Normandy 65th

[Barke02]

Hi Planeteers,

I've just got back from a little jaunt over to the Calvados region where they have been celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Normandy landings.

Did anyone else go and join the celebrations?

Here's a couple of photos I took whilst over there:

This one's a reconstruction of Generalleutnant von Schlieben taking the salute at the presentation of the knights cross to Leutnant Arthur Jahnke at Wn.5 (the future Utah beach)..

 

[Barke02]

This one is where Arthur Jahnke was taken prisoner by Brigadier general Theodore Roosevelt at Wn.5.

 

[Barke02]

Here's a reconstruction of Leutnant Bernhard Frerking (1/AR 352) supporting the wounded Leutnat Gras exiting the forward artillery observation bunker at Wn.62 (Omaha).

 

[Barke02]

Here's the parade held in honour of the French troops of No.4 Commando who landed on sword beach (who took the heavily defended casino at Ouisterham...poorly portrayed in 'The Longest day'), and a hardware survivor of Sword beach (a centaur of the Royal Marines) now installed at Pegasus bridge.

 

[Barke02]

Fortunately we arrived before the celebrations started, so could visit places like the cafe Gondree, (the first place to be liberateded on D-Day), in relative peace. The other shot shows the nearby scene after the crowds have descended.

 

[Barke02]

Here's some veterans re-crossing the (new) Pegasus bridge.

 

[Barke02]

One last one..

...a toast atop a bunker in the Canadian sector where we were camping (Juno beach).

Thanks for looking,
Jon.

 

[mil-mart]

Jon , Great pics and interesting thread . Keep meaning to go over and visit the battle sites , perhaps next year.
Thanks for posting.
Cheers Ken

 

[Steve]

Yo Jon--There were Americans there too. A little stretch of paradise called "Omaha". Just sayin'.

 

[John Bowery]

Jon,
Interesting pics and thanks for posting.
Cheers
John