D-Day, picture intensive

I hope the mods don't consider this too political, but I don't think it is. Two years ago, I was on a business trip to France, working with an airline based at Orly, just outside of Paris. As luck would have it (and as I planned it), I would be there overlapping the anniversary of D-Day. As luck would have it (and as I planned it), I gave myself a tourist day, as I really wanted to go to Normandy. I wasn't sure what to expect. I never served in the military, though I have been working with various branches for a couple of decades. Yeah, I'm old - see the other thread.

Normandy is a 3.5 hour drive from where I was working, but I knew I had to go there. So, I got an early start and started the drive. The drive itself was interesting; I had never been to France prior to this trip. I had already done my time in Paris, so it was nice to just enjoy the sites and views. I knew I only had four hours or so while in Normandy, but as usual, I didn't really plan anything other than needing to pay my respects at the US cemetery there. I had a few Uncles who served in Europe, right in the meat grinder, and one who was Army intelligence stateside. I know precious little about their service as they never really spoke to it while they were alive. I can't begin to imagine the horror they experienced.

Once there, I just kinda walked around, seeing where I ended up. I don't know if you believe in sensing energy, but I do, and it's overwhelming there. There's a lot of unsettled shit going on there: on the beach, in the bunkers, at the cemetery. It's sobering and solemn.

These bunkers were scattered around the hillsides. There's nothing inside them now, but it was a strange experience to be walking through these imagining all of the enemy soldiers who were there that day trying to kill our guys.


Bomb crater?


I was there in the afternoon, and don't know if it was going on low or high tide, but that's a
huge expanse of beach to cross to try to get to the hill while a thousands of the enemy were
doing their best to kill you. I can't imagine what was going through our troops minds as they were approaching
the beach on their landing craft. Courage and bravery don't seem like enough to describe it.



Not just US casualties that day.




Inside one of the bunkers. I assume the hole is from our side's artillery. I don't know the purpose of the wavy lines in the walls.


Colleville sur mer Church. This spire was used as a navigation point for our landing craft.


The D-Day invasion was spread over numerous beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.


Part of the US cemetery.


Les Braves memorial:
"Sons, husbands and fathers, who endangered and often sacrificed their lives in the hope of freeing the French people."





Memorial dedicated to all soldiers who liberated France.


I have great respect for all of those who have served. It goes way beyond a casual "Thanks for your service." Having worked for so long with the military, I have an idea of the sacrifice those in uniform make, in good times. During wartime, it's unfathomable to me. From the depths of my soul, Thank You to all who served.

 

Thanks for the photos and the trip report. My wife and I were scheduled for a Viking River Cruise in France last April 2020, and a destination during the trip was Normandy. The cruise got cancelled due to the pandemic, but we still have a credit with Viking through April of 2022, so the trip could still happen. It sounds like a worthy endeavor.

 

Thank you, nice pics.

 

Thanks for sharing this

 

Good presentation thanks for sharing

 

Great post. Thanks for sharing.

 

Thank you! I'm retired Army and looking at these scenes always brings out the incredible awe I have for the guys who charged across the beaches after landing.

 

Thank you for posting. The Greatest generation with the bravest of hearts <3.

 

Just now had the privilege of seeing this. Thank you Sir.
Both sides of my family have enjoyed a good life because of the sacrifices of our ancestors, especially the ones made in that war and on that beach.
We need to be reminded of this more often.

 

Thank you @catus. Many of those folks in the cemeteries over there were not old enough to vote at that time, they damn sure were old enough to die for their country

 

amazing pictures bro , very nice !