Normandy

Jack D · #1 (**permalink**) September 14th, 2003, 08:30 PM

Hi Guys,
I`m brand new here. I found the site on an internet search for a bit of a project I`m doing.
I would appreciate any comments you may have.

Every Rememberance Weekend I like to do a little bit more than go down to the local military cemetery to pay my respects. This year I`m doing a 4 day trip to Normandy to see various sites of interest of the 1944 campaign. I will definately go to Gold beach - Jig, as that is where my battalion (1st Bn Hampshires) landed and I will follow their route from there. Also a week later, the 16th Bn Hampshires landed and were involved in the fight for Bayeux and Caen.I plan to investigate around there too. In the trip I will also visit Pegasus Bridge and spend a day at the American beaches. The Sunday morning will find me at a British cemetery for the "Last Post" and the 2 minutes silence.
Anyway I would hate to go there and miss something spectacular, so my request is that if any of you know of somewhere I definately should go, please let me know. I realise its a big subject and theres loads to see, but if there was one place that you would not miss on a trip such as this, what would it be and why.

Thank you for your time.

Jack

C.Evans · #2 (**permalink**) September 14th, 2003, 09:18 PM

Hi Jack and welcome aboard Sir.

It's hard to say but--I would have to visit all the beaches, Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno and Sword. I would want to visit Cherbourg, Pont du Hoc, St Mere Gleise (SP?)

But most important (for me) of all. I would want to visit every cemetary possible--so I could pay my respects for all those who died there.

I want to remember those who died in order to see to it that I have the freedom that I enjoy. I know that these men made the sacrifice not only for those who lived then, but for those who were born after that time and those who are living today as well as in the future.

GOD bless them all. [img]graemlins/vc.gif[/img]

[ 14. September 2003, 04:20 PM: Message edited by: C.Evans ]

dustcowpoke · #3 (**permalink**) September 14th, 2003, 09:57 PM

Yes, go to the Pointe Du Hoc battlegrounds where the Ranger's battle was fought. This battlefield is preserved with the original bunkers and craters. I myself have been there.

Martin Bull · #4 (**permalink**) September 15th, 2003, 06:18 AM

A warm welcome here, Jack !

The very first place I'd suggest you visit, from the comfort of your home, is the website of our Forum colleague 'Sommecourt' : -

http://www.battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/

Mahross · #5 (**permalink**) September 15th, 2003, 12:16 PM

Jack go to Mount Ormel or the River dives for the closing of the falaise pocket really shows you what it was like in those closing days for the germans and even the poles when the got cut off at ormel.

Erich · #6 (**permalink**) September 15th, 2003, 04:12 PM

Jack, welcome ! some good thoughts by some of the forum members. It entirely depends what you want. do you want to follow the American route of combat or the British. hard to take in both I beleive but you can try. Would think that startings south of Caen and visiting points slightly South-west and west and finalize at Falaize and the area of Trun would rap things up quite nicely for you. As Sommercourt has a nice site as well as Mahross as well to fill you in.
maybe go here for a tidbit.... www.hill112.com

a tribute to the British armor and a vets story.

~E

TheRedBaron · #7 (**permalink**) September 17th, 2003, 09:08 AM

Take a stroll across pegasus bridge and visit the nearby museum as they are building a replica Horsa for the anniversary, check out our Normandy module web site at wolverhampton university...

Bugger... Lost the address!!!

Jack D · #8 (**permalink**) September 17th, 2003, 09:12 AM

Thanks for the welcome and the replies.
Pegasus bridge is already on the list of "to dos" and I was contemplating Hill 112
I will have a research of all the other stuff you`ve mentioned
Thanks again

Mahross · #9 (**permalink**) September 17th, 2003, 01:43 PM

Jack this is the address Red was looking for:

http://www.strategos.demon.co.uk/D-Day/welcome.htm

Onthefield · #10 (**permalink**) September 17th, 2003, 03:05 PM

hey jack. thanx for bringing up the topic, i was actually going to bring it up myself being that i'll soon be going to Normandy with my father and uncle on a trip there, although no date has been set. i would definetly second the Orne and the Dives. im plannin on a slightly different schedule of eight days and ill be visiting all the beaches as carl suggested, thanx carl, and St. Mere Eglise, St. Mere du Mont, Caen, Pegasus Bridge and the Carentan. Any more suggestions from anyone would also be appreciated by another person.

sommecourt · #11 (**permalink**) September 28th, 2003, 05:21 PM

Martin very kindly mentioned my website (above) - you may find it of use in planning your trip.

I also have a complete roll of honour for the Normandy campaign, organised by unit. If you want some details of where any Hampshire men are buried or commemorated, then let me know.

Jack D · #12 (**permalink**) October 3rd, 2003, 02:35 PM

Paul.
Thanks for the offer of info. I really enjoyed your site. I may indeed need some help if I end up exhausting my sources. On that subject - if I can help contribute to your site with photos etc from my research and trip then just give me the nod.
I am quite lucky in that I live very close to my Regimental musuem which has alot lot of info.The problem is, it is shut at the moment for building work.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I will post a bit of an itinery of my chosen sites soon. Further comments would be welcome.

thank you.
Jack