What To See On Normandy Beaches Trip?

[von Poop]

I was wondering why the turret looked so odd, explanation here:
http://www.tanxheaven.com/ljs/M4-75mm'Sherman'/15-M4-75mm'Sherman',Overloon.jpg
Wouldn't 'Sapper's unit have been involved in the grimness around Overloon?

[Owen]

Adam
Your link don't work for me.




Yes 3rd Div were there October 44.
Here's Mostonian's other pic.http://www.bujold.co.uk/html/overloon_museum_1.html

[Owen]

3rd Div relieved the 7th US Armored Division here on October 9th.
In the fighting in that area the 7th US Armd had 452 casualties,and lost 35 tank and 43 other vehicles.

[von Poop]

By they way Mostonian, Had a proper look at your website now, that Overloon Museum looks like a blinder. Your shot's of the M26 'Dragon wagon' http://www.bujold.co.uk/html/overloon_museum_8.html are superb, never seen one in such a good state of preservation. Spent half an hour underneath one last year in Kent (I am slightly ashamed about this) marvelling at it's massive Chain Drive, it's like an overgrown motorbike underneath... Also some very handy clear views of other Vehicles. Cheers!

[kingy58]

i hope you have a good trip it is all worth seeing if you get time pay a visit to the caen memorial, you will need a good couple of hours to see everything also any of the cemeteries are worth visiting

[sapper]

Overloon! Where my war finished. while collecting the next days battle orders at about 1am between Overloon and Venraij.

The war museum was originally dedicated to the Third British Div later became the national war museum. The US 7th div was driven out by the enemy, and departed to the South never to be seen againg..We had to do it!

We suffered three time the casualties as the 7th, but by the 18th it was ours.
Sapper
Sapper

[Mostonian]

Thanks for the comments on my website. The museum in Overloon is stunning. You could spend a full day there.
As for Normandy, the highlights of my trip were Pegasus, St. Mére-Eglise and Bayeux, but all of it was excellent. I had a brilliant and moving time. You can't go wrong.
As for written itineries, we had the Holts Battlefield Guide with us and used it as a tool to plan the trip beforehand. They have suggested tours in them timed for the motorist, but we made our own up. Here's a link to it:
http://tinyurl.com/k4c4m
They do a wide range of other sites as well.

Sapper, I'm sure you've had it said before, but I feel I must say it again.
Thanks for yours and your mates sacrifices. I treasure my freedom.

[ypresman]

Originally Posted by ypresman

Hi
We just come back from Normandy and I think we did quite a lot in one day. We did Omaha beach (with the American Military cemetery), Port en Bessin, Longues battery, Arromanches with the Mulberry harbour(and the musuem), ver-ser-Mer, Courselles, Luc-sur-mer, walked along sword beach, Pegasus bridge(the cafe and musuem)and then onto the Merville battery...phew.
It was very exhausting, but very worthwhile, but I think the Merville Battery let it down in its overgrown and flooded bunkers.
The mulberry harbour is best seen when the tide goes out.
I have enclosed a few photos.....
Cheers
Marc.
1. Pegasus Bridge (not the original, that is in the musuem behind)
2.Brig Gen Theodore Roosevelt Jr last resting place.
3.Memorial/sculpture at Omaha beach
4.Some of the remains of Mulberry harbour (can only see it after tide out)
5.American Military cemetery at Omaha
6.Longues battery

Just bumping it up before its deleted....

[sapper]

You missed out the place where the greatest act of bravery took place on the whole invasion coast "Hillman" The huge German defence fortification that commanded a full view of Sword Beach, and where not one bomb or shell had landed.

This huge place was taken by the Third British Infantry Div. with my old Company Sappers in the lead.

If this action had been in the American sector, it would have been made into a "block buster" film. Whereas because they were British it was expected of them.
Sapper

[Mostonian]

Sapper, we had a bit of a nightmare with car hire and only had one for two days, so couldn't go everywhere.
We visited the American beaches, Bayeux and St Mere Eglise from our base in St. Lo, then stayed at Caen and drove to Pegasus by bus.
I'll definitely be going again to see the British and Canadian beaches, Hillman, Merville battery and the Point du Hoc which we passed but was so crowded that we couldn't get near.