Historical events of monumental proportions occurred in Normandy. From here rose the medieval king who conquered England, and this land was the rope in a tug-of-war of power between England and France for generations.
More recent history is commemorated in the World War II memorials of D-Day, June 6, 1944, when 156,000 men landed on the beaches of Normandy and began the liberation of France and the downfall of Nazi Germany.
It was a sobering day. The rows and rows of tombstones in the Commonwealth graves (there are 18 graveyards dedicated to the Commonwealth which includes Great Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand).
Roses grow between the graves along with lavender, poppies and other flowers. They are beautifully maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The headstones are identical white stone made unique by the emblem at the top - here a maple leaf for the Canadian troops.
There was so much to see and to absorb at these sites. A one-day visit is hardly enough.
I learned much about the preparations for D-Day and how it all began with 6 gliders, each filled with 30 men and two jeeps who were to land and secure two bridges, just 400 metres apart, so that when the landing of troops occurred, they would be able to cross the rivers with ease.
Above is the original Pegasus Bridge, taken just 15 minutes after the gliders landed. The Pegasus Museum gave a great overview of the event.
This photo of the new Pegasus Bridge looks much the same as the original (both are counterweight bridges), but is larger. The first glider landed shortly after midnight at the site of the first monument. Incredibly accurate. Gliders were silent (until they landed), so the surprise was a success.
Once the bridge was taken, it had to be held until the troops arrived. Shots were fired from roof of the chateau in the distance, but those shots could not be returned, for the chateau was a maternity hospital and the Allies did not want to harm the mothers and children there.
This house and coffee shop, right beside the bridge, was the first house liberated by the Allied troops. It belonged to the Gondree family and the daughter still owns the house and lives there.
More shots were fired from the tower of the church, and these were returned.
How peaceful it all looks today. A young man fished in the river just below the bridge. Patrons enjoyed coffee and ice cream at the house/coffee shop. Young families strolled by.
The water is so blue. People lie on the beach, sunbathing, while children run in and out of the water.
These caissons were towed over on D-Day to form an artificial harbour at Arromanches. It was to this harbour that the materiel for continuing the advance into France arrived.
I was struck by this juxtaposition of war and peace in the square overlooking the sea at Arromanches. A gun memorializes the soldiers who fought there. Next to it is a carousel with merry voices and cheerful music.
On to Juno Beach, the landing site for the Canadian troops. There is a museum here, and a preserved German bunker.
Tim on Juno Beach, now a peaceful place of pleasure and play. I am proud to be a Canadian, and never more so than after seeing the role my country played in the war. 9% of Canada's population at the time took direct part in the war - the highest contribution per capita of any nation.
Let us not forget the sacrifice of so many.
So very sobering but also nice to see how the peace that prevails there now. I think it's beautiful how the site and gravestones are maintained. It shows gratitude and honor to those who sacrificed everything.
ReplyDeleteWasn't it an amazing area to see Lorrie, and to have a fine, sunny day apparently was good. It was very windy when we were there last Oct. but a lovely day too. We did the American cemetery - for Bob - and it was really difficult to walk between so many graves. How beautifully maintained the areas are. How sad to think the world is still fighting and people are dying all around us.
ReplyDeleteSaw your comment and am so glad to know you have enjoyed your Avalon experience! As I mentioned we thought them better than "the other much advertised line" in many ways and would definitely do any future river cruising with them. Yes, food was fabulous and service great as I'm sure you will agree.
Enjoy the remaining days/weeks of your trip.
Hugs - Mary
I wish that every Canadian could have that experience, Lorrie. We have attended Remembrance Day services at Commonwealth War Cemeteries in the Netherlands, France and Belgium. It is certainly sobering.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to read that you're having such a lovely time on your trip, and look forward to hearing more about it.
The site seems so peaceful that it is hard to imagine otherwise. Your photos are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly a sobering experience and heart rendering when the ages of these brave people are revealed. We are indebted to the wonderful commitment of so many, they certainly should never be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteHi Lorrrie,
ReplyDeleteIt truly is an awe inspiring experience. Your photo's are brilliant. Looking at them reminds me how blessed we are because of those who went before us. Very sobering.
xoxo
Very sobering indeed. What a beautiful place and the blues of that sky are stunning. Difficult to imagine the carnage of that day juxtaposed with the serenity of the day you visited. The world would be very different today if those brave men had not prevailed so I bless the memory of them.
ReplyDeleteUntil recently I never thought I wanted to visit Normandy, but several reminders have tugged at my heart. I may just have to go back to France.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful, heartwarming and prideful post, Lorrie. I know it had to be hard at times but you can take heart in knowing that your country did the ultimate in those hard times.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your photos and touching words.
Jane
Lovely post, Lorrie, so glad to know that you are enjoying your visit to Normandy.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Normandy and how Canadians are held in high esteem.
ReplyDeleteWow...amazing! Informational...and sobering.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sad place, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to believe what once took place in this peaceful looking place. I can only imagine what a sobering experience it was to visit in person. You did a remarkable job of composing this post allowing us to feel a part of the whole experience.
ReplyDeleteMy dad was a part of the Normandy Invasion and, like so many of his generation, never ever talked about his experiences there. It wasn't until I saw Saving Private Ryan that I somewhat understood what it must have been like for him and all who were a part of it. It prompted me to write a long letter of appreciation to him. I also asked him if he thought the movie portrayed the events accurately and he said that he did. So glad now that I wrote that letter as a few years later he fought another battle (cancer) that eventually took him from us.