Normandy - D-Day
By David Arnaud on Sep 17 2007, 19:54 - News - Permalink
During a recent trip to Normandy I took the opportunity to visit the D-Day beaches. Let's NOT talk about kayaking for a change...
Omaha, Sword, Juno... These names have been made famous thanks to the numerous movies and books describing these historic events. Today's Normandy offers a very different atmosphere, to say the least. Many remainings of the German occupation can still be seen however (mainly bunkers) and every city, every village has its memorial in the honor of the Liberators. A really fascinating and touching visit!
A 180° panorama made on Omaha Beach:
Just by looking at this picture it's hard to imagine the violent fight that occured there on June 6th 1944.
The Pointe du Hoc is another impressive place. This well-defended battery was considered as unassailable by the Germans. Tens of bomb's craters are still visible, often 5-6 m deep, among the many bunkers and fortifications.
Further inland, I also visited the Lisieux military cemetary. There lie 698 Allied soldiers (mainly English). In another cemetery just next to it, lie 3715 German soldiers. To give you an idea, this is the smallest German cemetery of the region.
I put together some of my pictures in a gallery at this adress:
David
