2 Day American Sector
La Fiere - Described by an official US Military Historian as "Probably one of the bloodiest small unit actions in American Military Historian". Located only 2 miles West of Sainte-Mère-Église, this location witnessed some of the toughest fighting by the 82nd Airborne division during its entire World War II history. Here you will learn of soldiers personal accounts of what happened.
Sainte-Mère-Église - The first town to be liberated in the early hours of D Day, 6th June 1944. The town was defended and fought over by the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. There are lots of stories in and around the town including John Steele who hung from the church steeple and was made famous by "The Longest Day" film.
At your own expense, a visit to the Airborne Museum.
Bocage - Hedgerows - Travel through the hedgerow countryside and the battlefields and listen to the stories, so that you get a better understanding of the hedgerows, and the challenges that they had to overcome that lead to the breakout of Normandy.
Beuzeville-au-Plain - is a small commune just North of Sainte-Mère-Église, this is the crash site of a C47 Aircraft that contained a stick of Paratroopers and Lieutenant Thomas Meehan, the commander of Easy Company (Brand of Brothers). The aircraft was hit with an anti aircraft flare and crashed in a field next to the commune killing all the Paratroopers and the aircrew on board.
Prisoner of War Camp - Foucarville - This site became known as Continental Central Enclosure N°19. it became the home of over 40,000 German soldiers, which also included 218 Generals, and even 6 Admirals. They had more luxuries than the local villages.
Utah Beach- This was one of the first beach landing on the morning of the 6th June 1944 (D Day). Prior to the invasion, this beach is where heavy casualties were anticipated. Learn how leadership and the soliders' initiative would overcome the problems and make it one of the most successful beach landing.
Brecourt Manor - Made famous by the "Band of Brother's", led by Lt Dick Winters. Originally this site was a small farm complex which had 4 German Field Guns situated in the field next to the farm. Lt Dick Winters and the men of Easy Company used "Fire and Manoeuver" tactics to cpature the guns that were hampering the Utah Beach landings. This stop includes personal accounts of the men.
Saint-Marie-du-Mont - is situated several miles behind Utah Beach, and next to Drop Zone C for 506th Parachute Infantry regiment, 101st Airborne Division. This beautiful village became the headquarters of the 101st Airborne Division, and experienced some heavy fighting in an around the village. learn of the mens personal accounts.
Angoville-au-Plain – is a quiet village, next to Drop Zone D of the 101st Airborne Division. In the centre of the village is the church, it is here that you will learn the story of the two medics, a Robert Wright and Kenneth Moore. Against all odds they treated and cared for 80 wounded American paratroopers and a few German's in this make shift aid station. This is a truly remarkable story not to be missed.
La Cambe - German Cemetery – This is one of six German cemeteries here in Normandy. Spread over 17 acres. There are 21,222 German soldiers laid to rest here, and their ages range from 16 – 72 years old. The site is managed and maintained by the German war graves comission.
Pointe du Hoc- Deamed to be one of the most toughest assaults during the second world war. Hear the story of how the 2nd Ranger Battalion lead by Cornel James Rudder who managed to lead his men up the 100ft cliffs against all odds, and managed to knockout the German defences, and hold off German counter attack until his reinforcements arrived. Visit the bunkers and look at the devastation caused by the allied bombs and shells.
Omaha Beach - Learn about how the 1st Infantry Division and the 29th Infantry Division came ashore on this beach, and how they fell into the brutal hands of the Germans, and against all odds, overcame the problems before them, and after many hours of battle they managed to get a foot hold on this beach.
The Normandy American Cemetery - This amazing site is spread over 172 acres, and is the final resting place of 9387 of your American Service Men and Women. You will be guided through the cemetery and hear some powerful and moving accounts of some of those laid to rest in this iconic, and beautiful and awe inspiring memorial.
Often Duncan makes other little stops at memorials, not listed on this itinerary.
Sainte-Mère-Église - The first town to be liberated in the early hours of D Day, 6th June 1944. The town was defended and fought over by the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. There are lots of stories in and around the town including John Steele who hung from the church steeple and was made famous by "The Longest Day" film.
At your own expense, a visit to the Airborne Museum.
Bocage - Hedgerows - Travel through the hedgerow countryside and the battlefields and listen to the stories, so that you get a better understanding of the hedgerows, and the challenges that they had to overcome that lead to the breakout of Normandy.
Beuzeville-au-Plain - is a small commune just North of Sainte-Mère-Église, this is the crash site of a C47 Aircraft that contained a stick of Paratroopers and Lieutenant Thomas Meehan, the commander of Easy Company (Brand of Brothers). The aircraft was hit with an anti aircraft flare and crashed in a field next to the commune killing all the Paratroopers and the aircrew on board.
Prisoner of War Camp - Foucarville - This site became known as Continental Central Enclosure N°19. it became the home of over 40,000 German soldiers, which also included 218 Generals, and even 6 Admirals. They had more luxuries than the local villages.
Utah Beach- This was one of the first beach landing on the morning of the 6th June 1944 (D Day). Prior to the invasion, this beach is where heavy casualties were anticipated. Learn how leadership and the soliders' initiative would overcome the problems and make it one of the most successful beach landing.
Brecourt Manor - Made famous by the "Band of Brother's", led by Lt Dick Winters. Originally this site was a small farm complex which had 4 German Field Guns situated in the field next to the farm. Lt Dick Winters and the men of Easy Company used "Fire and Manoeuver" tactics to cpature the guns that were hampering the Utah Beach landings. This stop includes personal accounts of the men.
Saint-Marie-du-Mont - is situated several miles behind Utah Beach, and next to Drop Zone C for 506th Parachute Infantry regiment, 101st Airborne Division. This beautiful village became the headquarters of the 101st Airborne Division, and experienced some heavy fighting in an around the village. learn of the mens personal accounts.
Angoville-au-Plain – is a quiet village, next to Drop Zone D of the 101st Airborne Division. In the centre of the village is the church, it is here that you will learn the story of the two medics, a Robert Wright and Kenneth Moore. Against all odds they treated and cared for 80 wounded American paratroopers and a few German's in this make shift aid station. This is a truly remarkable story not to be missed.
La Cambe - German Cemetery – This is one of six German cemeteries here in Normandy. Spread over 17 acres. There are 21,222 German soldiers laid to rest here, and their ages range from 16 – 72 years old. The site is managed and maintained by the German war graves comission.
Pointe du Hoc- Deamed to be one of the most toughest assaults during the second world war. Hear the story of how the 2nd Ranger Battalion lead by Cornel James Rudder who managed to lead his men up the 100ft cliffs against all odds, and managed to knockout the German defences, and hold off German counter attack until his reinforcements arrived. Visit the bunkers and look at the devastation caused by the allied bombs and shells.
Omaha Beach - Learn about how the 1st Infantry Division and the 29th Infantry Division came ashore on this beach, and how they fell into the brutal hands of the Germans, and against all odds, overcame the problems before them, and after many hours of battle they managed to get a foot hold on this beach.
The Normandy American Cemetery - This amazing site is spread over 172 acres, and is the final resting place of 9387 of your American Service Men and Women. You will be guided through the cemetery and hear some powerful and moving accounts of some of those laid to rest in this iconic, and beautiful and awe inspiring memorial.
Often Duncan makes other little stops at memorials, not listed on this itinerary.