5 (9)
Mont-St-Michel
Normandy D-Day Tour: American Airborne Experience
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Overview
The American 101st & 82nd Paratroopers in Normandy battlefield tour takes guests on a powerful journey through history. It follows in the footsteps of the brave American paratroopers who fought during the D-Day invasion in Normandy. This tour offers a unique look at this important event, with access to hidden spots and untold stories of courage and sacrifice.
Visitors will explore iconic locations like Sainte-Mère-Église, known for its paratrooper hanging from the church spire. The tour also includes a visit to Angoville-au-Plain, where two medics selflessly cared for the wounded. Guests can expect a moving experience, hearing personal stories from locals and experts, making the history come alive. The tour goes beyond the usual sites, offering unique insights into the war and the people who fought there.
This tour includes private transportation and bottled water for comfort. Lunch is not included, allowing for flexibility. Key stops are Sainte-Mère-Église, the Crash Site of Lt. Thomas Meehan's C-47 Skytrain, a German POW Camp near Sainte-Mère-Église, and a German Mobile Battery near Utah Beach. Other sites include Sainte-Marie-du-Mont Church, Angoville-au-Plain Church, Ingouff Farm (Purple Heart Lane), the 82nd Airborne Division Roadblock, Pfc. William 'Bill' Tucker's Hamlet, The Crossroads of Loss, Drop Zone T, Cauquigny Chapel, and La Fière Bridge. It's a deep dive into a crucial moment in World War II. 
Highlights
Walk in the Footsteps of Heroes: Experience the D-Day landing zones and battlefields.
Exclusive Access: Discover hidden historical gems and untold stories.
Expert Guides: Learn from knowledgeable historians and local experts.
Private Transportation: Travel comfortably between historical sites.
Sentiment Analysis
Customers find the tour deeply moving and informative, appreciating the knowledgeable guides and exclusive access. The tour's length and the lack of included lunch were minor concerns.
Knowledgeable guides made history come alive.
Personal stories added an emotional connection to the sites.
Exclusive access to hidden gems provided a unique experience.
The tour was well-organized and efficient.
Some found the tour length tiring.
Lunch not included in the tour package.
The Journey
Sainte-Mère-Église
Step into Sainte-Mère-Église, the first village liberated in Normandy, and experience a living monument to the 82nd Airborne Division. Visit the iconic church where paratrooper John Steele's ordeal unfolded, marked by a poignant effigy hanging from the steeple. Inside, admire the stained-glass windows honoring the fallen paratroopers. Explore the village square, adorned with monuments, and observe the bullet-scarred walls that silently bear witness to the intense fighting during the liberation. Sainte-Mère-Église offers a powerful glimpse into the heroism and sacrifice of D-Day.
Crash Site of Lt. Thomas Meehan's C-47 Skytrain
Pay homage at the monument dedicated to the tragic loss of Lt. Thomas Meehan and his Easy Company paratroopers (506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division), immortalized in 'Band of Brothers.' This site commemorates the C-47 Skytrain crash that claimed their lives before they could reach the battlefields. Reflect on the immense sacrifices made by these brave soldiers in the initial airborne assault that paved the way for the D-Day landings.
German POW Camp near Sainte-Mère-Église
Explore the remnants of one of Normandy's largest German Prisoner of War camps. This site once housed over 40,000 German soldiers awaiting transfer to captivity in Great Britain, Canada, or the United States. Walk the grounds and contemplate the scale of the Allied victory and the subsequent process of managing the captured enemy forces following the Battle of Normandy.
German Mobile Battery near Utah Beach
Discover the location where a group of American paratroopers, disoriented after landing in the flooded areas near Utah Beach, unexpectedly encountered and neutralized a German mobile artillery battery. Based on historical photographs and accounts, learn how these determined paratroopers overcame the odds to eliminate this strategic threat, preventing the battery from firing upon Allied forces landing on Utah Beach.
Sainte-Marie-du-Mont Church
Drive along Utah Beach towards Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, and discover the first village liberated by elements of the 101st Airborne Division landing. Witness the beautiful church tower where two German observers were neutralized, eliminating a critical observation post overlooking the beaches. Consider the strategic importance of this early victory and the pivotal role it played in securing the Allied advance.
Angoville-au-Plain Church
Visit the Church of Angoville-au-Plain, a symbol of compassion and resilience amidst the chaos of D-Day. Here, two American medics, Robert Wright and Kenneth Moore, transformed the church into a makeshift field hospital, tending to over 80 wounded American paratroopers and a local child. See the bloodstains on the pews, tangible reminders of their selfless dedication and the harrowing conditions they faced. Experience a powerful connection to the human side of war and the unwavering commitment to saving lives.
Ingouff Farm (Purple Heart Lane)
Travel along Purple Heart Lane, a road infamous for its heavy casualties, towards Ingouff Farm. This site marks the location of the first bayonet charge of World War II involving US paratroopers, which resulted in an Allied victory, albeit at a high cost. Reflect on the courage, bravery, and determination displayed by the soldiers who fought here, securing vital ground amidst intense enemy resistance.
82nd Airborne Division Roadblock
Visit the site where 44 American Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division established a crucial roadblock in the early hours of June 6th, 1944. Learn how they successfully prevented a German counterattack from Cherbourg, holding off a column of 180 German soldiers, including armored vehicles, until relieved by the first American tanks from Utah Beach. Appreciate the strategic significance of this stand and the tenacity of these outnumbered soldiers.
Pfc. William 'Bill' Tucker's Hamlet
Pay tribute at the monument commemorating the location where Pfc. William 'Bill' Tucker lost six of his comrades while attempting to clear a small hamlet near the Caen-Cherbourg railway line. Reflect on the intense fighting and the sacrifices made in these small, yet strategically important, locations throughout Normandy.
The Crossroads of Loss
Visit the crossroads where nine days of ferocious battle resulted in the loss of 300 American lives. Contemplate the scale of the conflict and the relentless fighting that characterized the Normandy campaign, recognizing the immense human cost of liberation.
Drop Zone T
Reflect at Drop Zone T, a deadly landing zone where many 82nd Airborne paratroopers drowned due to deliberate flooding by the Germans. Visit the monument dedicated to Lt. Colonel Timmes and his men, who found themselves surrounded on three sides by the enemy and facing the flooded area on the fourth. Consider the perilous conditions and the extraordinary bravery displayed by these soldiers in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Cauquigny Chapel
Visit the chapel of Cauquigny, situated on the opposite side of the Merderet River and La Fière Bridge. This location changed hands multiple times during the intense three-day battle from June 6th to June 9th, 1944. Explore the area and imagine the fierce fighting that occurred here as both sides sought to control this strategic crossing.
La Fière Bridge
Conclude your journey at the vital bridge of La Fière, where the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division captured the bridge on June 6th, 1944. Despite relentless enemy counterattacks, including armored assaults, they never relinquished their hold, ensuring the Allied advance continued. Experience the sense of triumph and resilience that defines this critical location in the Normandy campaign.
Know Before You Go
This tour includes private transportation and bottled water. Lunch is not included, so participants should plan accordingly. Pickup and drop-off locations will be pre-arranged and communicated before the tour.
Hot Tip
To make the most of your tour, wear comfortable shoes for walking and bring some snacks. Also, consider bringing a notebook to jot down notes as there is a lot of information to take in. Bringing cash is a good idea as well.
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