D-Day 65th anniversary

http://www.archives.gov/research/ww2/photos/images/ww2-98.jpg

"Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower gives the order of the Day. 'Full victory-nothing else' to paratroopers in England, just before they board their airplanes to participate in the first assault in the invasion of the continent of Europe." Moore, June 6, 1944. 111-SC-194399.

 

My hat's off to you and your fallen buddies Sir. Thank you for your service. Take care and best regards-Carl.

 

Happy 65th Anniversary Guys this is the day. Yesterday night it started with a huge 80 km long firework immitating the bombardments alongs the beaches. It was impressive to see on TV and the noise was very convincing too.
1500 are expected to be there , including 200 Americans who will attend the Colleville Ceremony. My deepest respect to all of those . I consider them as liberators, friends and those who come to my home are treated as relatives .

 

I second that, happy 65th Anniversary and Respect to Vets everywhere

 

All day long I have been thinking on the feeling I get every time I visit Normandy: I get constant goosebumps and I feel overwhelmed by the experience of just being in an area with so much history.

My thoughts goes out to all the Veterans and to those who are forever resting.

 

I remember relatives that served and made it onshore an to Brian, Walt our forum members and other veterans that gave so much this date

v/r Erich ~

 

Yes, thanks to all of the brave men that day. I would like to make a visit to Normandy some day to see the sites and stand in awe of the events made there. Certainly a feat that will never be forgotten; nor will they...

 

Looking forward to hearing the story of your trip. And I also wish to visit Normandy. I think I would simply be overwhelmed by the very thought that I am standing admist so much history, where for a short while the tide was once red. Thank you, soldiers!!!

 

To the men who set foot on French soil that day in order to free a continent from the grip of Nazism-whatever their nationality-you have my most sincere gratitude and everlasting admiration.

 

cbc had coverage today..all good till it came to singing our athem they sung it all in French(WTF)

 

Lou -- You would have gotten off your LC just like most of the others. Despite your fear, you would have seen everyone else moving and you would not want to be the guy left behind. Everyone was afraid but they pressed forward.

 

I'm back !

What a week we had in Normandy! The weather was excellent and the place was awash with military vehicles and people dressed in wartime attire.

Here's a few photos to kick off with...

St Mere Eglise





La Fiere


A local inhabitant

 

WOW panther44,It's like i am in France during ww2! I wish i was with you at that time of you;re visit.
Excellant pictures,and thanks for sharing this great event.

Best Wishes.

 

Hi John, glad to see you back and-great photos. My Brother-in-Law, Nephews and I, would each kill (just what I dunno?) for those Jeeps. One of my Nephews and Bro-in-Law each are restoring their WWII Willys Jeeps they each have. Ill see if I can get some pics of their Jeeps and have them posted here sometime.

 

Carl, you would have been in heaven with all the jeeps and other military vehicles that had massed in Normandy for the anniversary...they were everywhere!

This was the scene on Arromanches beach 0n 6th June

 

Hi John, all I can say is--O-MY-GOD-at all the available restored vehicles. That must have been one heck of a nice place to be at-and to walk amongst.

 

Good job John, I see they still have a couple of the artificial harbor barges at large. They always tell me that they will sink within the next few months.

 

Here's a few 'then and now' comparissons.

This is St Aubin-sur-Mer beach which is part of Juno Beach-Nan Sector. Note the ditched P-47 Thunderbolt and tank on the beach.



Bernieres-sur-Mer beach

 

Some of the fortifications on Utah Beach.


Inside the bunker pictured above.



Looking out along the beach from the bunker pictured above


An large calibre gun position

The wood that lines the ammunition lockers of the emplacement pictured above is still there!