NORMANDY 

Normandy - Omaha beach and the Colleville cemetery

Memorial sites
and beaches main page

D-Day beaches and War Memorial

Ste-Mere-Eglise

 Caen-Musée pour le Paix

 Pegasus Bridge
Benouville
Ranville

Up to the beaches. From Port-en-Bessin it is short drive westwards to OMAHA BEACH and the American cemetery at COLLEVILLE/SUR/MER overlooking the cliffs and beach where much of the fighting took place. It's not a coincidence that this site, which dominates the beach, was chosen to be transformed into a cemetery.
The fights on June 6th were terrible and murderous. American troops who landed here had the worst conditions one could imagine: furious sea, deadly obstacles, a quasi-impregnable site, much more enemies than expected, etc...Omaha, the only landing beach where a re-embarkation was considered (at the risk of jeopardizing all future operations) will stay forever the symbol of the tenacity of the American soldiers and officers. But the balance sheet was disastrous (3000 killed, more wounded and missing in combat in 24 hours), a symbol of the price paid for the liberation of Europe. Vierville, just west of it had also its share. Main reason was that they had a very bad timing by attacking just when the 352nd German Division was exercising counter-attacks. The Americans repatriated many of their dead, but the cemetery nevertheless contains 9,386 burials which are spread over a 70-hectare site the largest, most famous and the most moving of all cemeteries of the June landing. 1.5 million people visit the site every year (only Mont Saint Michel does better in Normandy). Nine thousand three hundred and eighty six white crosses!
On one side you have the original cemetery with its majestic green lawn esplanade, giving access to the alignment of white crosses. A semi-circular memorial is decorated with maps detailing the developments of the war and a soaring bronze statue representing the spirit of American Youth. On the other side, a monumental memorial, a "jardin des Disparus" (garden of the Missing) records the names of those whose bodies were unidentified or lost at sea. Towards the sea, on the side of the cliffs an orientation table shows looks down on the different beaches which were attacked on June 6, while to the west grids of white crosses and Stars of David are laid out with light-tipped precision on an immaculate carpet of grass, a visual correlative of infinity. You can accede Omaha beach by stairs.
But did you know that being here is being on US territory? You should know that in pursuance of an agreement with France, the site acquired the very special status of an American territory on French soil! The cemetery is open every day from 9-18 (fall-winter 8-17). The entrance is free.
In Saint-Laurent sur Mer there is a MUSEE D'OMAHA 6 JUIN 44 housing a lot of souvenirs and rare documents, certain very thrilling. Entrance fee and open every day 9.30-12.30 and 14.30-18.30. From May to September 9.30-18.30.

Bibliography

A holiday history of France, by Ronald Hamilton (London-Hogarth press), Region Normandie, ses merveilles, ses cicatrices, by Louis Letellier (ed. Cloison, Rouen 1995), Holt’s battle field guides, Normandy Overlord by Holt, Tonie and Valmai (Sandwich, Kent), Routard 1998 (Hachette, Paris), La France des petits chemins: Normandie, by J. de la Valléé (ed. Cité presse, Paris 1998), Six armies in Normandy, by John Keegan, (paperback ed. Pimlico)- La Journée fut longue, by Patrick Dewaere (ed.Robin, Paris 1988)

Ouistreham

Arromanches artificial port

 Bayeux war memorials

Omaha beach
 
Pointe du Hoc
     
 
Utah Beach