It was on 6 June 1944, the much anticipated invasion of Northwest Europe (Operation Overlord) began with Allied landings on the coast of Normandy (Operation Neptune). The task was difficult, for the Germans had turned the shoreline into an interlinked chain of strong points equipped with machine guns, artillery, pillboxes, land mines, barbed wire, and beach difficulties. The D-Day Beaches are located in the Calvados department of Normandy, France. They were the landing points for the Allied invasion of Western Europe during WW II.
In reminiscing this historical event, the perfect time to visit is on the June 6thanniversary when there are numerous honoring ceremonies to mark the said occasion was laid. A large number of reenactment crowd attend, adding spectacle and atmosphere. The bells of church ring simultaneously within the towns to rejoice the anniversary of their freedom.
The Landings
Later after middle of the night, around 24,000 men came in by parachute and glider on the borders, to secure key areas. Then the key seaborne landings on five separate beaches (Sword, Juno, Gold, Omaha, and Utah) began at dawn. The attacks were: East-to-west. The British 6th Airborne, with one Canadian battalion, was on the left flank near Caen. While, The US 82nd and 101st Airborne, was on the right flank around “Sainte Mère-Église”. Every beach has each own monuments and museums.
The Beach
There are also grain field farms with old fashion presence, pastures, hedges, farmhouses and even cattle behind the beach, are still an added attraction. The beaches are still known today by their D-Day code names.
1. The Popular Sword Beach
The allied forces occupied all the strategic points. The 3rdInfantry Division of British forces landed on the 4 kms. of beach between Lion-sur-mer and Ouistreham. Royal Marine Commando of the 41st infantry landed at Lion-sur-Mer, while the N°4 British Commando (integrated by 177 Frenchmen from the 1stBatallion)landed at Ouistreham. On the eastern flank, the 6thBritish Airborne had parachuted in the early morning hours of June 6th, this the day that started the siege.
2.) Juno Beach
It is a 5 miles wide that enclosed the popular town of St.Aubin-sur-Mer, Courseulles-sur-Mer and Bernières-sur-Mer. The 3rdCanadian Infantry Division supported by the 2ndCanadian Armored Brigade had fought their way through the beaches and into the towns. The No. 48thRoyal Marine Commando safeguarded the left flank at Langrune-sur-Mer.
3.) Gold Beach
Expect to travel five miles and get to see the Arromanches, La Rivière, and Le Hamel. The 50th British Infantry Detachment supported by Armored 8th Brigade that landed in Gold beach. The 47thMarine Royal Commando set foot on the western border with the aim to take the Port-en-Bessin.
Not far from Gold beach is The Bayeux War Cemetery and Memorial, it commemorates soldiers with unknown grave.
4.) Omaha Beach
This place is surrounded by several cliffs 150 feet high. These natural strong defensive spots had been expertly reinforced by Germans with deadly concrete high-powered guns such as machine guns and anti-tank gun. Since there was no cover on the beach, this serene feature of the beach became a killing field.
5.) Utah Beach
Utah beach, located western was assaulted by United States Infantry 4th Division. Airborne troops landed stealthily during nighttime to protect the invasion’s western flank. The troops secured the place and open the roads for the support team which will be landing at dawn. The target was to take Cherbourg and to separate the Cotentin Peninsula in two.
The successful touchdown was a great turning point in World War II. This is a major step in defeating the forces of Hitler and his Nazi. After D-Day, the Allies went on to continue liberate all of Europe; with the three main participants US, Canada, and UK.
At present though, the memories of D-Day’s war are undeniably imbedded in the countryside. Along the 80-km invasion coastline, there are the remnants of German bunkers and gun emplacements. Meanwhile, war memorials and monuments landmarks where dedicated to the allied forces fought hardly during D-Day. Inside the community, almost each village were placed monuments and museums at every bend in the road. A tourist can only appreciated every detail of the historical place by visiting the vastness of the landmarks.
To commemorate D-Day (June 6) celebration, there is a campaign in Normandy that will be lasted until late last week of August.