Great stuff 
Nick
Nick
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Very nice Nick...
Must have been somehow sad to see fewer and fewer vets during those visits..
Thanks for posting.Comment
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The house shown is on the main square in St Mere Eglise opposite of the church. We were invited inside and the back yard of this house at one time had the famous green-house where a paratrooper crashed through the structure waking up the German billeted in the house.
In the movie The Longest Day its an officer who in his haste put his boots on backwards and gets shot later...That's a Hollywood fantasy.
According to the owner of the house (who put the plaque on the wall commemorating the battle and what took place in the back yard) explained to us what really happened; the German soldier (not an officer) captured the unlucky US paratrooper, but later surrendered his weapon back to the American when he realized that the battle was lost, reversing the POW situation.
So much history in that place.Last edited by NickG; 10-30-2014, 02:56 PM.Comment
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We also visited Battery Crisbecq, well worth it.
This gun battery was commanded by Walter Ohmsen a highly decorated Oberleutnant zur See in the Kriegsmarine.
On 6 June 1944 Ohmsen's battery engaged in heavy fighting and subsequently Ohmsen was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes) for the defense of the Crisbecq Battery against the American 4th Infantry Division, which landed on Utah Beach. The Knight's Cross was earned for his leadership engaging the US forces and eventual successful withdrawel after his ammunition ran out... Leaving 21 wounded German soldiers and 126 American prisoners behind, Ohmsen and 78 men broke through the American encirclement and reached the German lines at Aumeville, roughly 8 kilometers (5 mi) away. On 14 June, Ohmsen and his men reached the Morsalines battery, where he was decorated with the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross. The only Ritterkreuz earned during the war by a KM coastal artillery Battery commander!
Inside several bunkers they put artifacts and mannequins to recreate the living conditions of these Atlantic Wall defenders.Last edited by NickG; 10-30-2014, 02:56 PM.Comment
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Some more views (some are internet images btw, but no harm advertising this museum! ) A fun place as its an historical setting with artifacts and recreations of the conditions,
bringing it back to life! Here the medical bunker!Comment
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Another bunker! with kitchen/cooking supplies... bunks and weapons at readiness in another...etc...
You get the idea! Well worth the visit!
Note also the artifacts on display that were found in the surrounding areas after the bunkers were fully excavated and restored!Last edited by NickG; 10-30-2014, 03:12 PM.Comment
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Great pictures and story!!
Thanks For sharing
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