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1-Day US Sites Tour
This 1-Day tour of the US sector will visit the main points of interest in and around the Utah and Omaha beach areas plus the 82nd and 101st Airborne drop zones. This is a wonderful tour, which covers many different aspects of the landings on D-Day through the ensuing coastal advance.
This tour serves as a great introduction to Normandy in June 1944 as seen through the eyes of the US landing forces and the German defenders.
* Crisbecq Battery
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*Ste-Mere-Église
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*Utah Beach
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*Pointe-du-Hoc
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*Omaha Beach
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*US Cemetery
Crisbecq Battery
The largest coastal battery along Utah Beach has 21 blockhouses linked by over 1 km of trenches spread over a 4-hectare site. Assaulted several times by troops of the American 1st Infantry Battalion (22nd Division) it held out for several days, the battery commander even ordering the guns at the nearby Azeville Battery to fire on his own position to help drive off the American assault. Over 300 German soldiers died defending this battery and over 300 US soldiers died trying to take the position, starkly demonstrating the importance of this large coastal battery.
Ste-Mère-Église
The early landings, on 6th June at 01.40 directly onto the town, resulted in heavy casualties for the US paratroopers. Some buildings in the town were on fire that night, and they illuminated the sky, making easy targets of the descending men. Some were sucked into the fire. Many hanging from trees and utility poles were shot before they could cut loose. The German defenders were alerted. A famous incident involved paratrooper John Steele of the 505th PIR, whose parachute caught on the spire of the town church, and could only observe the fighting going on below. He was injured by being shot in the ankle, captured by the Germans but later managed to escape and make his way back to the US lines. Later that morning, about 05.00, a force led by Lt. Colonel Edward C. Krause of the 505th PIR took the town with little resistance. Apparently the German garrison was confused and had retired for the rest of the night. However, heavy German counterattacks began later in the day and into the next. The lightly armed troops held the town until reinforced by tanks from nearby Utah Beach in the afternoon of June 7th.
Utah Beach
Utah beach was the success story for US forces on D-Day. Weak German resistance in the coastal area plus the airborne drops behind German lines helped to reduce casualties to fewer than any other beachhead (197 on D-Day). The only problem was that Utah was isolated from the other beaches, which meant the attacking troops would have to fight alone until a link-up with Omaha Beach landing forces could be established. Although the Airborne Divisions were scattered across the surrounding area by afternoon on the 6th June many had linked up with landing forces to secure the area. On Utah Beach you may see many coastal batteries, memorials and a fine museum.
Point-du-Hoc
A site of 25 hectares on top of a cliff 30m high. 700 tons of bombs were dropped on this Battery prior to D-Day to knock out the six 155mm guns and various lighter artillery emplacements. The garrison held over 200 German soldiers protected in shelters, linked by underground concrete tunnels and surrounded by barbed wire and mines. This position was to be attacked by the US 2nd Rangers Battalion under Colonel James Rudder. At 07.25 on D-Day 225 Rangers split into 3 companies and landed at the foot of the cliff armed with climbing gear to scale the cliffs and capture the position. After fierce resistance and heavy losses the battery was captured and held until relieved on 8th June.
Today you can see the battery as it was left with many bomb craters, smashed blockhouses, trenches and gun emplacements. There is also a new museum at the entrance and a memorial to the Rangers.
Omaha Beach
On 6th June 1944 the name Omaha Beach entered history when thousands of US soldiers laid down their lives in one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. With strong German resistance from 85 blockhouses on the high ground behind the beach and along the beach itself, the US 1st and 29th Infantry came under instant heavy fire sustaining very heavy losses. Eventually the heroics of various companies managed to secure a fragile beachhead just over a mile wide when the German ammunition became low. Many barges and tanks coming ashore had capsized and with over 1000 casualties on the beach and many more wounded or lost in the sea this was a very precarious situation.
However by the end of 7th June the beachhead was secure and troops had pushed inland and equipment could come ashore. Today you can walk along this famous beach and see the memorials for these brave men and some interesting museums.
Omaha Beach Cemetery (St Laurent/Coleville)
Standing above Omaha beach where the German defence line was on D-Day is the cemetery holding the graves of 9386 US soldiers. 307 of which are unknown. The thousands of white marble headstones make a dignified sight.
A circular chapel, a belvedere and memorial complete the sobering picture.
