D-Day Normandy Tour - Impromptu changes

D-Day Normandy

16 Oct

*One of the three gun emplacements that were captured undamaged on D-Day*

Sometimes, it is impromptu changes to a tour’s program that make the day a lot more interesting. On a recent tour to the D-Day Normandy Beaches, the weather became progressively worse during the day. Places like Sword and Gold Beaches (D-Day landing sites) were far too wet to venture outside the minivan. Although this was disappointing, the guide did his utmost to take us to other places that weren’t so affected by the weather.

*The gun emplacement that received a direct hit. Note the remnants of the gun in the foreground.*

A short break in the rain and a half kilometre off the road was the remnants of the German gun battery at Longues-sur-Mer. Comprising of four gun emplacements, this site was even more interesting in that the original guns are still in place.

As the story goes, the allied warships tried to destroy these guns, but sea fog covered most of the area. Only one gun was visible. A direct hit with the shell exploding at the rear of the bunker immediately destroyed the position with the force of the explosion throwing the gun out of the front. Today, you can walk around and examine these gun emplacements at close hand including the one that was destroyed with the remnants of its gun still lying in front.

A little further inland and at the start of our return to Paris, is the city of Caen. Over 70% of the buildings were destroyed during the war and particularly in the short period after D-Day. One building that was spared was the Abbey of Saint Stephen. Originally built in 1063, it is the final resting place for William the Conqueror of 1066 Battle of Hastings fame. William died in 1087. It is amazing is that something you have read about that happened nearly 1,000 years ago all of a sudden becomes so real. How old are some of these places!!!