Pointe du Hoc Normandy France

Pointe du Hoc is a monument constructed by the French to honor the courageous assault on this German defense site above the American landing sites of Omaha and Utah beaches. The American Rangers were under the command of Lieutenant Colonel James E. Rudder. On 6 June 1944, the men climbed the 100-foot cliffs to disable the position.

The Rangers left their landing crafts at 7:10 a.m. and reached the top by 7:40 a.m. amidst heavy enemy fire.



A monument stone marks the event.

Photos of the site.

Additional Reading/ References

https://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/europe/pointe-du-hoc-ranger-monument


https://www.wwiifoundation.org/films/15128-2/

Connections

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D-Day The Battle of Merville Gun Battery

The Merville Gun Battery was part of the German “Atlantic Wall” defenses against an allied invasion. The Merville Gun Battery was assigned to a the British under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Terence Otway.

Otway’s parachute troops were scattered wide of the target. He began the assault just before 3:00 am on D-Day (6 June 1944) with about 150 of 540 troops. The actual attack began about 4:15 am. The fighting was fierce and included hand-to-hand combat. After about 20-minutes the Germans surrendered.

German Field Marshall Erwin Rommel ordered rapid completion of the site in March 1944. This site consisted of a command bunker, a trench system, and thick concrete casemates. The defense included a 20 mm anti-aircraft gun and several machine guns in an enclosed area surrounded by two fences of five (or six)-foot-high barbed wire, which was more than 10 feet wide. A minefield lay between the barbed wire fences. On the beach side was an anti-tank ditch, which was 10 feet deep and 14 feet wide.

  

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Publications (many free downloads)

     

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Additional Reading/ References

https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/daily/wwii/attack-on-the-merville-gun-battery-during-the-battle-of-normandy/

https://www.dday-overlord.com/en/battle-of-normandy/cities/merville-franceville

Sainte-Mère-Église Normandy France

Sainte-Mère-Église / Geoff Sutton 2012

Sainte-Mère-Église is a town in Northwest Normandy France. It has become well known for the site of early landings of American paratroopers at 01:40 am—about an hour after British troops took Pegasus Bridge.

Sainte-Mère-Église / Geoff Sutton 2012

Before the troops landed on the beaches, British and American paratroopers landed inland to attack strategic targets. This village, named after the historic church of St Mary, was on a route that would allow Germans to attack the American invasion force landing on Omaha and Utah beaches.

Inside the church, Sainte-Mère-Église/ Geoff Sutton 2012

The Americans were from the U.S. 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. Unfortunately, the town was on fire, which made the paratroopers visible thus many were killed before they landed. Some landed in trees. One well-known paratrooper hung from the church spire-- Private John Steele of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

Depiction of Steele/ Photo by Geoff Sutton 2012

Steele acted as if he were dead. He was taken down and kept as a prisoner. Later, he escaped. By 0500, the Americans took the town and held it until reinforcements arrived from Utah Beach the next day, 7 June.

Inside the church/ Sutton 2012

Steele is honoured by a nearby tavern, Auberge John Steele, near the town square.

Read More: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainte-M%C3%A8re-%C3%89glise 

Visiting the area: http://en.normandie-tourisme.fr/sainte-mere-eglise-565-2.html

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My Page    www.suttong.com

My Books   AMAZON     GOOGLE PLAY STORE

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Publications (many free downloads)

     

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Pegasus Bridge Benouville Normandy France

Pegasus Bridge, Normandy, France/ Geoff Sutton 2012

Pegasus Bridge represents an early D-Day success story for the allies. Shortly before midnight on 5 June 1944, the 6th British Airborne Division, under the command of Major John Howard, left Dorset in the south of England. Halifax bombers towed the gliders over the channel and unhooked the gliders who were able to land on time and within a few yards of each other.

British Glider / Geoff Sutton 2012

They landed early on the 6th June at 00:16. They overcame German resistance in 10 minutes. The bridge was captured intact over six hours before the beach landings. A message was sent back to England within 90 minutes. The first British solider of the Normandy invasion was killed by gunfire when they stormed the bridge, Lieutenant Den Brotheridge. The Gondrée family who owned one of the first houses liberated in France, honoured the soldier with a plaque in the nearby churchyard. Other soldiers are buried at a cemetery near Ranville.

 The British targeted two bridges between the Ouistreham beach and the important city of Caen. The British troops arrived in six Horsa gliders. Three took the Bénouville Bridge and the other three took the bridge at Ranville.

The operation took the Germans by surprise, but the troops had to work quickly and safely because the bridges were rigged with explosives. The charges were disabled by the Royal Engineers.

The bridge was renamed Pegasus in honour of the winged horse on the badge of the airmen. The old bridge was replaced in 1994 and is now in a museum park. The old Gondrée house is now a café and museum.

Pegasus Bridge Lift Mechanism/ Geoff Sutton 2012

Pegasus Bridge, a bascule (movable) bridge, was constructed in 1934. The bridge rolled back to lift the bridge above the water level. The bridge is over the Caen Canal and part of a direct route between the landing beaches and Caen. The bridge at Ranville is over the River Orne and was renamed Horsa Bridge—for the type of glider used by the troops.

Other photos from the grounds...

























There is no charge to see the museum.

Connections

My Page    www.suttong.com

My Books   AMAZON     GOOGLE PLAY STORE

FACEBOOK   Geoff W. Sutton

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Publications (many free downloads)

     

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British Museum London

The British Museum in London is a favourite place for many. The lines can be long during holidays and when special exhibits are featured. It's also a favourite place for school children on a mission to complete their lessons. However, I have always enjoyed my visits and found myself unable to see it all in one day.

The collections are organised in a few ways as you will see on the floor plan available on the website. Because there is so much to see, it is best to plan a visit. The exhibits are organised by parts of the world and by time period. Examples include The Americas, Africa, Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and Rome, and Europe. There are also themed collections such as Enlightenment and Living and Dying.

Exhibits from the ancient world are incredible.

Jehu pays tribute

Rosetta Stone

The Sutton Hoo Treasure is an amazing find ( I suppose I'm not related).

Travel notes

Location: Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3DG

Transportation: Several underground stations are nearby e.g., Russell Square and Holborn. Many busses stop nearby.

Security: There is a bag search and large luggage is not permitted- storage is available at nearby stations like Euston and Kings Cross

Food: There is food service in the Museum

Admission: Free general admission. Some exhibitions must be booked in advance-see the website

Website: https://www.britishmuseum.org/

You might like this fun and informative guide to British words and phrases.

Mind the Gap on AMAZON  and  GOOGLE

Churchill War Rooms London England

Winston Churchill & Tommy Gun*

The Churchill War Rooms are open most days and well worth a visit if you are interested in WWII history or British history. The website recommends allowing 90 minutes to visit this part of the Imperial War Museum

The entrance is opposite the beautiful James Park off Horse Guards Road. We enter a lower level of the War Office Building.

A guard reminds us of the incredible importance of secrecy and safety to the conduct of the war.




Offices include period furniture, wall maps, and depict activities related to the conduct of WWII.














Posters and story boards also give a sense of the war years.
















A bookstore with books, and various gifts are available.









































Travel notes

Location: Clive Steps, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AQ

Nearby Underground: St James's Park, Westminster.

Admission: There is a fee structure with some discounts. See the website

Food: A café serves traditional British meals.

Website: https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/churchill-war-rooms

You might like this fun and informative guide to British words and phrases.

Mind the Gap on AMAZON  and  GOOGLE

Imperial War Museum London England

Imperial War Museum London / Sutton 16 April 2016

Britain has been a part of the world's wars for centuries. The Imperial War Museum in London is worth a visit to understand the life of soldiers as well as the lives of those at home. Because the wars involved many world powers, there's much to learn about other nations as well. Of course, the machinery of war is also on display in the air and on the ground. Well worth a visit.

The presence of RAF planes hanging from the ceiling illustrate the size of the museum.

There are tanks and other large war machines and vehicles on display.

A number of story boards and posters explain or illustrate various exhibits.

From the simulated trench exhibit during the WWI centennial.

Exhibits include allied nations

Hours: The museum is open 10 - 6 daily except for 24, 25, 26 December

Admission: Free

Refreshments: A Cafe is available.

Toilets: They were well maintained when I visited.

Exhibits: These vary so check the website for details

Storage: Only small lockers are available.

Accessibility: See the website

Locations: This post is about the London site. There are other locations--see the website

London Address: Lambeth Road, London, SE1 6HZ

Website: https://www.iwm.org.uk/

You might like this fun and informative guide to British words and phrases.

Mind the Gap on AMAZON  and  GOOGLE