D-Day Landing Beaches

D-Day Landing Beaches

Introduction D-Day took place on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 and was the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II. Today, the D-Day landing beaches are a key visitor attraction for those wanting to pay their respects. The events were the start of the liberation of German-occupied France from Nazi control. They laid the foundations…

British Memorial On Sword Beach
|

British Memorial On Sword Beach

There are a number of memorials on Sword Beach stretching from Ouistreham in the East to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer in the West. This British memorial on Sword Beach is dedicated to the following commando units of the 1st Special Service Brigade: No. 3 Commando – Lieutenant Colonel Peter YoungNo. 4 Commando – Lieutenant Colonel Robert Dawson177 French…

The Normandy Airborne Museum
|

The Normandy Airborne Museum

The Museum The Normandy Airborne Museum is located in Sainte-Mère-Église’s square just opposite the church. An effigy of American paratrooper John Steele hangs on the church spire. The museum pays tribute to the paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Division. The paratroopers landed in Sainte-Mère-Église on the night of the 5th June and into…

La Pointe du Hoc – A D-Day Sacrifice
|

La Pointe du Hoc – A D-Day Sacrifice

La Pointe du Hoc is a headland in Saint-Pierre-du-Mont in the Calvados region of Normandy. It’s set between Omaha and Utah beaches and was a German fortified stronghold protecting 6 artillery guns (155mm) during WW2. Men from the United States 2nd Ranger Battalion were tasked with scaling the 100ft cliffs, disarming the guns and advancing…