My 5 hour ferry crossing from England to France was quite posh; air conditioned, had a restaurant, bar, recliner chairs and smooth seas. I was reasonably sure there wouldn't be anyone shooting at me once I got to the other side. (I wasn't in the USA after all).
The average age of the boys who stormed the beaches on June 6, 1944 was 18-19. Think of our current day kids at that age! Mostly draftees and although trained; they had never experienced real combat. The seas were extremely choppy and once loaded into their landing craft a few miles out, they had to wait around for all the other landing crafts to be loaded, by circling around in big water. Toting their 80 pound packs and rifle they we given anti-nausea pills but the majority were retching their guts out, shaking uncontrollably and scared out of their minds. The opening scenes of "Saving Private Ryan" show it best.
Operation Overlord was underway and no turning back now. Utah Beach was the westernmost landing beach. I could go on and on about the details but that even bores me. You've seen enough old movies I'm sure to get a picture of the carnage.
The beaches, and especially Omaha Beach, where our boys landed, were sacrificial grounds for the first waves who landed.
The Germans on the hill, although caught by surprise, had a real advantage (always be above the enemy--right?) and mowed our boys down.
The most unbelievable mission was the scaling of Pointe du Hoc by our Army Rangers. 9 stories high and very steep.
Out of 225 Rangers only 90 survived. They had to get up there and destroy some big German guns and bunkers early before the first waves landed. When you look at those cliffs you think no way that could have been done. But it was.
Ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things.
We visited all 5 beaches but of course with our group Omaha Beach was the holy ground. Dave and I visited there 13 years ago. It still grabs you. It happened to be a beautiful sunny day and there were many visitors milling about from many countries. WW2 touched everyone in some way.
There is a tribute in the sand on the beach where the first boys landed. Every day at 4:30 someone plays the Star Spangled Banner here on trumpet along with Taps. 10,000 Americans died at Omaha Beach in the opening days. Fewer than 3,000 D-day vets were still alive as of 2021. Very soon there won't be any.
Think of them the next time June 6th rolls around and there is no mention of D-Day on the news, social media or the history channel.
Our historian, Jonathan Carroll, (a Military History Professor at Texas A &M) is making this solemn trip so interesting. At each memorial or site he injects personal stories of our soldiers who were there. That means so much more than dates and statistics. Great job. Good storyteller.
Sainte Mere-Eglise was occupied by the Germans in June of 1940. 5 roads pass through the town and it was only 7 miles east of the landing beaches. Transport wise it was a very strategic location for both sides. Supplies had to reach the troops or game over.
On June 6, 1944 it was the first occupied town in France to be liberated by airborne troops. The 82 Airborne Division dropped in town late at night. Many landed in trees and utility poles and were shot before they could cut loose. As luck would have it there was a big fire in town that night and the sky was lit up. Not good. One paratrooper, John Steele, became famous as the one who got stuck on a church spire. He hung there limply for
two hours playing dead before the Germans took him prisoner. The town pays tribute to him still today. He managed to escape the Germans and rejoin his infantry going on to help capture 30 Germans and killing another 11. The incident can be seen in the movie "The Longest Day". He was played by actor red Buttons. Hollywood still loves WW2! Endless stories to tell.
Moving along through Normandy we stopped at various memorials. Too many to mention. One that was very special was a monument to Lt. James M. Gavin of the 82nd Airborne. At this site (a bridge) he and his men held this crossing site over the Merderet Causeway with many casualties. A very small bridge. No big deal huh? Very big deal. Very important supply route.
I thought maybe this tour would calm down my obsession with the subject of WW2 but it seems it's only feeding it. (Sorry Dave) We visit the American Cemetery next.
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