Remembering D-Day in Caen la Mer | EUROtoday

This yr is the eightieth anniversary of D-Day, and in case you are trying to pay your respects to those that made the last word sacrifice, head to Caen la Mer, on the coronary heart of the touchdown seashores in Normandy.

This space is wealthy in Second World War historical past and websites of remembrance, from Sword Beach and Pegasus Bridge to the numerous cemeteries the place the Fallen are honored.

1. The Caen Memorial Museum

Dedicated to the historical past of the twentieth century and constructed on a bunker used as a German command publish, the Caen Memorial Museum is a must-see. As you comply with the route across the museum, you’ll retrace the historical past of the D-Day landings and acquire a higher understanding of this momentous feat. You may go to General Richter's bunker and the underground tunnels, the place you’ll study extra concerning the historical past of the Second World War and the Battle of Normandy.

2. The Atlantic Wall Museum

The Big Bunker, housed in a former German fireplace path publish on the Atlantic Wall in Ouistreham, recreates the location simply because it was in 1944. Explore the faithfully reconstructed infirmary, ammunition depot and barracks and study all concerning the each day lifetime of the German troopers. At the highest of the 17m tower, the rangefinder publish seems to be out over the mouth of the River Orne. From right here you’ll be able to take within the view throughout the D-Day touchdown seashores.

3. The No. 4 Commando Museum

Tea No. 4 Commando Museum is devoted to the Franco-British troopers of the Kieffer, the landings on Sword Beach, and particularly, and the seize of Ouistreham on line casino by the French commandos led by Kieffer. The many genuine objects on show right here have been donated by British and French veterans and their households.

4. Pegasus Bridge

Pegasus Bridge is the identify given to the bridge at Bénouville to honor the British paratroopers whose emblem was Pegasus, a winged horse. It was on the evening of June 5 to six, 1944, that the army operation Pegasus Bridge, then often called Operation Coup de important, was launched. The mission was to land in gliders close to the bridges with the intention to get better them, because the Germans had seized them. The Bénouville bridge was the primary to be liberated in a mission which led to the liberation of Caen. The bridge was changed and the unique may be seen within the Pegasus Memorial Parkwhich tells the story of the sixth British Airborne Division which parachuted right here.

5. The Hillman Fortress

Built by the Germans between 1942 and 1944 with the intention to defend their positions, this bunker advanced and command publish close to Colleville-Montgomery is among the largest, with 18 bunkers throughout a 24-hectare website, full with underground constructions. The website can be the memorial of the first Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment, which took the location on June 6, 1944. The Hillman Fortress can be wealthy in historical past, with many interval objects and clothes on show.

6. D-Day touchdown seashores

Sword Beach is among the 5 D-Day touchdown seashores and is the seashore the place the French landed on June 6, 1944 within the type of Commando Kieffer and its 177 troopers. Here you’ll be able to take a quiet second and ponder what unfolded right here and the liberation of Ouistreham by the Franco-British which adopted. There are quite a lot of tour operators providing day journeys from Caen to find the D-Day touchdown seashores.

7. Military cemeteries

Caen la Mer has 4 Commonwealth conflict cemeteries. The one at Hermanville-sur-Mer is a stone's throw from Sword Beach. Those at Saint-Manvieu-Norrey, Cambes en Plaine and Burps aren’t removed from Caen. They are all locations of calm and peace which invite you to replicate and keep in mind.

8. The unbelievable story of Bill Millin

Piper Bill Millin was a Canadian bagpipe participant who was private piper to Simon Fraser, fifteenth Lord Lovat, commander of the British 1 Special Service Brigade. To assist give his fellow troopers energy and braveness, he performed bagpipes on the seashore on June 6, 1944. He is featured within the movie The Longest Day and there’s a statue of Millin close to Sword Beach, whereas his bagpipes are on show on the Pegasus Memorial Museum.

9. D-Day Wings Museum

The solely museum in Normandy devoted to the plane and air operations of D-Day, the D-Day Wings Museum in Bretteville-sur-Odon affords guests the prospect to climb aboard machines resembling bomber turrets, fighter cockpits and C-47s. You may go to the D-Day plane restoration workshop.

10. 'La Délicate', an immersive stroll 0f Remembrance

This is an audio-guided tour made potential with the assistance of a geolocalized umbrella, which you’ll be able to choose up from Ouistreham Riva-Bella Tourist Information Office. Travel again in time as you stroll alongside, listening to the voices of the previous and the tales of the individuals who lived via the Occupation and the D-Day landings in Ouistreham and Colleville-Montgomery. It's an unforgettable expertise.

For extra data, go to www.caenlamer-tourisme.com