This tour will include, Omaha Beach, WN60, WN62, WN65, WN72, WN73. Utah Beach, WN5. La Pointe du Hoc, Sainte-Mère-Église, Le Pont de la Fière, the American Cemetery at Colleville-Sur- Mer, (The lowering of the flag ceremony can be seen at the end of the day). I will give ongoing talks on the history of each section and depending on how much time we spend on each site we can visit museums along the way if desired. There are many small cinema screenings of personal testimonies or films taken during the invasion to be seen in some of the museums, along with many intersting artifacts, including aircraft and tanks etc. I will also discuss the overall history of WW2, normally as we travel between each site, depending on individual requirements and knowledge. I can also talk about the local histories of the various places we drive through. We can stop to purchase local products if requested. La Pointe Du Hoc is where James Rudder led 225 US 2nd Rangers and scaled the cliffs. The location is virtually unchanged since 1944. Omaha Beach is a huge part of American history, fortified by Ervin Rommel and stormed by the first and twenty ninth infantry divisions. Utah Beach was the landing beach designated for the fourth and ninetieth infantry divisions, with the 101st airborne assigned to protect the narrow causeways behind the beach. Dick Winters, portrayed in the series ‘Band of Brothers’ began his heroic struggle here. Sainte Mere Eglise was among the first objectives of the 82nd airborne and was the scene of many being dropped off course and landing in the town. The famous scene in ‘The Longest Day’ with Red Buttons hooked on the church steeple, portraying the true events of John Steele. Le Pont de la Fiere, one of the crossings of the Merderet River, contested by both the Germans and Americans during a three day long battle. This bridge was the inspiration for the bridge at Ramelle in ‘Saving Private Ryan’. This tour is packed with so many great things to see! We discuss at the outset your preferences, I will recommend certain places and we take it from there, with the aim to see as much as possible that you want to see.
