Visiting D-Day Beaches: Advice & Tips on Visiting the Normandy Beaches - Wolters World
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Date: 2022-02-04
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Comments and reviews: 10
EarlJohn61
On a personal note, I would be more interested in the Flanders area (from WW1.
One of my great Uncles was killed about 1 month before the Armistice was signed & is buried near there.
As one of my 2nd cousins put up on Facebook:
On the morning of 3 October 1918 in northern France, my great uncle, Edwin Clapp, set off with his mates from the 27th Battalion and walked towards the front line. It was just after dawn and their mission was to break the Beaurevoir Line once and for all.
Their own artillery had begun firing when a shell hit Edwin and a few others. They fell on the French soil and left their blood amongst it. Edwin was patched up as best they could and the stretcher bearers took him to the dressing station. There he lay, talking about getting to Blighty, and there he died from blood loss. He was 34 years old.
Two of his mates, Pumpa and Norton were also killed. Someone buried them together and put a sign on the cross. In 1920 they were exhumed and moved to a war grave in the quiet village of Villers-Faucon near Peronne. They are buried side by side.
After that event the 27th was withdrawn from the front line, never to return.
The Hindenburg Line was broken as a result.
Edwins two brothers, Bert and Wes, were later to return home not knowing of their brothers death until they disembarked in Adelaide.
Edwin did not have children, nor did he marry. Yet his family then and those since who never met him, take pride in having a family member who gave the ultimate sacrifice. He is our hero and I dont ever use that word lightly.
Pte Edwin Clapp, #5323, 27th
KIA 3. 10. 1918
Lest we forget
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On a personal note, I would be more interested in the Flanders area (from WW1.
One of my great Uncles was killed about 1 month before the Armistice was signed & is buried near there.
As one of my 2nd cousins put up on Facebook:
On the morning of 3 October 1918 in northern France, my great uncle, Edwin Clapp, set off with his mates from the 27th Battalion and walked towards the front line. It was just after dawn and their mission was to break the Beaurevoir Line once and for all.
Their own artillery had begun firing when a shell hit Edwin and a few others. They fell on the French soil and left their blood amongst it. Edwin was patched up as best they could and the stretcher bearers took him to the dressing station. There he lay, talking about getting to Blighty, and there he died from blood loss. He was 34 years old.
Two of his mates, Pumpa and Norton were also killed. Someone buried them together and put a sign on the cross. In 1920 they were exhumed and moved to a war grave in the quiet village of Villers-Faucon near Peronne. They are buried side by side.
After that event the 27th was withdrawn from the front line, never to return.
The Hindenburg Line was broken as a result.
Edwins two brothers, Bert and Wes, were later to return home not knowing of their brothers death until they disembarked in Adelaide.
Edwin did not have children, nor did he marry. Yet his family then and those since who never met him, take pride in having a family member who gave the ultimate sacrifice. He is our hero and I dont ever use that word lightly.
Pte Edwin Clapp, #5323, 27th
KIA 3. 10. 1918
Lest we forget
reply
Joshua
My grandfather landed on Omaha Beach on D+1. He was with the V Corps artillery, which could not land until the beachhead had been secured. Every year around June 6 he would start telling stories about his experiences in France during the war. My grandfather died just two weeks ago, at age 96. My soon-to-be-adopted, 16 year old son and I will be visiting Normandy in July of this year. We have been planning the trip since last summer, and we had of course planned to visit the D-Day beaches. However, our planning has taken on a new element of poignancy since my grandfather died. I am basically accepting that I will probably break down and start sobbing in front of my son when we get to Omaha Beach.
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My grandfather landed on Omaha Beach on D+1. He was with the V Corps artillery, which could not land until the beachhead had been secured. Every year around June 6 he would start telling stories about his experiences in France during the war. My grandfather died just two weeks ago, at age 96. My soon-to-be-adopted, 16 year old son and I will be visiting Normandy in July of this year. We have been planning the trip since last summer, and we had of course planned to visit the D-Day beaches. However, our planning has taken on a new element of poignancy since my grandfather died. I am basically accepting that I will probably break down and start sobbing in front of my son when we get to Omaha Beach.
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MrGymm56
Well said and I agree Bayeux is the best place to stay in the area. I am from the UK and I believe that every young person should come and note the ages of those who died. Many of a similar age. Whilst visiting the British cemetery in Bayeux I came across an inscription which I translated later. It goes something like this. We invaded you in 1066 and you liberated us in 1944. Of course the allies were involved in Europe with the liberation but many Norman locals extend their gratitude today and its humbling.
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Well said and I agree Bayeux is the best place to stay in the area. I am from the UK and I believe that every young person should come and note the ages of those who died. Many of a similar age. Whilst visiting the British cemetery in Bayeux I came across an inscription which I translated later. It goes something like this. We invaded you in 1066 and you liberated us in 1944. Of course the allies were involved in Europe with the liberation but many Norman locals extend their gratitude today and its humbling.
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Dave
Caen is a nice city to stay in, with one of the better museums. Read histories of D- Day before going to the area for a good base of knowing what happened. Spend time walking along the beaches and bunkers, many not seen by a lot of tourists, the museums are fine but spending time where the soldiers walked is important. Many of the roads in the area are named after GIs killed in the battle. Small memorials for the soldiers are sprinkled throughout the towns and villages. Talk to the locals.
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Caen is a nice city to stay in, with one of the better museums. Read histories of D- Day before going to the area for a good base of knowing what happened. Spend time walking along the beaches and bunkers, many not seen by a lot of tourists, the museums are fine but spending time where the soldiers walked is important. Many of the roads in the area are named after GIs killed in the battle. Small memorials for the soldiers are sprinkled throughout the towns and villages. Talk to the locals.
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Diana
My father was on those beaches and he had a girlfriend there but she got killed in a bombing attack so sad, he said he felt like he was there before. He was pretty messed up after the war he never talked about it much he passed in 2003. I've been doing our family tree and come to find out his ancestors were from Normandy he was French through and through know wonder it felt like home to him. I hope to go there one day.
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My father was on those beaches and he had a girlfriend there but she got killed in a bombing attack so sad, he said he felt like he was there before. He was pretty messed up after the war he never talked about it much he passed in 2003. I've been doing our family tree and come to find out his ancestors were from Normandy he was French through and through know wonder it felt like home to him. I hope to go there one day.
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Nat
Ive been watching the D-Day celebrations today and remember my Grandad John Willcox who landed on Gold beach all those years ago. Ive been crying on and off for most of the morning. Seeing those old Vets in their 90s crying just really got me, the things they must of seen, just horrific Im sure?
Im glad Im in good company and thanks for your video. seeing you welling up started me off again. Xx
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Ive been watching the D-Day celebrations today and remember my Grandad John Willcox who landed on Gold beach all those years ago. Ive been crying on and off for most of the morning. Seeing those old Vets in their 90s crying just really got me, the things they must of seen, just horrific Im sure?
Im glad Im in good company and thanks for your video. seeing you welling up started me off again. Xx
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travel
The best museums for overall picture of D-day+Battle of Normandy are the Bayeux 'Battle of Normandy' museum and the Arromanches museum (Gold beach. The museums at Utah beach and airborne museum at St mere Eglise are much better than anything at Omaha tbh. Also Merville gun battery, especially for the real simulation experience in the bunker!
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The best museums for overall picture of D-day+Battle of Normandy are the Bayeux 'Battle of Normandy' museum and the Arromanches museum (Gold beach. The museums at Utah beach and airborne museum at St mere Eglise are much better than anything at Omaha tbh. Also Merville gun battery, especially for the real simulation experience in the bunker!
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jet0577
We are planning on taking this trip in August probably staying in Bayeux. What is the ideal time to take, as far as how many days would be sufficient to comfortably see the beaches and such. We don't want to stay long but not be in a hurry either. We have another itinerary of visiting England.
Would 2 days be good? Or 3? Thanks
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We are planning on taking this trip in August probably staying in Bayeux. What is the ideal time to take, as far as how many days would be sufficient to comfortably see the beaches and such. We don't want to stay long but not be in a hurry either. We have another itinerary of visiting England.
Would 2 days be good? Or 3? Thanks
reply
Tarragon
Im going around Europe to visit WWII monuments and we will end the trip at the Canadian World War Cemetery where there will be a ceremony with the Prime Minister of Canada, Queen Elizabeth II and other royals, and the Prime Minister of France! I love the history in Europe.
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Im going around Europe to visit WWII monuments and we will end the trip at the Canadian World War Cemetery where there will be a ceremony with the Prime Minister of Canada, Queen Elizabeth II and other royals, and the Prime Minister of France! I love the history in Europe.
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Mark
My grandfather was at Utah beach. He only talked about the war once to my mother when she was little. My uncle visited Omaha and Utah beach about 10 years back. I will get there one day. Thank you for the info and for the genuine compassion you showed in this video.
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My grandfather was at Utah beach. He only talked about the war once to my mother when she was little. My uncle visited Omaha and Utah beach about 10 years back. I will get there one day. Thank you for the info and for the genuine compassion you showed in this video.
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