Normandy: the footprints of the «Longest Day»
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Walking along the beaches of Normandy is travel for 80 kilometers the symbolic and important battle of World War II. The story of what happened there is very well known, but VaP. offers some tips for those who want to see in situ the remains of the great battle.
A bell hanging a parachute, the piano he played the first notes of the heroic victory or escalation of Pointe du Hoc are some secrets waiting in the stunning Normandy. For lovers of the history of World War II is required instead of step. A fascinating journey to the beginning of the end.
The 6 June 1944, the French coast dawned under a cloud of ships that disappeared in the horizon. Allied troops had managed to deceive the German, awaiting them in the Land of Calais, began at dawn and disembark on the beach left a lot of death, blood and honor. The rear of the German defense had been taken by U.S. paratroopers were to prevent the arrival of reinforcements to the beachfront. The first 24 hours, those baptized Cornelius Ryan in his book as "Longest Day", were definite. To pursue the trail of those moments that changed history should begin your visit in the "Peace Memorial", Caen.
Allied troops had managed to deceive the German, awaiting them in the Land of Calais, began at dawn and disembark on the beach left a lot of death, blood and honor.
El Plan, the suit ...
In the Museum of Caen, a city that was almost destroyed by Allied bombing the hours before the assault and miraculously saved his beautiful heritage, there is a complete collection of relics of the battle. Besides all the practical information about fighting, one can see a wedding dress made of parachute fabric from a labor of love born from a U.S. paratrooper and a local woman; is also called piano victory, was landed with thousands of tons of war material, and which sounded the first notes of the ally celebration. There are many curiosities exist in the memorial and so I propose as a starting point of the visit.
After detailed visit to the museum, the traveler can go the next morning at five beaches where British landed, Canadian and U.S.: Juno, Gold, Sword, Y Omaha Utah. They are known by the code names that the name given by the invaders. My advice is to walk around all, though doubtless Omaha, where the bloodiest fighting was, is the most interesting. For this we went to the artificial port of Arromanches, secretly built in England and raised in one week after the first skirmishes to ensure the steady flow of supplies and materiel to the French coast. His remains are easily visible.
Then, further south is the battery Longues Nazi Sur-Mer. A defense complex consisting of four bunkers that is the only one who still has their guns 150 mm originales. Their shells damaged many boats sectors of Omaha and Gold. Finally, and with the support of two battleships, British troops took control of the hazardous batteries 7 June.
The American cemetery
The next stop is the famous beach of Omaha. Therein, where clashes were harder, died 50 percent of U.S. soldiers who landed in the early hours. Can be lowered to the same sand, where it is easy to understand that the position of the Allies was terribly complicated, as there is a small hilltop overlooking the beach where the Nazis had a perfect position to attack and defend at a time.
On this hill is the famous American cemetery. Leased 1956 by the French Government to the U.S., which manages the cemetery as their own territory, his most famous picture is the row of white crosses (some of David) and inscriptions on each cross. The most shocking is that you can read: "Here lies a glorious companion known in the arms of God". These are the graves of unknown soldiers. Finally, in this cemetery are buried two sons of U.S. president, Theodore Roosvelt, who died in World War I and II (burial is the only one not fallen in the second race in this cemetery) and there is a time capsule with newspaper clippings of 6 June 1944.
To end the visit must go to Pointe du Hoc , where you walk through an area hit by dozens of shells. Here, in this wild cliff, happened is perhaps the most heroic action of the war: the Allies knew it was necessary to remove the batteries from the dominant rock. More 200 Rangers were sent to climb the cliff with ropes and disarm the Nazi troops settled there. More than half failed to do so by the tides and 70 rangers to some sources and more than 20 for the guide I made the visit, succeeded after hard fighting to take the position.
A bell hanging paratrooper
Dusk and reached the village of Sainte-Mere-Eglise. It was the first town liberated by paratroopers, which were supported by soldiers who landed on Utah Beach (beautiful beach where there was little resistance). In the steeple of the church there is a parachute hanging recalling the story of a soldier who was caught and survived there for two hours playing dead. Around him was a real burst of bullets fired by German soldiers to heaven, from which rain fell night fighters.
The next morning, and before going to the legendary Mont Saint Michell (see the report in this enclave VaP.), stop to see the English cemetery in Bayeux and German cemetery of La Cambe. His black crosses, small, are a symbol of peace. "There was much resistance to the creation of this place. Many French were opposed to pay tribute to the 21.500 Germans killed in those days ", The guide tells me. Shrinks a bit to understand its meaning. Today, there, in those beaches, There are meetings between former combatants from both sides. The Second World War began to end in those parts.
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For the traveler who wants to reach a different way, can take the train Francisco de Goya in Madrid, every day at seven in the evening from the station Chamartín, and enjoy a nice dinner and a night in their luxurious cars. You arrive in Paris at eight o'clock. From the French capital two hours by car.
From Barcelona there is the same offer. The train leaves at 21 hours and arrives in Paris to 9 am.
www. elipsos.com.
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Bed and Breakfast Le Clos Saint Martin, Caen. Accommodation in the center of the charming city where excellent. Its price ranges between 105 and 135 EUR. Worth.
Telephone +33 (0) 231 50 08 71
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French food is a delight that you can test in cheap and expensive restaurants. But, coincidence led us to discover one night "Le Bistrot Basque". A local Basque cuisine, exquisite, with good prices.
Direction: 24 Quai Vendeuvre
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-Go to the Cape of La Hague and the beach Hattainville. You can see the wild sea Norman.
-Of course, ir al Mont Sant Michel, own worth visiting, and that we will report back in VaP.. Also do not miss the spectacular tapestry of Bayeux, the eleventh century, located in the town of the same name. A canvas of almost 70 meters long of great beauty and historical significance. Do not miss.
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Comments (3)
Council
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Excellent. Thanks
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angel
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I would like information about travel agencies specializing in World War seguda. thanks
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Lydia
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The first time I heard of the Normandy landings, was when I read the book Anne Frank. It was very small and aroused much curiosity in me. At that time, not really understand. Therefore, eventually went looking for information on the subject. I wanted to know how he prepared the landing, how it was carried out, etc..
From my point of view as a child, impressed me a lot knowing that your life and that of those around him, that action depended. A war, at that age, you seems so far… And above all, were convinced that he would never think of something so heinous.
Over time I learned that in addition to the historical facts, Normandy was known for the beauty of its landscapes.
It's another of my travel list, which is getting longer.
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