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Normandy beaches


Day 2, 16 July 2019
A visit to the Normandy D-Day beaches, Arramanches, and the American War Cemetery.
It's all very sobering.
Very sobering to think that 75 years ago, people like my son, or Ruth's sons, could be running up the beaches to be confronted by German machine-gunfire.  Gold Beach, Omaha Beach, and the other beaches would have been covered by Allied Forces in their valiant attempt to repel The Hun.
Most sobering is that on Omaha Beach where the US Forces stormed, 9 out of 10 soldiers died.  That is a 90% casualty rate.  Staggering.

It was heartening in these days of Brexit uncertainty to see that there is great deal of warmth and respect of the British.  It may be 75 years ago that we helped the French out, but they haven't forgotten it.  British, US, and Canadian flags were up everywhere.  The lampposts had pictures of  a different one of "our boys" on each post.  Shops had "Thank you" painted on their windows.  It was a moving experience.
The Mulberry Harbour still in place at Arramanches is a constant reminder of the war effort.  Despite the comedy of the TV series, 'Allo, Allo' , it isn't really funny.


Mulberry Harbour
 We stopped for lunch in a small town en route to the American War Cemetery.
We had no idea where it was, but it was delightful.
Plat de jour menu of chicken rostis by the harbour, and we were on our way out of Port En Bessin.

Shop front painted with "Thank You"


Port en Bessin

We rounded off the day by visiting Point de Hoc, a tricky German outpost that had to be taken before the troops could really move inland.
The remains of German bunkers and battlements had to be visited.  Down steps into the bunkers was not my idea of a good life.  Goodness knows how many troops lived down in each bunker.  It must have been diabolical for them too.
A trip to the supermarket on the way home and we were all sorted for the day.
Point de Hoc, Normandy

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