Normandy

My father always told me to be grateful for what the allies did in the Second World War: the liberation from the Germans and bringers of a lasting peace in Europe.

When my son started playing the computer game Call of Duty, with a seemingly realistic portrait of the invasion of Normandy at June 6 1944, he started asking questions about it. With the books of my father at hand, I cultivated his interest to the max, joined him in playing, and eventually made a plan to visit the invasion beaches in order to see the real thing.

Impressive, interesting, exciting, but also relaxing and thankfull that we live in peace and prosperty...

beach near Ouistreham, close to Caen		museums everywhere..!
remainder of the artificial harbour, Arromanche		remainder of the artificial harbour, Arromanches
"mort pour la Patrie" - died for the fatherland - a statue like this is present in almost every French village, erected after the first world war		the famous church in Sainte Mere Eglise, made famous by Cornelius Ryan's novel "The longest day". Parachute included..
entrance to American cemetery		some rangers made it just 20 metres inland, only to be buried here, 40 metres inland...
...worthy, impressive, not only for the large number of casualties but also for the young ages of the fallen rangers...		with the sea visible through the trees, this place ought to be visited by every youngster...
I wondered how the German graveyard would look like, and who would visit these...		...well, very plain...
..but buses of every nationality stopped here as well...		... an anonymous soldier shareing this grave with a named soldier...
Everywhere in the world, British cemeteries are easily recognizible since they all use the same style. Sober, yet very worthy.		Again, many young lads, teenagers sometimes...

what can I say? Eternal Gratitude, you gave your life for my freedom...

back to France page

back to Europe page