Normandy

From Mont St Michel we drove north-east to the D-day invasion sites. On the way, we stopped at Mont-de-Huisnes, a German cemetery in sight of Mont St Michel. From there we went to St Mere Eglise, the site of American paratrooper landings on D-day. Here we toured the Airborne Museum, which commemorates these landings.  We ended the day at Utah beach and dinner in a pizzeria.

We began the next day with a short walk in Arromanches (where we were staying), seeing the remnants of the artificial harbor created here by the allies. This is one of two harbors created; the second (off Omaha beach) was destroyed in a storm 12 days after creation. We ended our sight seeing for the day at Omaha beach and the American cemetery near there at Colleville-sur-Mer.
Tomorrow morning will we take a ferry from Ouistreham to Portsmouth, ending our stay on the continent. (TS)

 Mont-de-Huisnes contains the graves of nearly 12,000 German war dead

The author, Maryrose, and mom in front of the church at St Mere Eglise. Note the paratrooper snagged on the bell tower. This figure represents John Steele, who found himself in this situation during the D-day invasion. 

Close up of the figure snagged on the bell tower. This is not the same corner on which John Steele was stuck. 

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A window in the church. Note the paratroopers.

The author, Maryrose, and mom in front of a Sherman tank at the Airborne Museum

A memorial on Utah beach

Maryrose, mom, and Nathaniel in front of the remnants of a pontoon bridge on Gold beach. The remains of the artificial harbor are in the background.

The author, Maryrose, and Nathaniel outside Arromanches, with the artificial harbor in the background.

Maryrose, mom, and Nathaniel in front of a German bunker on Omaha beach

Maryrose and mom in front of Omaha beach

The American cemetery near Omaha beach. Jewish soldiers have stars of David rather than crosses;

one is visible to the lower left of the conical tree on the right of the image. 

 The mosaic ceiling of the chapel at the American cemetery