Sgt Eagle's Normandy Trips, my reports Options

[Sgt Eagle]

Sgt Eagle in Normandy
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My NORMANDY holidays
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A Screaming Eagle associate on OMAHA BEACH
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An encounter between the present and the past
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Why Normandy? Why OMAHA beach?
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Since I was a teenager, I've always wanted to visit Normandy because I wanted to see this part of France where so many young American soldiers fought and died on <<D.Day>> 6 June 1944.Since I discovered Normandy in September 2001, I've really got a crush on it, not only because of the historical part of Normandy and WW2 but also because of the real feeling of peace I encountered in the Normandy bocage.I usually stay on a farm at Colleville Sur Mer <<OMAHA BEACH>>, located in the FOX sector of the landing beach, it was in this part of France where the BIG RED ONE or US 1st Infantry division met history on the 6th of June 1944.

LE CLOS TASSIN
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The farm called "Le Clos Tassin" is a family business, hold by Marie Therese and Daniel Picquenard and is at a distance of 10 kilometers of OMAHA BEACH. E-mail www.multimania .com/clostassin

In fact I've chosen this village because of his central situation on the beach landings area and the Contentin peninsula.Facing the sea on OMAHA BEACH, on your left side far on horizon you can see the famous POINTE DU HOC cliffs, I don't have to say that behind the POINTE DU HOC, following the road to CHERBOURG you encounter the area where the 101st Airborne division had his RENDEZ VOUS WITH DESTINY, the UTAH BEACH area.On the right side you can see the entrance of the PORT EN BESSIN harbor, part of the BRITISH beach-landing sector on the 6th of June 1944.

Colleville Sur Mer (Calvados):
====================

Located between SAINTE HONORINE DES PERTES and SAINT LAURENT SUR MER at 3Okm from BAYEUX, COLLEVILLE SUR MER is a picturesque village where live now is warm peaceful and beautiful, it's a farmers community that makes her living from agriculture, CALVADOS and tourism.Even with the modernization, live hasn't changed much since 1944,the citizens are rather calm and friendly hosts who have much respect for those who liberated them almost 60 years ago, no mass culture of the past with souvenirs shops every meter, but silence and peace, the kind of peace the GI's who on D.Day didn't make it found on the there located US Cemetery, their last resting place.

The US Cemetery:
============

Located between the exit of COLLEVILLE SUR MER and the entrance of SAINT LAURENT SUR MER, on the top of the OMAHA BEACH dunes, you find the US Cemetery, last resting place for 9387 US soldiers who died on and in the battles after D.DAY.

The cemetery is a beautiful site where white crosses and trees exchange places filling up a large space between the gardens of the missing, the statue remembering the youth coming from the sea, the ponds of eternal reflection and recollection, the D.DAY chapel and the statues representing France and The United States of America.On the seaside you'll encounter a balcony over viewing the entire OMAHA landing beach and in the middle of this balcony a table with the D.DAY operation map giving the visitors a chance to overview and locate every peace of the beach and the German defensive installations.Every year since 2001, I visit the cemetery and every time the same sensation of pain grows in my hart, thinking about the price of peace and freedom, those young men paid, all those young lives never lived, who stopped in the summer of 1944.

The 1st Infantry Division Monument:
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Overlooking the dune tops, location of the formal German defense site WN62, between the US cemetery and OMAHA beach, you find a white granite obelisk in remembrance of the soldiers of the BIG RED ONE who died on D.DAY taking those dune tops opening the first causeways to freedom. The monument faces FOX red and FOX green the landing area of the US 1st infantry division on top of Wiederstands Nest(WN)62.The same area that inspired Ernest Hemingway to baptize this beach to BLOODY OMAHA, when he wrote about the disaster he found from FOX green to DOG Green (Vierville) OMAHA beach,giving him an awful first impression of his landing beach on D.DAY.As peaceful the site is nowadays as rough it was back in 1944,when over 1000 soldiers lost their lives in the first hours of D.DAY, keeping the paratroopers in mind who died earlier between 5 and 6 June 1944.

The 5th engineers monument:
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Build on the roof of a bunker of Wn62; this smaller monument brings a tribute to the engineers who died in the morning of 6 June 1944.The engineers were honored with the French Croix de Guerre.Sadly, at this moment Colleville Sur Mer hasn't any museum yet, but in the future a project has been made to create a BIG RED ONE museum on the road near the cemetery.You can always visit in the mean time the Wn62 bunker site in the dunes near the beach.When we continue our walk on Omaha beach in the direction of Vierville we encounter Saint Laurent Sur Mer.

Saint Laurent Sur Mer (Calvados):
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Located on the beach part called Easy Red and Green, you find the small village of Saint Laurent sur Mer. Near the beach at the Place du Monument, you find a terrific Hotel, Bar, Restaurant: D.DAY HOUSE. When I'm there I always manage to eat there and the meals are great and not too expensive and the hosts JJ (Jean Jacques) and Florence Gaffie are extraordinary people, everyone is always welcome to enjoy the Bonne Ambiance.

E mail : jj Gaffie@wanadoo.fr

Monument for the 1st and 29th Infantry divisions:


Located on the main beach exit and access at Saint Laurent Sur Mer this huge monument was erected to remember what happened here on D.Day and is also the Omaha Beach 0km signpost marking the Liberty in Europe road.

AQUATINT :
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When you are in front of the Omaha Beach monument on the left side, posted on the seashore wall you'll find a commemorative plate remembering OPERATION AQUATINT.This operation took place on September the 17th 1942,British Royal commandos made a raid on Omaha Beach, before it was even named like this, the target: catch the near Vierville located German beachdefence general commander.The operation failed and major commander March Phillipps and two of his men were killed in action, their graves are located on the Church cemetery in the center of Saint Laurent Sur Mer.

The OMAHA BEACH 6 JUIN 1944 MEMORIAL MUSEUM:
==================================

Following the road coming from the Place du monument, leading to the center of Saint Laurent Sur Mer, you?ll encounter the Omaha Beach 6 juin 1944 Memorial Museum.This museum exhibits several German and American uniforms on mannequins and tells the story of Omaha Beach from the building of the defenses till D.Day . Several weapons and objects of both sides are also exhibited.

A fine museum if you ask me.

You can't miss it because you'll see the US Sherman tank standing at the parking entrance first, followed by a landing craft, the name of the museum and the colors of the OMAHA units also are good visible above the museum entrance. If one day you visit Saint Laurent Sur Mer, stop at the OMAHA BEACH MEMORIAL MUSEUM it's worth to stop and to visit it.

The RUQUET BATTERY:
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Signaled by road signs and following them, you'll encounter the Ruquet battery bunker overlooking the beach and dune area.On the reinforced bunker wall side there's a monument to the men who fought and died wearing the colors of the 2nd US Infantry division.This bunker was once used as HQ by the 2nd Infantry division and the Engineers.The PAK 44 gun that did many damages on D.Day is still present in his emplacement.

VIERVILLE SUR MER:

==============

Going to Vierville Sur Mer, you enter DOG sector, the sector where Spielberg starts D.Day in Saving Private Ryan.When you stand on the beach facing Vierville, you soon understand why Omaha was so bloody.Facing us, the PAK 88 gun bunker assures we can figure it out, understanding that in Colleville an other PAK 88 bunker was standing in our back and keeping in mind the fact both guns could reach Saint Laurent, not talking about the many hidden MG nests and bunkers in the hills and the camouflaged bunkers looking like houses and even hidden in a real hotel/casino in Vierville, we can understand that the first waves landing on Omaha beach didn't have a chance.The PAK 88 bunker nowadays has become a US National monument to the brave US soldiers who faced the German enemy and pulled trough to liberate Europe.In the back of the monument you'll see the cliffs of the Pointe de la Perc?e, the 5th Ranger division had to take on D.Day, to eliminate the radar station located there.Facing the monument you'll find in the cliff wall on your left a plate remembering the emplacement of the anti tank wall the US 29th Infantry division destroyed opening the road to Isigny and Grandcamp Maisy.Following this road on the right side you'll encounter l'hotel Du Casino, rebuild in his original state in the 50's.On the wall following the casino hotel you'll find a commemorative plate to the Rangers.



On a green space in the middle of the road a monument too the 29th Infantry division was erected followed by a monument to the engineers.On the top of the road leading to the center of Vierville to the left and to Isigny on the right you'll encounter when you're heading toward Isigny the small castle that served as HQ to the harbor command of Mulberry A once located at Omaha beach but destroyed by a storm before it was totally finished not even a month after D.Day.

THE OMAHA D.DAY MUSEUM:
= ==================

On the same road on the right side, when you're heading towards Isigny you'll find, located in an ancient US ARMY depot the D.Day Omaha museum.The museum shows the uniforms on both sides present in this section of Omaha beach the uniforms of both Air forces are also present and even a diorama of the church of Ste M?re Eglise.The museum director is a passionate man, who wants with friends, to rebuild a part of mulberry a, and the museum is worth to visit and also very complete, like all the Normandy museums.


Following the road near the Vierville museum we are heading towards Gradcamp-Maisy and the nearby situated Ranger sites, The Pointe de la Perc?e and the Pointe du Hoc, I followed this road on foot, it took an hour and half to get there, in war time it took the reinforcements 2 full days of hard combat to join the Rangers stuck on the Pointe du Hoc. (Follow D514 towards Isigny and Cherbourg).



1) LA POINTE et RAZ de la PERCEE :

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On the Pointe de la Percee military intelligence had signaled the presence of a radar station, the 5th Rangers Bn was ordered to take this place and to join the 2nd Rangers Bn at the Pointe du Hoc, after several hours of combat on OMAHA beach la Perc?e was taken and at 13.00 hours the 5th Rangers Bn begun marching on between the enemy lines for 8 kilometers that 6th June 1944 nobody knew that it would take an other 48 hours before the 2nd Rangers Bn would be relieved even has the 5th Rangers Bn putted down a D-Day record reaching the Pointe du Hoc area at 21.00 hrs . On the Pointe de la Perc?e nowadays nothing remembers the presence of the radar station, and the battle that took place in this area, nature took this site back.



We continue our road heading towards Grandcamp-Maisy.



2) LA POINTE DU HOC:

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Situated between the Point de la Percee and Grandcamp-Maisy, we reach the Pointe du Hoc, but what is the Pointe du Hoc?



Short history:

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Back in 1943 military intelligence spotted by air-reconnaissance the Pointe du Hoc and her dangerous looking battery .If the information was right those guns could hit Omaha beach and slaughter the troops landing there, regular air-raid shelling had now results the battery appeared to stay intact - what intelligence didn't now was that the air-raid shelling had their results, the Germans had moved the guns land inwards-so the site had to be taken by sea, Colonel James Rudder and the 2nd US Rangers Bn were assigned to bring this task to a good end and they did , they took the Pointe du Hoc ,resembling at a lunar landscape ,climbing up the cliffs coming from the seashore and finding no real but fake guns emplaced in their bunkers.

Casualties were heavy the 2nd Rangers Bn lost 81 members taking this site and when holding it for 48 hours, they were reduced to 50 combat able Rangers, starting the assault with 225 Rangers.

The Pointe nowadays:

===============

The Pointe du Hoc nowadays is a place of remembrance, it's still a lunar landscape and the bunkers are still empty, on the parking tourist can admire the fake guns which replaced the real guns.

On the observation and artillery directing post bunker a monument to Colonel Rudder and the 2nd Rangers Bn was installed to remember what they did on the 6th of June 1944.

The Pointe du Hoc is worth the stop.



Leaving the Pointe du Hoc we are now heading towards Isigny and:



GRANDCAMP MAISY:

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Continuing on the road coming from the Pointe du Hoc and heading to Carentan -Cherbourg at a distance of exactly 2,5 km from the Pointe, you'll encounter the small fishers harbor village named Grandcamp Maisy.

Before entering the village you'll encounter a roundabout with in the center of it a monument dedicated to Sgt Peregory of the National Guards .The huge marble stone has the heroic story of Sgt Peregory a Medal of Honor recipient, buried on the Colleville cemetery, in scripted on it.

Reaching the center of Grandcamp-Maisy, we encounter the port estuary, this port was also guarded by the Germans back in 1944, at each side of the port entrance two pillboxes where placed to protect the port for a possible invasion, that never came, Grandcamp was taken by land, by the Rangers.


French crews bombers monument
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This monument commemorates the engagement of the Heavy French crews bombardment groups on 6 June 1944, and their action, night and day, in German industry destruction.
Situation : facing the port

In the Port area you'll find some nice little fish restaurants and Norman fishermen Pubs with possibilities for local snacks.


Going to the seashore on the dike you'll encounter the Musee des Rangers where you can visit a small exhibition on the Rangers who landed on OMAHA Beach and on the Pointe du Hoc.


Rangers museum
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This museum recalls the history of top rank american Rangers unit, who assaulted La pointe du Hoc on the D-Day. Uniforms and equipments revive action of the american Rangers.
Address and telephone : 30 Crampon quay - 14450 Grandcamp-Maisy
Tel : 02 31 92 33 51 (on the waterfront, follow the road-sign)


On the dike you can take a Belgian beer in one of the local seashore pubs.


We continue our road, passing Isigny and heading towards the by Airborne soldiers well known village of:



SAINTE-MERE-EGLISE:

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Now we're heading towards Ste-Mère-Eglise, following the same road direction Isigny -Carentan-Cherbourg, has you'll see to visit Ste-Mère-Eglise, you'll first pass Carentan and Ste Marie du Mont on the road to Cherbourg.

Ste-Mère-Eglise has become famous with on D-Day not because it was one of the head goals of the 82nd Airborne division, but because of one man Pvt John Steele who's parachute was hooked on the church tower during the dramatic mislanding in the center of Ste-Mère-Eglise, from this position the poor private saw how the Germans killed the members of his stick, during that night from 5 to 6 June 1944.


Parachutists stained glass windows
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In Sainte-Mère-Eglise church, two stained glass windows commemorate liberation of the town on 6 June 1944, by the 82nd Airborne para-chutists. A dummy hangs up on the bell tower and remembers the story of American parachutist John Steele.
Situation : in front of the town hall

John Steele died in the sixties, but a mannequin hooked on the church tower remembers us his adventure.


82nd Aiborne plate
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Sainte-Mère-Eglise
This plate is dedicated to four parachutists, of the 505th Parachutist infantry regiment company C, killed there on 6 June 1944.
Situation : in the town center, Cayenne street

On the site where was located the burning house we see in the Longest Day, you'll encounter the US AIRBORNE Museum this museum houses a C-47 Dakota and an Horsa glider straight out this period.


Airborne troops museum
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The museum is located in a large park, it is composed of two buildings. The first one, in parachute shape, shelters a glider, many weapons and equipment; one can view a film recalling the fightings from 5 to 6 June 1944. The second building presents a transport aircraft Douglas C47, uniforms and historic objects. Outside a Sherman tank is exposed.
Address and telephone : 14, Eisenhower street - 50480 Sainte-Mère-?glise - Tel : 02 33 41 41 35

You'll also find many materials, photographs and uniforms telling us the story of the paratroopers and the D-Day droppings.

A visit you can't miss.


Sainte-Mère-Eglise road sign VOIE DE LA LIBERTEE 0 Km
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This 0 kilometer borne is the beginning of the Freedom way, it commemorates Sainte-Mère-Eglise as the first city liberated in Europe on 5 and 6 June 1944.
Situation : in front of the town hall



Back in 44 a temporary cemetery was erected here in Ste-Mère-Eglise, the troopers who were buried here are now mostly buried at the Colleville cemetery or in the USA a commemorative plate remembers the presence of this cemetery back then.

American cemeteries monuments situated in and round Sainte-Mère-Eglise
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Three monuments indicate temporary cemeteries established around Sainte-Mère-Eglise from 1944 to 1948.
Situation : the cemetery nr 1 in the town center near the sports ground, the cemetery nr2 at the town exit, on Chef-du-Pont road, the cemetery nr3 south of Sainte-Mère-Eglise, on the D70 road, crossroads near the motorway

In the area of the village you'll still find graveyards who will never carry crosses, the Merderet Swamps were many troopers encountered death, drowning in the swamps because General Feldmarchal Rommel ordered the overflow of the Merderet river by enabling the river locks.


Sainte-Mère-Eglise BORNE DE LA LIBERTEE
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This monument commemorates the liberation of Sainte-Mère-Eglise on 6 June 1944, by the 82nd and the 101st American parachutist divisions.
Situation : on the main place


THE SHERMAN TANK
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The American Sherman tank M4 made up the main equipment of the Allied armoured divisions; it was armed with a 75 mm gun, it was steered by a four men team.
Situation : in the park of Airborne troops museum


STELE TO THE 505th
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This stele commemorates the action of the 505th Parachute regiment of the 82nd Airborne who liberated Sainte-Mère-Eglise, on 6 June 1944 at 4:30 a. m..
Situation : at the southern gate of the town


Sainte-Mère-Eglise LIBERATORS STELE
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This stele honors Generals Ridgway and Gavin, and all the liberators of Sainte-Mère-Eglise.
Situation : in front of the town hall

La Londe AIRFIELD STELE
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This stele indicates the establishment of an airfield, used from 12 June to 26 July 1944, and built by the 552nd AAA AW battallion, commanded by colonel Benjamin M. Warfield.
Situation : 2 km away from Sainte-Mère-Eglise, on the D17 road toward Beuzeville-au-Plain



MORE ON NEXT VISIT !!!!


CURRAHEE !!!!!!


MARK W /BELGIUM


[/QUOTE]"From this day to the ending of the World, ...we in it shall be remembered... we band of brothers" Henry V William Shakespear.[QUOTE]

[homefront41]

This is an excellent writeup, Mark. I'm going to print it and add to my Normandy trip file. Thanks! BK

[birdman]

Indeed an excellent overview of significant places in Normandy. If I ever go touring there, I'll make a print of it beforehand as well.

Thanks Mark,

Wouter

[Max (UK)]

Good work covering the American side of the invasion.

Are you interested in the Canadian and British involvement, Eagle?

This post has been edited by Max (UK): Apr 12 2004, 10:00 AM

[Sgt Eagle]

YES


I'm planning to write it all down without any exception , I visited the Gold, Juno, Sword sectors ,it's just a matter of time ... between my shifts I decript my notes look over my maps again ... maybe you're going to say why didn't you cover those D-Day sites in first , well I started with the US sector first because I pass my hollidays there near Omaha beach and I've wroten down already these notes because some US friends asked me , friends I've met via the Screaming Eagle association in wich I'm a member , but no worries mate It's all coming give me time ....


Tally Hoo !!!!!!

Currahee !!!!!!

"From this day till the ending of the world,...we in it shall be remembered,...we Band of Brothers " Henry V  William Shakespear

[Sgt Eagle]

HERE IT IS !!!!
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Sgt Eagle in Normandy
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My NORMANDY holidays
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A Screaming Eagle associate on OMAHA BEACH
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An encounter between the present and the past
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UTAH BEACH - Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
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On The road again , we follow the main road to Cherbourg again to the well known little town of Ste-Marie-du-Mont .
This town was the main objectif of the 101st Airborne divisions landings and naturaly of the 506th PIR .
But first we have to mention this correction , when we went to Ste-Mère -Eglise we past three important French towns and important places in like ISIGNY and Carentan , Carentan well I'll speak of it later on but Isigny has a small part here .

Isigny -Sur-Mer
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Isigny is actualy more known for his cheese than for the 2nd WW , but we've to mention that this was the last village that had to be taken back in june 1944 to make to junction at Carentan between the troops of the Utah Sector and those of the Omaha sector .
A fierce infantry battle between the Bocage hedgerows took place there and a War memorial was erased to remember that .

When you are at Isigny you're at 15 -20 minutes from La Cambe ,

La Cambe
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Here you'll encounter the sober but impressif German cemetery , the dark crosses are very impressif , the cemetery is worth the stop , I can't discribe the feeling i've got when i visited it , so I can only say one thing , pass by stop and visit it !

We hit the road again and drive or walk towards Carentan....


Carentan
======
Carentan , well known from Band of Brothers as the 3rd episode wares the name of this town , Carentan was the town that had to be token back in 44 to able the lincking between the Omaha and Utah troops , the Germans knew this to and defended the area fiercely , but finaly after hard edgerow battles the Town was token, liberated and the link was made .
Carentan has a WWII memorial remebering the battle that took place and the presence of all the US -troops who fought the battle .
the Town patrimonium is impressif with her old Roman-Gothique buildings , it's such apitty that for exemption of the monument , nothing remebers us the hard battle that took place here .
One quote , from Carentan of the road that we are following since Colleville-sur-Mer , has become The Liberty Highway .

From Carentan we follow this road towards Ste-Come-du-Mont and at Ste-Come-du-Mont we turn towards ...

STE-MARIE-DU-MONT :
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SAINTE-MARIE-DU-MONT (Manche - 10 km north of Carentan)

town, Manche département, Basse-Normandie région, on the Cotentin peninsula of northwestern France. It is situated 6 miles (10 kilometres) north of Carentan some 3 miles inland of La Madeleine, an area of sand dunes on the English Channel coast. At the southernmost end of Utah Beach, La Madeleine was one of the first areas to be assaulted by seaborne forces on D-Day (June 6, 1944) during World War II. Saint-Marie-du-Mont lay at the end of a long causeway linking the beach to higher ground and was therefore a principal objective of paratroopers of the U.S. 101st Airborne Division.

The village of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont was liberated in the morning of June 6th 1944 by the paratroops of the 101st Airborne Division.

A dozen panels on the walls of houses around the church square give anecdotal accounts of that momentous night’s events. The texts were written by Gilles Perrault, a historian who lives in the commune.

Short Fact story of D-Day
------------------------------
In the night of 6 June 1944, the American parachutists of the 101st Airborne division drop on the Norman ground. The units are widely scattered, lowering their combat strength. The parachutists are sometimes killed before fighting, like the 3rd battalion of the 506th regiment whose commander, lieutenant colonel Wolverton, and many parachutists are shot down by the German machine-guns and mortars. But the Germans seem confused and their reaction is slow and uncertain. Units of the 506th regiment destroy several guns around Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, they drive out the Germans and secure the area moving toward the coast; they make the junction with the 90th Infantry division that landed on Utah Beach.

What can you see in Ste-Marie-du-Mont ?
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Liberation plates
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You can walk around the church and in the streets, reading the plates fixed on the houses walls, that tell the liberation of Sainte-Maie-du-Mont on 6 June 1944.
Situation : around the church place.

Danish sailors monument
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This monument is dedicated to the 800 Danish sailors who landed in Normandy on the D-Day on 6 June 1944.
Situation : on the D913 road, at the exit of the town toward Utah Beach.

Brécourt Manor :
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Brécourt Manor enjoys an isolated position in a narrow lane not far from the hamlet of Le Grand Chemin and just a few kms from the village of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. Now a working farm, Brécourt was of strategic importance during WW2 as the Germans had installed a battery of four 105mm canon in the field opposite. These guns had been dug into the hedgerows and well camouflaged. An extensive trench system interconnected each of the guns and a telephone line allowed communication with a forward observation post on causeway no.2 at Utah Beach. A fifty strong German platoon manned the canon that began firing towards Utah Beach on D-Day posing a serious threat to the landings.

During a three- hour long battle just 12 men of E-Company of the 101st American Airborne captured and destroyed the guns. This had been the first mission assigned to the famous "Band of Brothers". The canon were destroyed one by one and the remaining Germans fled to the stronghold of the manor house. With the assistance of four Sherman tanks the Americans secured Brécourt Manor by mid afternoon on June 6th. Today, no traces remain of the canon and trenches at Brécourt. The manor's present owner is a director of the Musée du Débarquement at Utah Beach. The property is not open to the public but, if you wish to drive by, it can be reached by following the D 14 from Sainte-Marie-du-Mont to Ravenoville and turning left at the crossroads just before the garage situated on the right-hand side of the road. A map outside the tourism office in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont shows the position of Brécourt Manor.

La Madeleine
=========
If Sainte-Marie-du-Mont has entered the history books, it is first and foremost because of its beach, La Madeleine, some five kilometres from the village itself and universally known today by its codename Utah Beach.
It was on the beach of La Madeleine, a few kilometres from Sainte-Marie-du-Mont itself, that the landing of the American troops took place.

remark : in fact La Madeleine and Ste-Marie-du-mont are actualy one .

UTAH BEACH : Brief History
--------------------------------
"Utah" was the code name for the farthest beach on the right of the five landing areas of the Normandy Invasion. Located on the eastern shore of the base of the Cotentin Peninsula, it was a late addition to the areas scheduled for invasion. The original Overlord plan did not call for a landing on the Cotentin, but General Dwight D. Eisenhower, supreme commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces, added it to ensure an early capture of the port of Cherbourg at the northern tip of the peninsula.
Around the Utah Beach Museum, numerous monuments have been erected to the glory of the various units which took part in the Landings.
Did you know?
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
Troops of the U.S. 4th Division were lead on to the shores of Utah Beach by Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (son of the president) even though the tide had swept them south of the intended landing point. This wise decision earned him the Medal of Honor. Luckily this area of the beach was lightly defended, much more than the planned landing point. American troops were swiftly ashore followed by their amphibious tanks. Brigadier General Roosevelt walked up and down the beach with his cane in hand exhorting troops to get up and push inland. By the end of D-Day, 23,250 men and 1,700 vehicles came ashore with only about 210 casualties.

What to visit ?
=========
LIBERTY WAY
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The Liberty Way marks the route of the American liberation of France and Belgium, and one part of it starts here at Utah Beach. To mark this, a Liberty Way stone with the legend "OO KM" is sited here. The end of the Liberty Way is at Bastogne, where the Battle of the Bulge was fought.

UTAH BEACH MUSEUM
--------------------------


The museum, opened in 1962, offers a splendid account of all the events that took place here on 6 June 1944 and immediately thereafter. It is built into and around German Blockhouse W5 and on entering there is a sequence of events to be followed.
In addition there are several vehicles, and a complete German concrete Tobruk pit you can go into.
A visit takes approximately one hour.

The museum is open at the following times:

High Season: June to September 09.30 - 19.00 every day, without interrruption.
Mid-Season: April, May & October 10.00-12.00 & 14.00-18.00.
Low-Season: November - March, weekends only plus school holidays and national holidays, 10.00-12.00 & 14.00-17.30.

Tel: 03 33 71 53 35.

LE ROOSEVELT CAFE, UTAH BEACH
-----------------------------------------
Located close to the museum, this excellent little cafe has its own fine collection of D Day relics, as well as being a good place to get drinks, snacks and lunches. There is a well stocked shop, and also Internet facilities where you can pick up your email and surf the net.

Le Roosevelt Cafe, Utah Beach, 50480 Sainte Marie du Mont, France.
Tel: 03 33 71 53 47.
Web: http://www.le-roosevelt.com/
Email: restaurant.le.roosevelt@wanadoo.fr

Utah Beach American Memorial :
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The World War II Utah Beach American Memorial is located at the termination of Highway N-13D, approximately a mile and a half northeast of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont (Manche), France. This monument commemorates the achievements of the American Forces of the VII Corps who landed and fought in the liberation of the Cotentin Peninsula from June 6, 1944 to July 1, 1944.
It consists of a red granite obelisk surrounded by a small developed park overlooking the historic sand dunes of Utah Beach, one of the two American landing beaches during the Normandy Invasion of June 6, 1944.

American amphibious vehicle LVT4
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This amphibious vehicle was equiped with a rear loading ramp; it was armed with four machine guns and could transport a jeep. More than 8000 vehicles were manufactured.
Situation : facing Utah beach museum

00 Freedom post of stone
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This Freedom post of stone was erected in 1947, it connects La Madeleine to Bastogne, 1 142 kilometers away.
Situation : facing Utah beach museum

American tank Sherman M4
--------------------------------
The American tank Sherman M4 made up the main equipment of the Allied armoured divisions; it was armed with a 75 mm gun, it was steered by a four men team.
Situation : facing Utah beach museum

Way Eisenhower stele
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This stele honors general Dwight David Eisenhower, Allied Force Chief commander on 6 June 1944. D. D. Eisenhower was president of the United-States from 1952 to 1961.
Situation : left of Utah beach museum

1st Engineer Special brigade monument
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This monument was inaugurated on 6 June 1945 by colonel Caffey, Commander of the 1st Engineer Special brigade.
Situation : 200 meters left of Utah beach museum, on blockhouse

90th Infantry division monument
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This monument is in memory of the 90th American infantry division soldiers; this monument was inaugurated in 1974 by General Landrum, who commanded the division in 1944.
Situation : 200 meters left of Utah beach museum

4th Infantry division monument
-------------------------------------
This monument was inaugurated in 1964 by General Bradley, it honors the 4th American infantry division soldiers.
Situation : facing Utah beach museum

Coast Guard plate
----------------------
This plate is dedicated to the United States Coast Guard forces which took part in the Normandy Landing, and to all the United States Coast Guard forces who served in the world, on ground, on sea and in air during the Second World War. The motto of the United States Coast Guard is "always ready".
Situation : 200 meters left of Utah beach museum, on a blockhouse.

Anniversary stele
---------------------
This stele commemorates 6 June 1984 Anniversary. The French president F. Mitterand invited all heads of states of countries engaged in the Second World War, to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Normandy Landing.
Situation : 100 meters left of Utah beach museum, access to beach

Rowe road panel
---------------------
This panel is in memory of Private J. T. Rowe of the 531st Engineer Shore regiment, who was killed in the fightings of 6 June 1944.
Situation : facing Utah beach museum

USNR stele
--------------
This stele is in memory of United States Naval Reserve veterans dead on Utah Beach on 6 June 1944.
Situation : 300 m right of Landing museum, Angelos T. Chatas place

American soldiers plate - General Caffey crypt
------------------------------------------------------
This plate is in memory of the United States soldiers who died for the liberation of France on 6 June 1944. In the blockhaus a room was settled down iin remembrance of the 1st Engineer Special brigade, commanded by general Caffey (open during commemorations and in summer)
Situation : 200 meters left of Utah beach museum

When you follow the beach towards your right side facing the museum , your going to encounter the dunes of Varreville .....

END OF THIS PART

Next : THE VARREVILLE DUNES -Cherbourg

This post has been edited by Sgt Eagle: Apr 15 2004, 05:26 PM

[homefront41]

Sgt Eagle, This is really excellent material. A great contribution for those of us who will one day be making this trip. Thanks very much. Well done! BK

[Sgt Eagle]

And it's not finished yet ... Our British mates are waiting for their part and I'm running out of time because I've some workmates who already asked me in May to go with them as Normandy guide ,to me It's a passion a part of my life and I know already now that one day I'll be going to live over there , to continue to pass on the story of those many young men who fought the second World War (IMG:http://forums.wildbillguarnere.com/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

I will continue this wrote down guide , for all of you


Mark W/Belgium

" From this day till the ending of the world,...we in it shall be remembered,...we Band Of Brothers " Henry v-W.Shakespear

[Wilibrord]

Man, you make me proud to be a belgian. Excellent stuff!

[usa_nurse]

Sgt Eagle. Thank you so much for the excellent information. Very Interesting. I will save it for my trip I hope to take ver soon. Thanks again!!

[shayloco]

Very infomative, I hope to make a trip there... someday.

[Sgt Eagle]

Once again I found the time !

Here's Part 3 (IMG:http://forums.wildbillguarnere.com/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Sgt Eagle in Normandy
===============
My NORMANDY holidays
================
A Screaming Eagle associate on OMAHA BEACH
===============================
An encounter between the present and the past:
===============================

We're hitting the road , the liberty highway towards first , Ste- Mère- Eglise , near this town we take the D15 towards :

LA FIERE: (Manche - 3 km west of Sainte-Mère-Eglise):
======
The bridge of La Fière, lock of Cotentin peninsula
In the night of 5-6 June 1944, the 505th Parachutist Infantry regiment of the 82th Airborne jumps on the DZ O near Sainte-Mère-Eglise. A group moves towards one of the objectives : hamlet of La Fière, where they have to capture a bridge across river Merderet. The Germans, entrenched in the manor of La Fière, push back the Americans who lack in heavy weapons. Around 11 a. m., general Ridgway gives order to colonel Lindquist, commander of the 508th regiment, to carry out a massive assault, finally the manor is taken and the paras establish the defence of the bridge. At 5:30 p. m. the Germans react and counter attack with tanks and infantry. The Americans destroy several Renault tanks, the enemy breaks off. In the morning of 7 June the Germans renew the attack after an artillery preparation. The paras of the 1st battalion of the 505th regiment, under captain Dolan, undergo heavy losses but they defend to ground their positions.

What to visit ?:
-----------------
The American parachutists monument:
********************************
This monument is in memory of American parachutists who dropped in Normandy on D Day, 6 June 1944.
Situation : 4 km west from Sainte-Mère-Eglise, close to La Fière manor, near D15 road (follow the road-sign)

We continue to follow the D15 towards Ravenoville en follow theD421 and Normandy D-Day roadsigns towards the :

THE VARVILLE DUNES:
===============

On 6 June 1944, the 4th American Infantry division lands in Normandy on Utah Beach, 2.5 km farther south than expected. An under estimation of the strong tidal current is the main cause for this error, a fortunate one since the zone is at limit range of Azeville and Saint-Marcouf batteries, and the shore defenses are less strong there. Shelled and isolated, the German positions undergo the assault of the first American assault wave at 6:40 a. m., then the attack of the amphibious tanks. One hour later the beach is cleaned by the engineers and the Americans penetrate in the interior, a battalion moves westward in order to make the junction with the parachutists. Northward, along the coast, they neutralize several strongpoints and go through Les Dunes de Varreville.

What Can you see in the Dune area ?
--------------------------------------------

The 2nd Armoured Division Landing monument
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
This monument commemorates the landing of the Allied armies on 6 June 1944, and of the 2nd Armoured division commanded by General Leclerc.

Situation : near the D421 road (follow the road-sign)

An American Half-track M3
***********************
This armoured half-tracked vehicle was the American standard vehicle; more than 40 000 vehicles were built, it was originally a troops transport but it knew a lot of versions.
Situation : beside the Landing monument

An Armoured vehicle M8
********************
This light armoured vehicle was adapted to all grounds, it was armed with a 37 mm gun and a machine gun, its crew was of 4 men. 12 000 vehicles were manufactured until 1945.
The vehicule is becoming severly damaged by corrosion , the chassis is badly hurt by it , but the good news is that the local authoroties are going to rechape it .
Situation : beside the Landing monument

The 2nd Armoured division steles
****************************
These steles commemorate General Leclerc division campaigns, and all its units.
Situation : beside the Landing monument

From here on we hit the road again , towards Cherbourg , the Allied main objectif , a Port (follow the D420) .

But first we make a stop in Azeville to visit:

THE AZEVILLE BATTERY
===============
Short history :
-----------------
Located on the east coast of Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy, this battery includes a 170 men garrison. On 6 June 1944, it’s unsuccessful in repulsing the Allied forces landing on Utah Beach; indeed, its guns are at their maximal range. In the evening of 7 June, the 4th American Infantry division is pinned down by the German casemates of Azeville and Saint-Marcouf. On 8 June the battery of Azeville opens fire on Crisbecq position close to Saint-Marcouf, at the request of his commander, to dislodge the Americans infiltrated in its defenses. But encircled soon, bombarded, then attacked with flame thrower, the battery of Azeville falls on 9 June.

AZEVILLE (Manche - 10 km south-east of Valognes)

We visit the battery :
*****************
Azeville battery
+++++++++=
This position was held by 170 german gunners. It consisted of a dozen casemates, including four blockhouses armed with 105 mm guns; moreover it was equipped of a factory shelter, of many underground rooms and ammunition storages.

Situation : at the northern exit of the town on the D420 road (follow road-sign)

The Battery museum
___________________
One can view the underground shelters of the battery, several blockhouses communicate with underground passages. The visit is three quarter of an hour long, a film about the Atlantic Wall is projected.

Situation : the entrance of the museum is in a blockhouse of the battery

We hit the D420 again next stop :

QUINEVILLE: (Manche - 15 km east of Valognes)
========
The hard progression of 4th American division
After the cutting of the Cotentin Peninsula on 18 June 1944, the Americans launch offensives northward to take Cherbourg strategic harbor. On the eastern flank, between Montebourg and the coast, General Barton’s 4th Infantry division meets serious resistance along the coast in the flooded fields. South of Quinéville the Americans are hindered by a solid obstacle : the coastal battery of Crisbecq, near Saint-Marcouf; it sinks several American ships before being evacuated. Quinéville, an important german sector headquarters, and a heavy fortified strongpoint, fall two days later.

What to visit there ?
=============

The Freedom museum
*******************
This museum recalls the French people daily life during the German occupation until the Liberation. A French town street during the German occupation is reconstituted life size, the scenery and costumed dummies restore the tragic atmosphere of the time.

Address and telephone : 18, Beach street 50310 Quinéville
Tel : 02 33 21 40 44 (on the waterfront, follow the road-sign)

We hit the Liberty Highway again , we pass Valognes to our last stop :

CHERBOURG:
=========
History : What happened here ?
------------------------------------
The surrender of General von Schlieben's fortress
*****************************************
When American General Collins arrives in front of Cherbourg fortress on 21 June 1944, General von Schlieben commanding the "Festung" does not answer to the ultimatum. Von Schlieben is ordered by the Führer to hold the position firmly to the last of the 21,000 garrison men. The Fort du Roule, built on the cliff overlooking the harbor, is seized by the 314th Infantry regiment; on 25 June the top of the Fort is taken, and the following day the lower storeys and the battery of 105 mm guns are captured. On 26 June General Von Schlieben surrenders; but during a week the Germans have ruined, destroyed and mined the harbor. Cherbourg is the key of the Allied forces supplying, in the end of August the harbor is operational again.

What to visit :
°°°°°°°°°°°°°
The Liberation Museum
---------------------------
This museum is located in a French Second Empire fort, at the top of the Montagne du Roule. No arm, nor uniform are presented in this museum which recalls, through expositions, the years of german occupation and the D-Day.

Address and telephone : Fort du Roule - 50100 Cherbourg
Tel : 02 33 23 02 23

Situated nearby the port :
------------------------------
The Sergeant Finley plaque
***********************
This plaque is in memory of sergeant William Finley of 9th American Infantry division, first soldier to step into the city hall on 26 June 1944. He was killed on 1st April 1945, he was 20 years old.
Situation : in front of city hall (follow the D901)


That's all for the US sector Folks (IMG:http://forums.wildbillguarnere.com/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Next : Passing Sainte Honorine des Pertes , coming from Omaha Beach we enter the British Sector at Port-en-Bessin


Sgt Eagle /Mark W/Belgium

[usa_nurse]

Sgt Eagle- thanks for sharing. How did you have time to see all of that? Wow-- Maybe you should make a book for people to use--

[Sgt Eagle]

I travel in Normandy since 4 years, and plan all my excursions and once I'm there i correct my notes so later I can share them with friends , I'm a good scrounger, so I allways find an Amercan, Belgian or British friend to share the car or I think I didn't tell it yet ....Marie Thérèse ,My host in Normandy makes publicity for my knowledge and I go with tourists as her guide ...for free (a receive a free meal) and they allways bring me back at the farm because they stay for several days in Colleville -Sur-Mer , my host considers me as apart of the family and is happy as larry when I come back every September since 4 years (IMG:http://forums.wildbillguarnere.com/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

And what about a book ? well I'm working on a second website with those same travel notes and pictures in the future .....NORMANDY -D-DAY it's my passion .

The site under construction , i'll give a sign when ready :

http://www.freewebs.com/sgt_eagle_s_scrapbook/


Currahee !!!!!!


Mark W/Belgium

Sgt Scrounger (IMG:http://forums.wildbillguarnere.com/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) Eagle

[Sgt Eagle]

GREAT NEWS FOLKS , THE SCREAMING EAGLE MAGAZINE PUBLISHED THE FIRST PART OF MY NORMANDY HOLLIDAYS ROADBOOK !!!!!!!!!!!!


I FEEL GOOD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Currahee !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Sgt Eagle /Mark W/Belgium