The plan for the day was to travel to Cherbroug, then a plane ride for Pieter and myself and a bit of shopping for the ladies. Time did not allow us to visit the Militaria sale in Carentan, a real pity, but maybe next time. At least after breakfast we were treated to a convoy of at least 50 vintage military vehicles (including a number of motorcycles with wailing syrens!) past our hotel.

Arriving in Cherbroug a few complications, but after a bit of trekking, walking and asking we figured best way to the airport is by taxi and this was duly done. With no luggage storage facilities available we took our suitcase (1 for the family) along and were able to store it at the organizers table (it was used to display t-Shirts for the rest of the afternoon).

A quick beer, lunch (boerewors rolls, or reasonable French equivalent) and then the long awaited flight in a Dakota. The flight crossed over the American landing beaches and Carentan, having spent the past two days there it was really terrific to see the town from the air!

Lunch!

Our flight (note Pieter and a Vetran from the Division Le Clerck – Jacques- whom we met at check-in).

About 2/3 through the flight the soft drone of the Dakoto proved more than a match for Pieter and he fell asleep. The taxi arrived punctually at 14:00 and with Pieter lying down I collected some T-shirts, only for him to run into the building – as he awoke disorientated in the taxi (believing he was still in the plane with me abandoning him) – straight to me of course! Excellent instincts and good reflexes by the driver who was 1 step behind him.

Normandy Beaches

Then to the station, to wait for the girls carrying large bags of shopping and a train to Mont St Michelle.

With most of the landing area closed for the 6th to all traffic we thought it best to leave the wartime endeavors for a cultural visit on the 6th, to the second most visited site in France, the Abbey of Mont St Michel.

A few boring, but interesting facts, Field Marshall Rommel was not in Normandy at the time of the invasion, he was at a meeting in Berlin, the Germans thinking conditions too bad for an invasion (and his wife’s birthday was at the time).
D-Day was supposed to be the 5th, but it was delayed due to bad weather on the day (hence our jump did not work out on the 4th I think).
Most of the German command was not at the front but in Rennes for a war gaming session, the train we took to Mont St Michel terminated at Rennes two stations later, so we were unwittingly copying their behavior.

Arriving safely we got a bus and arrived at our lodgings. Dinner and all crashed rather late (it was still light at 10:10 when we admired the sunset).

The planned schedule for the day included a visit to the Normandy Armour museum and watching the 1st round of parachute jumps to commemorate D-Day at Carentan.

Things started out slightly wobbly with Pieter being wet (running and slipping) before we managed to leave the hotel grounds, so we had to change his clothes as we entered the museum. Annabellé who followed him only suffered wet shoes. Dry pants and both in slippers we ventured into the museum.

It is small, but it does pack a punch in terms of diversity – a very worthwhile visit for the enthusiast and his/her family, Pieter loved taking photos throughout the visit.

The Family (photo be French stranger)

Outside were a few tents selling food and militaria, so we could get new shoes for both kids (camouflaged sneakers of course).

Accross the road for a beer and to order a taxi, we hit town for a worthwhile lunch across from the station and then a 2km walk (as advised by the tourism office, due to the congestion) to the drop zone at Carentan. This is to commemorate the jump by the 101st Airborne division in the early hours of the morning before the invasion.

We got to the zone, unfortunately the jump was delayed by an hour and half and Pieter and Annabellé decided that playing in the long grass was the best remedy!

Action photo!

Hurray up and wait! (The memories!)

At last the planes appeared, but alas the wind was too strong and the jump was cancelled. If you think the 2 000 or 3 000 spectators were disappointed, I can only imagine the feeling of deflation of the 250 odd jumpers that were in the fleet of nine Dakotas!

The jump converted to a fly past.

The rest of the afternoon included the unveiling of 2 monuments on the way back. The first commemorating the bayonet charge by Lt Winters at Carentan (as made famous in the Band of Brothers), and the second the liberation of the town by the 101st Airborne. Watching them aware not fun for the kids :). This was followed by a parade through the town by military personnel from 5 countries and a few bands, this they enjoyed a lot more and they got to play with the flags bought earlier the day.

At the Parade

Then, back to the Hotel for a dinner and crashing, we were all dead, especially the adults who carried the children (by then sleeping) back nearly all the way the 2km to town!

Ok, with a keen interest in military history we were not going to miss out on a visit to Normandy during the 70th celebration of the D-Day landings (the only other major event being the centenary anniversary of the start of world war 1 in August, just to show us how little humanity actually learns!!!!!!!).

The fact that the famous Mont St Michel is nearby, and looks like a fairy Castel for the kids, of course helped in the discussions, but that is a story for later in the week. The itinerary includes a visit to Carentan (where we are staying, and made famous by the mini series “Band of Brothers”), with a numerous events nearby to chose from, they will be highlighted as the unfold.

To give you a flavor of the town (which is abuzz with vehicles, people in uniform, flags etc.) a few pictures from our hotel parking lot!

An American Willys Jeep and Armoured Car (will confirm, Hellhound?)

Pieter and Annabellé with a German “kübelwagen”.

Our route for the day

I was invited to join the Monday walking group. A friendly group of lovely people, enjoying life and fresh air. The walk started at about 10:00 and we were back in town by 16:00.

A few fellow walkers

The scenery was lovely. Small field flowers – pink, yellow and white in abundance. Butterflies and bees and blue, blue open skies.

Lovely view, all the way to the sea!

We stopped for picnic at noon and to rest the tired legs. Wine, bread, fruit and some chocolate were shared.

Lovely

The distance of our walk.

Short rest

Admiring the view

More fellow walkers

The Roman road