousands who gave their lives in the 24-hours that saved the world. The museum in Caen provides coverage of the lead-up to WW II and of the war in both Europe and the Pacific, accounts of the Holocaust and Nazi-occupied France, the Cold War aftermath and effectively puts the Battle of Normandy into a broader context.

normandy2019
We stop for a picnic lunch at an apple orchard and distillery where they've made Calvados, the regions' renowned cider brandy for hundreds of years.
normandy2019
Interesting items spread around the yard.
normandy2019
That afternoon, we visit Sainte-Mere-Eglise where U.S. paratroopers from the 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions faced heavy casualties, later capturing the town and securing its crossroads. The church in the town's center marks the spot where a paratrooper's parachute was caught on one of its high buttresses. This is the same site from the movie, the Longest Day, where Red Buttons are seen hanging from the church steeple.
normandy2019
The Sainte-Mere-Eglise Church alter.
normandy2019
There are two stained glass windows in the church illustrating the landings on D-Day.

In this one the paratroopers come down around the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus.
normandy2019
This stained glass window is of Saint Michael with icons of the 82nd Airborne and paratroopers on the edges.
normandy2019
The Saint Michael window detail - a plan dropping paratroopers and the cry that the allies are back.

D-Day in the Utah sector began at 01:30, when the first of the airborne units arrived, tasked with securing the key crossroads at Sainte-Mere-Eglise and controlling the causeways through the flooded farmland behind Utah so the infantry could advance inland. While some airborne objectives were quickly met, many paratroopers landed far from their drop zones and were unable to fulfill their objectives on the first day.
normandy2019
A charming stone home with a beautiful green ivy climbing its walls is across from the church in Sainte-Mere-Eglise.
normandy2019
Building in Sainte-Mere-Eglise
normandy2019
After Sainte-Mere-Eglise we drove to Utah beach.

A pillbox a distance off the beach in the dunes. Many of the pillboxes are still standing due to the cost and energy to tear them up.
normandy2019
The memorial to the men landing on Utah beach. The flags of the US and France flying in the background.
normandy2019
Barbed wire on the crest of the beach - not sure if it is crowd control or for reenacting the setting of the beach on 6 June 1944.
normandy2019
On the Utah beach, infantry and tanks landed in four waves beginning at 0630 and quickly secured the immediate area with minimal casualties. Meanwhile, engineers set to work clearing the area of obstacles and mines, and additional waves of reinforcements continued to arrive.
normandy2019
The 4th Infantry Division landed 21,000 troops on Utah at the cost of only 197 casualties. Airborne troops arriving by parachute and glider numbered an additional 14,000 men, with 2,500 casualties.
normandy2019
The landing craft were pushed to the south by strong currents, and they found themselves near Exit 2 at Grande Dune, about 2,000 yards from their intended landing zones opposite Exit 3 at Les Dunes de Varreville.

The first senior officer ashore, Assistant Division Commander Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. of the 4th Infantry Division, personally scouted the nearby terrain. He determined that this landing site was actually better, as there was only one strong point in the immediate vicinity. Deciding to "start the war from right here", he ordered further landings to be re-routed.
normandy2019
Utah beach under cloudy skies
normandy2019
The veterans in the group gathered to say a few words recognizing the sacrifice of the men on 6 June and pouring a bottle of red wine into the sands of Utah beach.
normandy2019
Pillbox disguised by the Germans with painted on windows and doors.

The pillbox was connected to a small cafe in 1944 - both are still connected. You can have a beer in the cafe.
normandy2019
Monument to the 4th Infantry Division which was the unit that landed on Utah beach.
normandy2019
The third wave, arriving at 0645, included 16 conventional M4 Sherman tanks.
normandy2019
We toured the Utah Beach Museum for a couple of hours and the grounds surrounding the memorials.

Later that evening, we hear from the granddaughter of a member in the French Resistance and the efforts by thousands of men and women who fought to liberate their country.

Previous Day Prev P    
Next Day Next N    

Top
Top    
  Cal and VA | Adventures | Normandy
        © Cal and Virginia Ann Holman
All Rights Reserved 2000-2025 Do not use without permission.
Privacy Policy - Terms
Modified last on 2025-12-26