Normandy Trip 2010

Yes Skipper, it was a strange feeling looking at the old photo and imagining the scene at the same spot where I was standing some 66 years earlier.

Another comparison in Sainte-mer-Eglise.

 

Look at the 'Renault' Sign left on the building ( I think )

 

Hi Pizzadevil I think it reads Herault (Herald) rather than Renault. John as always your pics are stunning.

 

Great photos John not much has really changed except for some fill-ins into the walls and a fresh coat of paint, super comparisons

 

Thanks Erich.

Sainte-mer-Eglise again.

Let me know if you're all getting bored yet?






The main road through the town




The church in the centre of the town

 

Is that a veteran on the second picture?

 

Which picture are you referring to?

 

In the last post with pictures, at the 'sandwich' thing.

 

They were serving members of the US military. There were lots of them milling about the town.

There were also a number of british parachute regiment and germany army personel walking around.

 

Do you know why is that?

 

I'd heard they were there to do a mass parachute jump as part of the D-Day celebrations.

 

Another then and now comparison.

This is in the town of St-Aubin-sur-Mer and shows captured german soldiers being marched off to a holding area.

 

Great before and after photos, John. The advantage of a self-directed tour! You choose where you stop to take photos.

I have a before and after book of photos done by an official Canadian war photographer, Ken Bell, and it is amazing to look at what time can heal.

 

Thank you, Michelle.

I have never been on an organised tour and probably never will for the very reason you mention. I like to do my own thing when I choose.

Tours would also never take you to some of the places I have visited in Normandy.

Do you know the ISBN of the book you mention?

 

John,

How difficult was it to find these locations where the original photo was taken? I'd like to do the same thing when I eventually make a trip there. Amazing photos.

 

It all depends on how familiar you are with the area. I have been to Normandy many times now and some of the more well know places where the 'then' photo was taken are instantly recognisable.

The comparison which I posted of the half track and truck in St-Lambert-sur-Dives was easy to work out as I recognised the church and buildings in the background straight away.

The fact that not much has changed in Normandy since the war is also a big help, most places still look the same.

 

Here's some photos of places I visited during this years trip to Normandy.

Does anybody recognise this fire control bunker? Which famous movie did it appear in?

 

The Longest Day?

 

Sorry to hijack the thread. The serving US, Dutch, Canadian, French, German & British airborne troops were indeed part of a mass drop at the La Fière DZ, just outside of Ste. Mère Eglise. It was magnificent!

I described it in my 'blog here. Lots of pictures too. Hope you enjoy.