Day 5 - Europe 2013

This morning we left the Ferry (what a horrible night's sleep) and headed towards Caen. We stopped at the Pegasus Bridge which is where the first gliders and soldiers landed and where the first liberation occurred at the Cafe Gondree.

 

The bridge was considered a key bridge for the allies to take control of, thereby allowing an access point for them and shutting of the Germans ability to utlize the bridge. Men came in first via gliders that basically broke apart as they landed. If any men survived the landing, then they fought.

This Cafe was the first building liberated by the Allies and was just off of the Pegasus Bridge. A young girl that worked in the Cafe at the time of D-Day is now a much older lady that still works there. She waited on our group.  

We visited the Caen Memorial. The museum was fantastic and included a wonderful movie depicting, via split screen, the activity of the Allies and the activities of the Germans. I had noticed on the way in the museum that there were carvings on the walls of the entrance and glass angled down so we could see ourselves as we entered. I asked our guide but he did not know what it represented. He asked and brought back the answer. The carvings represented the Nazi defenses in the area and the symbolism was that as we entered and learned we were breaching the Nazi defenses. Powerful.

We met a new tour guide, Meg, for the visits of the significant invasion sites and cemeteries. 

We visited various beaches where the Allies came to shore on D-Day and learned and saw the German defenses and the many obstacles the Allies faced. We learned of diversion tactics used to fool the Germans. We were visiting just after the actual date of D-Day so there were still reenactments in place and we would see troops and jeeps from time to time.

 

This circular area was the turning circle for the Nazi guns positioned at the beaches. The Allies bombed incessantly trying to destroy them and the craters from the bombings are still evident.

 

Aaron took the opportunity to put his feet in another body of water. He is keeping track of the various oceans, lakes, etc. that he has visited.

We then visited the American Cemetery in Normandy. It was a very moving visit. The weather has been very cold and windy which has been very fitting.

We traveled to the country and stayed in the Chateau du Baffy, a beautiful simple place. It made for a quiet and restful evening. The staff were wonderful and a group played cards all evening including Raj, Mary, Sonu, Christian, Amanda, Delaney and Sarah.