We sailed into La Havre port on Tuesday morning and spent the first half of the day driving to the campsite at Bayeux. After setting up camp, we spent the afternoon and evening touring the coast.

BATTERY
at Pointe-du-Hoc

First port of call was the coastal battery at Pointe-du-Hoc. The 155mm guns received intense bombardment. The whole area is severely cratered as can be seen in the picture to the right. One destroyed emplacement still entombs its crew and is now a memorial to those lost on both sides during June 6th. 

OMAHA D-DAY MUSEUM
near Pointe-du-Hoc

Situated not far from Pointe-du-Hoc is the Omaha D-Day Museum. In addition to numerous small items on display in the building, there are two landing craft, several pieces of artillery, the gun from a Panther tank and several beach landing obstructions. 

OMAHA BEACH

Omaha Beach, It's hard to imagine the events of June 6th 1944, with families enjoying the sea front and beach. Even so, it is still an emotional experience looking out over the miles of sand, trying to picture thousands of soldiers making the first steps towards the freedom of Europe. "Jessie" makes an appearance at a now peaceful "Bloody Omaha" 

OMAHA BEACH MUSEUM
at St-Laurent-sur-Mer

Situated a few hundred yards back from the beach, the museum has many dioramas showing scenes and items from the invasion. Also on display are a LCVP landing craft, Sherman M4 and an American M1 155mm heavy artillery gun. 

BATTERY
at Longues-sur-Mer

Situated to the west of Arromanches, the battery of four 150mm guns overlooks the coast from a 200 feet high cliff. The guns were silenced on D-Day by the Allied Fleet and the Garrison surrendered to the British the following day. As can be seen, the guns survive to this day. 

MULBURY 'B' HARBOUR
at Arromanches

Before any French ports were captured, two temporary harbours were constructed, one being at Arromanches. A severe storm destroyed the American built Mulbury 'A' and damaged the British Mulbury 'B'. The two square mile harbour 'B' was repaired and supplied the allies advances. Several parts of the concrete breakwater still survive to be seen at low tide. 

The picture to the right shows several sections of one of these road bridges now on display on the road down to the beach at Arromanches. A further section can be seen outside the "Musee Du Debarquement" on the sea front.