France, Sept. 06'
Last September Greg and I went to Europe for a little over a week. We flew into Amsterdam and rented a car. We drove down through Belgium into France. Our first night we stayed in Caine, France. From there we went into Bayeux and then to Grandcamp Maisy a coastal town. From there our journey into World history began as we toured the Beaches Of Normandy.

 
On June 6th, 1944 U.S., British and Canadian forces launched an amphibious attack on Nazi Germany along the coast of France. The day commonly referred to as "D-Day" was part of the Allied invasion to overthrow Germany occupancy of France. Codenamed "Operation Overlord" this offensive still to this day is the largest sea-borne offensive in history. Over 425,000 Allied and German troops were killed, wounded or went missing during the Battle of Normandy.

Omaha Beach was the bloodiest landing beach on D-Day. The official record stated that within 10 minutes of the ramps being lowered the leading company had become inert and leaderless, almost incapable of action. Every officer and sergeant had been killed or wounded. It had become a struggle for survival and rescue. There were about 2400 casualties on Omaha on D-Day, most in the first few hours.

    

Memorial at Omaha Beach

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greg entering the rear of a German Garrison. Note the trenches still exist today.

 

Coming out of the bunk.

 

 

 

Safe Spot

 

These Garrisons later became tombs as the Allies conquered them, killing all that occupied them.

The eerie feeling you get touching and feeling the impact points of the heavy fire sustained during the invasion is indescribable.

Front of a German Garrison. The heavy fir this shelter came under looks as if it happened yesterday.

 

 

Underground bunker system, this one has many rooms used to house artillery and gear. Troops may have used these to sleep as well.

 

Greg climbing out an escape hatch in this bunker.

Colleville ser Mer, a town inland of Omaha Beach. This Church was being used by Germans as a gunnery. Notice the photo of the damaged wall and Church, then look at the repair in the picture today.

 

 

GrandCamp Maisy, France

 

 

German machine Gun Garrison. Notice the "kill" shot that dismembered the swing arm off the attack post. The accuracy of our weaponry was amazing even in 1944.

 

 

 

Beachhead obstacles used to prevent Allied troops from storming the beaches.

Anti-Aircraft Gun

 

U.S. Troop Transporter still in tact

 

Normandy American Cemetery "Never Forget"

The Normandy American Cemetery is set on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach. It covers172.5 Acres. 9,387 American rest here, many could not be identified.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memorial from the Gardens Of The Missing. The statue represents the souls of the soldiers whom have died. The inscription around it reads "Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory Of The Coming Of The Lord".

The Gardens of the Missing Memorial is dedicated to the 1557 U.S. soldiers whose bodies were never recovered. Their names are inscribed on the walls surrounding the memorial.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greg and our trusty C-230 Diesel somewhere between Bayeux and GrandCamp Maisy, France.

The architecture in these French towns seemed untouched from hundreds of years ago. It was literally like taking a time machine into the 1800's. The people live very simple lives, mostly potato farmers living off the land.

991 Miles in 3 days. As fast as they went by, the memories will last forever.

 

 

 

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