![our trip starts in historic Bayeux...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102107.M4MNzo3e.jpg) our trip starts in historic Bayeux... |
![...home of the famous tapestry](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102109.XuJtpQ7E.jpg) ...home of the famous tapestry |
![historic houses and buildings abound](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102110.l8pLVKqt.jpg) historic houses and buildings abound |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102111.mha8LsAG.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102111.mha8LsAG.jpg) |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102112.stQkGe7W.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102112.stQkGe7W.jpg) |
![around every corner is something ancient...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102113.3TyHUhyg.jpg) around every corner is something ancient... |
![...here, a gallo-roman wall beneath the ground](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102114.lQM3fnin.jpg) ...here, a gallo-roman wall beneath the ground |
![but there are also many reminders of WWII](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102115.khSFfXH4.jpg) but there are also many reminders of WWII |
![at the romanesque-gothic cathedral...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102116.gJzY9L6s.jpg) at the romanesque-gothic cathedral... |
![...vestiges of structure date from the 12th to 15th centuries](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102118.OSJ98UTQ.jpg) ...vestiges of structure date from the 12th to 15th centuries |
![inside, memorials to France's WWI dead and the British troops who fought here in 1944](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102119.rN44pxSs.jpg) inside, memorials to France's WWI dead and the British troops who fought here in 1944 |
![delicate stone reliefs distract us...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102120.EMrwh3d9.jpg) delicate stone reliefs distract us... |
![...and even remind us of the opposite of war](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102121.9l7luPKU.jpg) ...and even remind us of the opposite of war |
![time for a stroll through the old city streets](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102122.KNuPuNAD.jpg) time for a stroll through the old city streets |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102123.5pGx3TPM.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102123.5pGx3TPM.jpg) |
![it seems pretty quiet...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102124.siHssUNW.jpg) it seems pretty quiet... |
![...but at least a few citizens are on watch](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102125.E6lcB1Gy.jpg) ...but at least a few citizens are on watch |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102126.VlWdNk9Q.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102126.VlWdNk9Q.jpg) |
![here's the park where deGaulle spoke to the French people soon after D-Day](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102127.2zfefn6j.jpg) here's the park where deGaulle spoke to the French people soon after D-Day |
![this is one of many British military cemeteries in Normandy](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102128.TVymZqnv.jpg) this is one of many British military cemeteries in Normandy |
![here, more than 4500 British and Commonwealth soldiers were buried...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102129.lmdrvAgW.jpg) here, more than 4500 British and Commonwealth soldiers were buried... |
![...along with a smaller number of Allies and Germans...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102130.iT3pQtih.jpg) ...along with a smaller number of Allies and Germans... |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102131.NRYe7gtc.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102131.NRYe7gtc.jpg) |
![heading back into town at dusk...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102132.TFwoF2F6.jpg) heading back into town at dusk... |
![...it's pretty easy to keep our bearings](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102133.C2qDXzpi.jpg) ...it's pretty easy to keep our bearings |
![even after dark, getting around on foot is easy](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102134.lqqsuMp6.jpg) even after dark, getting around on foot is easy |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102135.OnHiDPfp.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102135.OnHiDPfp.jpg) |
![and if we get lost, there are helpful guides](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102136.pMcyUh1M.jpg) and if we get lost, there are helpful guides |
![the next day, we head first to Juno Beach near Courseulles-sur-Mer...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102137.O0mMUr7K.jpg) the next day, we head first to Juno Beach near Courseulles-sur-Mer... |
![...where Canadian and British troops fought to take or destroy the guns in the eastern half of the invasion](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102138.crfqQZNC.jpg) ...where Canadian and British troops fought to take or destroy the guns in the eastern half of the invasion |
![then we head west to Longues-sur-Mer...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102139.1CRpevAh.jpg) then we head west to Longues-sur-Mer... |
![...where a battery of several guns rises out of the mist](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102140.0RxgrYiJ.jpg) ...where a battery of several guns rises out of the mist |
![Tom stands over 6ft; these guns were huge](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102141.E2eCaSwW.jpg) Tom stands over 6ft; these guns were huge |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102142.rtfwUoZq.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102142.rtfwUoZq.jpg) |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102143.f7POffo3.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102143.f7POffo3.jpg) |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102144.ShKxNuqX.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102144.ShKxNuqX.jpg) |
![and in the surrounding area, underground communications boxes are still here](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102146.4ooGkiaW.jpg) and in the surrounding area, underground communications boxes are still here |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102147.PbVOWbhY.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102147.PbVOWbhY.jpg) |
![from Longues, we drive to the American military cemetery near Colleville-sur-Mer](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102148.j1B792y4.jpg) from Longues, we drive to the American military cemetery near Colleville-sur-Mer |
![about 40% of the American troops who fell in Normandy on D-Day and the difficult weeks which followed are gathered here](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102150.rrDndSVt.jpg) about 40% of the American troops who fell in Normandy on D-Day and the difficult weeks which followed are gathered here |
![the view out to Omaha Beach from the cemetery is foggy and quiet today](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102167.tE1Wxm9n.jpg) the view out to Omaha Beach from the cemetery is foggy and quiet today |
![more than 9000 graves are here...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102168.5yrrSycm.jpg) more than 9000 graves are here... |
![...and a memorial for more than 1500 forever missing](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102169.y9XDaJem.jpg) ...and a memorial for more than 1500 forever missing |
![many visitors leave markers...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102170.PmE7t0nR.jpg) many visitors leave markers... |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102171.5r4mdWSE.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102171.5r4mdWSE.jpg) |
![a small chapel stands at the center of the site](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102172.7Ax0W1kg.jpg) a small chapel stands at the center of the site |
![the ceiling mosaic depicts America sending a soldier ready to fight...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102174.1V9kRHHk.jpg) the ceiling mosaic depicts America sending a soldier ready to fight... |
![...and France embracing a fallen one](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102175.OxEM2zqh.jpg) ...and France embracing a fallen one |
![we visit Omaha Beach and then walk the battle-scarred bluff above Pointe du Hoc](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102176.SIA8pX9C.jpg) we visit Omaha Beach and then walk the battle-scarred bluff above Pointe du Hoc |
![the Pointe was the site of a fierce cliff-face battle on D-Day...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102178.Jv6jIeii.jpg) the Pointe was the site of a fierce cliff-face battle on D-Day... |
![...for the capture of these gun placements](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102179.iS6QqkXu.jpg) ...for the capture of these gun placements |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102180.tddiCrkq.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102180.tddiCrkq.jpg) |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102181.7arFL3GO.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102181.7arFL3GO.jpg) |
![from the installation...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102182.EF0DrJas.jpg) from the installation... |
![...the view over the Pointe and across the channel is long...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102183.zkvawS7Y.jpg) ...the view over the Pointe and across the channel is long... |
![...and the guns would have had wide coverage of the coastline](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102184.H3C4Pby5.jpg) ...and the guns would have had wide coverage of the coastline |
![our day ends at the German military cemetery near La Cambe](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102185.D1ehSMEk.jpg) our day ends at the German military cemetery near La Cambe |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102186.K3wmXDjk.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102186.K3wmXDjk.jpg) |
![over 20,000 soldiers lie here, killed in Normandy on and after D-Day](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102187.qLTYxlkD.jpg) over 20,000 soldiers lie here, killed in Normandy on and after D-Day |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102188.iutD7vZk.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102188.iutD7vZk.jpg) |
![some soldiers had yet to reach 18 years; others remain unidentified](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102189.6gBkaij3.jpg) some soldiers had yet to reach 18 years; others remain unidentified |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102190.5mK0tW0c.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102190.5mK0tW0c.jpg) |
![night falls as we depart](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102191.H7jAEZbK.jpg) night falls as we depart |
![the next day, we head for Utah Beach and its museum and memorials near La Madeleine](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102192.Zn3X51uY.jpg) the next day, we head for Utah Beach and its museum and memorials near La Madeleine |
![in the museum, some of the large equipment used in the landing](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102194.tCICLoie.jpg) in the museum, some of the large equipment used in the landing |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102195.EcKrdynq.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102195.EcKrdynq.jpg) |
![this nasty little thing was a remote-controlled mobile bomb](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102196.ckhFazsl.jpg) this nasty little thing was a remote-controlled mobile bomb |
![French-language information dropped by American planes to encourage people in the occupied towns](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102197.d61Ra9gH.jpg) French-language information dropped by American planes to encourage people in the occupied towns |
![detailed photos of all the landing sites were prepared in advance via dangerous spy missions](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102198.UZyLPQfT.jpg) detailed photos of all the landing sites were prepared in advance via dangerous spy missions |
![here's a display on the FAFL, French air forces which also supported the D-Day landings](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102199.RJz3LykZ.jpg) here's a display on the FAFL, French air forces which also supported the D-Day landings |
![here's some incentive to get the war over ASAP](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102200.8f1w8SDE.jpg) here's some incentive to get the war over ASAP |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102201.Dzlte8wK.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102201.Dzlte8wK.jpg) |
![these dresses were made for young French girls from US parachute cloth, and worn for celebrations one year after D-Day](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102202.QPqZhf9Q.jpg) these dresses were made for young French girls from US parachute cloth, and worn for celebrations one year after D-Day |
![a Sherman tank at the museum site](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102203.LVHjMpbW.jpg) a Sherman tank at the museum site |
!['kilometer zero' at the Utah Beach landing site: start of the 1944 Liberty Way](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102204.FDEmkUxg.jpg) 'kilometer zero' at the Utah Beach landing site: start of the 1944 Liberty Way |
![the Utah Beach memorial stands on the site of a captured gun placement, turned Allied communications post](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102205.gh9H0qVG.jpg) the Utah Beach memorial stands on the site of a captured gun placement, turned Allied communications post |
![everywhere in Normandy, French gratitude to American and Allied troops was and remains very strong](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102206.zhdNk75S.jpg) everywhere in Normandy, French gratitude to American and Allied troops was and remains very strong |
![Utah Beach is rather placid now](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102207.f3nXaoiD.jpg) Utah Beach is rather placid now |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102208.pdBpfCkB.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102208.pdBpfCkB.jpg) |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102209.xA5dOIfL.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102209.xA5dOIfL.jpg) |
![the small town of Ste-Marie-du-Mont was a complex battle site for paratroopers following D-Day](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102231.QxM9Cen0.jpg) the small town of Ste-Marie-du-Mont was a complex battle site for paratroopers following D-Day |
![today the town square remembers the time with many markers](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102232.OBStOoJN.jpg) today the town square remembers the time with many markers |
![every other house seems to have its own story](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102233.f0EgGlUj.jpg) every other house seems to have its own story |
![this water fountain was used as shelter by a US marksman during the fight for the town](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102234.Y32GkZZ4.jpg) this water fountain was used as shelter by a US marksman during the fight for the town |
![even with its long history, this town remembers its liberation most](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102235.LEW3OgTf.jpg) even with its long history, this town remembers its liberation most |
![nearby Ste-Mère-Église was also a target for paratroopers...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102236.r1kSeEQO.jpg) nearby Ste-Mère-Église was also a target for paratroopers... |
![...one of whom got stuck for a few hours](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102237.8oEqJZWi.jpg) ...one of whom got stuck for a few hours |
![the days of battle are remembered in the church windows](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102238.0QXZBn97.jpg) the days of battle are remembered in the church windows |
![looking at old photos around town...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102240.vsgrSCcN.jpg) looking at old photos around town... |
![...it's not hard to see the town as soldiers did...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102241.GUOcetQ3.jpg) ...it's not hard to see the town as soldiers did... |
![...and we wonder what other stories these streets know...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102242.4SL05Xff.jpg) ...and we wonder what other stories these streets know... |
![...or for that matter, all the towns on the Cherbourg peninsula](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102243.7AaYc3pF.jpg) ...or for that matter, all the towns on the Cherbourg peninsula |
![the next day, the sky is clearer and we return to Arromanches near Gold Beach](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102244.kHLQTgrK.jpg) the next day, the sky is clearer and we return to Arromanches near Gold Beach |
![there are still relics of the 'Mulberries' which made up the artificial harbor of Port Winston](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102245.EusUpGmC.jpg) there are still relics of the 'Mulberries' which made up the artificial harbor of Port Winston |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102246.Jx4VXPiU.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102246.Jx4VXPiU.jpg) |
![scars and fragments of war structures remain even up on this cliff](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102247.WonOdb3J.jpg) scars and fragments of war structures remain even up on this cliff |
![down in the town, the history museum has pieces of machinery...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102248.9wnDB3Cr.jpg) down in the town, the history museum has pieces of machinery... |
![...and pier parts brought from England in June 1944](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102249.3fnyMetD.jpg) ...and pier parts brought from England in June 1944 |
![pier pontoons and other hulks dot the beach and harbor](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102250.ow2Ojv1d.jpg) pier pontoons and other hulks dot the beach and harbor |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102251.ZVa9eFlC.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102251.ZVa9eFlC.jpg) |
![heading southwest toward Bretagne, we stop at the German ossuary near Huisnes-sur-Mer](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102252.R7KPFXmi.jpg) heading southwest toward Bretagne, we stop at the German ossuary near Huisnes-sur-Mer |
![the remains of some 12,000 WWII soldiers were brought here from around France](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102253.MzvlLjMo.jpg) the remains of some 12,000 WWII soldiers were brought here from around France |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102254.3VqCqyU8.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102254.3VqCqyU8.jpg) |
![g2/66/607666/3/147102255.WrawgxR1.jpg](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102255.WrawgxR1.jpg) |
![still too foggy to see Mont St. Michel](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102256.SLu5k7KV.jpg) still too foggy to see Mont St. Michel |
![we'll end our trip at the Caen Memorial and Peace Center](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102257.Zlneqh5X.jpg) we'll end our trip at the Caen Memorial and Peace Center |
![the museum starts its story with the end of WWI and the build-up into WWII](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102258.oTurmdRI.jpg) the museum starts its story with the end of WWI and the build-up into WWII |
![it of course covers the usual suspects...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102259.kAMpsSUi.jpg) it of course covers the usual suspects... |
![...but branches to discuss economic pressures, collaboration in all forms...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102260.A0fi2fNE.jpg) ...but branches to discuss economic pressures, collaboration in all forms... |
![...resistance in many forms...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102261.Hpdjkyrj.jpg) ...resistance in many forms... |
![...and the response to resistance around Europe...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102262.9ymaWYQB.jpg) ...and the response to resistance around Europe... |
![...propaganda by all involved governments...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102263.uWQSf2qk.jpg) ...propaganda by all involved governments... |
![...extermination of Jews...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102264.l9UysXkZ.jpg) ...extermination of Jews... |
![...and Roms...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102265.JkeD7F2r.jpg) ...and Roms... |
![...and communists](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102266.YzQEf443.jpg) ...and communists |
![the D-Day story is told again, with some new images and info for us](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102267.tyy9G0F7.jpg) the D-Day story is told again, with some new images and info for us |
![1945 is marked by a study of destroyed cities...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102268.Op0wEAr7.jpg) 1945 is marked by a study of destroyed cities... |
![...including London...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102270.deppj1Hj.jpg) ...including London... |
![...and Caen, where the memorial is now](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102271.ZWkkiVGL.jpg) ...and Caen, where the memorial is now |
![it's a topic much too large for one visit...](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147102272.IoemtTPm.jpg) it's a topic much too large for one visit... |
![panorama of the American military cemetery near Colleville-sur-Mer](https://a4.pbase.com/g2/66/607666/3/147175381.IlGey2Jq.jpg) panorama of the American military cemetery near Colleville-sur-Mer |