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By: 13th September 2012 at 09:26 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-I think Moggy, (Where is he lately?.) has paid quite a few visits to the places you want to go to, so perhaps a P.M. to him, may help, Although, being the rich s*d he is, he flies over there, so I don't know about the Ferries bit.
Jim.
Lincoln .7.
By: 13th September 2012 at 10:44 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-id love to do these trips too, if anyone could list a good charter company that would be kool
aswell as a discussion on what to see ETC...whats still there from those dark days of WW2?
By: 13th September 2012 at 16:58 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-I think Moggy, (Where is he lately?.) has paid quite a few visits to the places you want to go to, so perhaps a P.M. to him, may help, Although, being the rich s*d he is, he flies over there, so I don't know about the Ferries bit.
Jim.
Lincoln .7.
Probably over there right now :D
By: 14th September 2012 at 08:12 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-No, I'm here, sat at the computer earning enough money to fund my next trip - though there is an outside chance I'll be working there next year.
Camping first.
I have only camped once; this in the municipal site at Dives Sur Mer, to the East of Pegasus Bridge and the remainder of the beaches. As it was D-Day +60 we assumed the place would be packed so literally grabbed the first site we came to. It was fine and inexpensive, but something more central, and there are lots of them, could have been more convenient. However Dives was a great place to relax in the evenings and didn't get too crowded.
Now the tour
My favoured two-day itinerary starts at St Mere Eglise at the extreme West of the beaches where amongst other things I retell the story of John Steele (And more to the point Sgt. John Ray ) which is far more fascinating and courageous than the 'Longest Day' fabrication. Note, the dummy para is in completely the wrong place. The Airborne Forces museum is a must too.
Then to Utah, a chance to stand on the beach and look at the sweep of the coastline, and to realise the tactical importance of capturing the draws. I haven't visited the beach museum since the B26 Marauder moved from Le Bourget, so that will be a must for me next time.
From here Point du Hoc is a must to examine the massive cratering and remember the valiant acts of the US Rangers.
Then down to Omaha to talk about the gallantry of the 'citizen army' and how close the day came to disaster.
From there a short distance takes you to the Omaha Beach / Colleville sur Mer Cimetière - Stunning.
At least a day has gone by now, probably two if you stop to follow all the interesting little diversions that pop up, and visit the specialised micro-museums that are everywhere. A good mention here for the recovered underwater wreck museum - fascinating.
On a trip with the luxury of some time I'd certainly visit the Debarquement Museum at Bayeux, though I normally skip this on the short tours. Also the grim German Cemetery. Dour grey headstones with the occupants packed three or four to each grave. I may be doing the French an injustice, but I often think they take too little care of the place, and I know working parties of young Germans visit their cemeteries every year for a tidy-up.
If you are getting a bit of WW2 overload it is worth a visit to the Bayeux Tapestry - a depiction of debarquement, but in the opposite direction many hundreds of years earlier.
Now we are into the British and Canadian sector - Gold Juno and Sword. I like to visit Port en Bessin and try and reimagine it as Ouisterham which it portrayed in that incredible tracking shot of the Free French troops attacking the Casino. Also one of the PLUTO sites, though there is nothing left to see. Favourite restaurant is here too.
The next 'must' is Arromanches to walk onto the beach and touch a bit of Mulberry Harbour, then visit the town's museum which does a great job of describing the sheer brilliance of the 'bring your own harbour with you' project.
Now you have the coast road drive. Museums, vehicles, blockhouses everywhere.
Eventually you will end up at Pegasus Bridge itself with the Cafe Gondree, Excellent museum and a couple of miles distant the grave of Lt Den Brotheridge - the first British casualty of the day. Merville battery is close now also.
Other than that - and you will surely find much that I haven't highlighted here - eat French. McDonalds isn't an option though they are now everywhere.
Remember that at French cafes and bars they serve you. Don't walk in and stand at the bar, be seated and within the hour somebody will be along to take an order. Plats du Jour are nearly always good value. Asking for the 'menu' gets you a fixed price, good value meal. If you want the printed thing we call the menu then ask for the 'carte'.
"Pression" gets you the less expensive and sometimes tastier draught beer (rather than 'bier' which will mean that frequently you will be served a bottle)
Always, always, always finish the day with Calvados.
Have I missed anything?
Oh yes, I have never taken my bike over so I can't speak for the ferries - sorry.
Moggy
By: 14th September 2012 at 08:47 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-And more to the point Sgt. John Ray...
Was he the paratrooper that ended-up hanging from the bell-tower of the church in St Mere-Eglise?
Thanks for any pointers you give...
I would recommend reading a good book about D-Day before you go; I’ve recently been reading D-Day by the late Stephen E Ambrose. It is a bit American orientated (understandably) but it describes in detail the experiences of the individual soldiers and from that point of view is fascinating.
By: 14th September 2012 at 09:25 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Was he the paratrooper that ended-up hanging from the bell-tower of the church in St Mere-Eglise?
No.
The real story as far as it can be verified through the fog of war was that John Steele landed on the roof of the church on D-Day but not where the model of him is. The actual landing location of John Steele was verified by fellow trooper Ken Russell who also landed on the church, but below Steele.
Steele landed left of the clock face on the North side and Russell landed above the middle window of a section on the North face where he was caught in his parachute. When Russell was trying to cut himself free of his chute he managed to cut the top of his thumb off.
Russell could see paratroopers landing all over the square including his buddy Sgt. John Ray who landed near the church. As soon as Ray landed a German shot him in the chest from close range. The German then turned stepped over Ray and aimed at Russell and Steele who were still hanging helpless in their harnesses.
The dying Ray, who hadn't been killed instantly by the shot could see what was going to happen and as his life ebbed away struggled to pull out his .45 pistol, killing the German, and consequently saving his friends before he died of his wounds.
Ken Russell was meant to be the guest of honour at the 60 anniversary celebrations in Ste Mere Eglise. Sadly he died in his sleep on the anniversary of D-Day at almost the same time the German took aim at him 60 years before.
It is sad that there are restaurants and dummmies and all manner of stuff celebrating Steele as portrayed by Red Buttons in the Longest Day. Ray gets barely a mention, other than on the wall of my friend Elwood's house in the SW corner of the town square.
Moggy
By: 14th September 2012 at 09:44 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-As usual with these things the truth is far more incredible than anything that a scriptwriter could have thought-up.
By: 14th September 2012 at 13:22 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Many thank Moggy, got here eventually!!.. the BEER pointers may be quite an important tip and one i will brush up on for sure. although a lot of history on the surface has been washed away by tide n time i think i will be able to easily imagine the wartime beaches being filled with all manner of sacrifice and tragedy..
be nice if some of the info gleaned here inspires others to make the trip and helps smooth the way.
By: 14th September 2012 at 13:39 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-How these lads got down safely from any jump is a miracle in its self,what with the incoming rounds and kit they carried.
My old mate Jack said he dropped in to Armhem at a higher fate of fall than he'd ever experienced in any of the training jumps.Landing in a heep and breaking his weapon.He did say a kind German fellow donated a rifle shortly after.
By: 14th September 2012 at 14:08 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-The big tragedy over on the west side around St Mere Eglise was sending into the fight C47 pilots with no experience of being shot at.
It is generally agreed that many of these freight-haulers lost it when they started to be fired at by flak and small arms, firewalled the throttles, and chucked the poor sods out of the back at the earliest possible moment. This was at speeds beyond those at which jumping could be safely acheived and over flooded marsh, the sea and the centre of St Mere Eglise which was packed with German troops gathered to fight a fire that had started earlier.
Some of the coolness shown by S/Sergeants Wallwork, Ainsworth, Boland, Hobbs, Barkway, Boyle, Lawrence, Shorter, Pearson, Guthrie, Howard and Baake over at Pegasus would have slashed the dreadful loss of life amongst the 82nd and 101st Airborne.
Moggy
By: 14th September 2012 at 17:32 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Piston rob, id be interested to see any pictures you take, maybe turn this into a normandy thread when you can? i do en-devour to visit some time, but for now, pictures will have to suffice
By: 14th September 2012 at 18:25 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-oooh there will be loads of pictures. i may try and get access to the interweb and post pictures daily if pos???. :D
By: 14th September 2012 at 21:35 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Some of the coolness shown by S/Sergeants Wallwork, Ainsworth, Boland, Hobbs, Barkway, Boyle, Lawrence, Shorter, Pearson, Guthrie, Howard and Baake over at Pegasus...
I suppose they had the added ‘incentive’ that they weren’t going to get back to England that night.....come-what-may! :(
By: 14th September 2012 at 21:53 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Good point, well made :)
Moggy
By: 14th September 2012 at 22:03 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-I'll post the odd picture if you wish?
#1 In the wonderful museum at Pegasus Bridge a recreated Horsa
#2 The headstone to Lt. Den Brotheridge
#3 Cafe Gondree - Pegasus Bridge
#4 The current Pegasus Bridge from the landing site
#5 The original Pegasus Bridge in the museum almost exactly 60 years to the minute from the arrival of the Horsas
#6 For me the most poignant moment of D-Day +60. Maj C Griffiths reunited with his wife at last
Moggy
By: 15th September 2012 at 08:37 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Bunch of Para`s there giving you a look :cool: .. i think my visit may be planned for April time?. give the France time to warm up and open up shop.. its something ive wanted to do for about 15 years but things always get in the way as they do.hopefully not this time.
By: 15th September 2012 at 09:02 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Yes, being the 60th anniversary both the current and contemporary Paras were well represented. It's their home in France after all. We even got to see Major Howard himself.
When I visited earlier this year Arlette Gondree was on the rota to work the following day.
April should be lovely.
Moggy
By: 15th September 2012 at 12:17 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-can I also recommend whilst in the Orne Bridge area, the Merville Battery. Another “Coup de Main” operation, it had the same importance as taking the bridge, I won't explain the detail, but what the airborne achieved with so little often goes without comment.
By: 15th September 2012 at 15:59 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-Merville battery is close now also.
I hadn't forgotten. The site there has recently been extended with a C47 on display if memory serves.
Moggy
By: 15th September 2012 at 19:16 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
-I NOW HAVE MAPS "LOTS OF MAPS" :D
Posts: 865
By: pistonrob - 13th September 2012 at 08:00
Anyone done the trip?..
Im planning a 5 day,ish trip (on a budget,ish) next year on my motorbike and am brushing up on my lingo in a "The Stig" style in my van each time i get in.
Are there any campsites, museums, places to visit that anyone can strongly recommend?. also are there any ferry companys more motorcycle freindly than others???
thanks for any pointers you give :D
....