Our D-Day Experience
Normandy Region
“Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization and to set free a suffering humanity.”
Rachel sitting on a German bunker overlooking Omaha beach.
When we began planning our itinerary for France, a tour of the D-Day beaches and museums was on the top of my bucket list! So much of American history was shaped by what happened on those beaches and in the months that followed. We wanted our girls to learn about that history by walking in the path of the soldiers that carried out Operation Overlord.
Bayeux Museum
Our day began at the Musée Mémorial de la Bataille de Normandie in Bayeux. There was so much history to read about. Thankfully, alongside the French descriptions, there was an English translation of almost every display so that we could easily take in all that information. The girls learned about the generals, the plans, the preparation, and the work that went into Operation Overlord. They were surprised to learn that D-Day wasn’t just a one-day event but an operation that included multiple battles which raged on for 11 months before France was liberated! We walked among photographs, memorabilia, heavy equipment, and weapons that told the story of the events and their impact on Europe and the rest of the world. Our trip to the museum helped to put into perspective what we would see on the beaches and to understand the sacrifice made by those buried in the cemetery we would tour.
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Gold Beach at Arromanches
After a break for a delicious French lunch of baguette sandwiches, Croque Monsieurs, and pizza fromage, we headed to Arromanches les Bains (Gold Beach) to see the remains of one of the makeshift Mulberry harbours. Gold Beach was the objective of the 50th division (Northumbrian) of the British 2nd Army. The British built huge floating concrete walls and piers to form and define the Mulberry “B” harbour. This floating port allowed for the unloading of heavy equipment, tanks, and artillery while waiting for the liberation of the deeper water ports in Le Havre and Cherbourg. Sections of the floating port remain for visitors to view almost 80 years later, like a concrete skeleton rising from the sea. It was surreal to see it in person!
Rachel looking out at the remnants of Mulberry “B” Harbour.
Normandy American Cemetery
From Gold Beach, we headed to the Normandy American Cemetery at Omaha Beach. This is the site of the first American cemetery on European soil in WWII. It covers 172.5 acres and contains the graves of 9,386 of our military killed in WWII. Most of these soldiers lost their lives in the D-Day landings and ensuing operations. On the Walls of the Missing on the east side of the memorial are inscribed 1,557 names of those missing in action. Rosettes mark the names of those since recovered and identified. Many of the soldiers who survived the landings have chosen to have their remains brought back, upon their death, to be buried here at Omaha alongside their fellow soldiers, brothers, and friends.
The Normandy Visitor Center was dedicated by the American Battle Monuments Commission on June 6th, 2007, the 63rd anniversary of the D-Day landings. At certain intervals the sound system in the cemetery plays “The Star-Spangled Banner,” followed by “Taps.” The solemn location and the simple musical tribute had a profound effect on all of the adults and even brought Ellie to tears. When it had concluded, we explained to Rachel and Sophie the significance of the “Taps” bugle call, which they had never heard before, and why it was so moving for us.
We spent time at the monument looking at all the details of the shared landing initiatives of the American, British, and Canadian forces as well as their military operations with the help of the French. It was overwhelming to look at those giant maps and follow the coordinated efforts. All these plans were cleverly executed decades before GPS, using just radar, bombsights, gyroscope technology, and around 17 million maps.
We saw countless markers for men whose identities are still unknown. Walking among the graves was a somber experience for all of us that inspired much reflection. Aside from Pearl Harbor, all of WWII was fought entirely overseas. Having the opportunity to travel to France and walk through buildings and beaches that still bear the scars was truly a humbling honor and privilege we were thankful to have.
Omaha Beach
After our time at the cemetery, we took a short drive to access Omaha Beach. We were blessed to be almost entirely alone and took some time to walk the quiet beach, look up at the wooded hillside where the cemetery stands, and imagine what our soldiers must have endured. We explored a German bunker, situated on the hillside overlooking the wide open beach below, and took in the serenity of this hallowed ground. What an amazing experience it was to walk the same beaches that the Allied Forces did in 1944 during such a significant time in US and World history. It truly brought to life the sacrifice, the coordination, and the fierce resolve of the troops that were tasked with this enormous effort.
We could have spent much more time exploring all the history captured in this area of France. There are a few places that you will visit in your lifetime that will make a huge impression on you, something that no history book or documentary could ever accomplish. This was a full day of immersive learning that none of us will forget! We hope that you’ll put these locations on your bucket list for your visit to the Normandy Region of France!
The wide, peaceful, & solemn expanse of Omaha Beach
