This is the second of a three-part series about a trip this week to Normandy. For part one about the stunning memorial at the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, go here.
Omaha Beach
Les Braves - French sculptor Anilore Banon's tribute to soldiers involved in the June 6, 1944 D-Day landings at Normandy beaches. A plaque near Omaha Beach describes Banon's philosophy in the three elements of her sculpture:
Wings of Hope - So that the spirit which carried these men on June 6, 1944 continues to inspire us, reminding us that together it is always possible to change the future.Rise Freedom! - So that the example of those who rose against barbarity helps us remain standing strong against all forms of inhumanity.
The Wings of Fraternity - So that this surge of brotherhood always reminds us of our responsibility towards others, as well as ourselves.
See my post of 13 April, 2006 for more information about the funding and development of this sculpture.
An engraving on the side of a monument honours soldiers who came ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day.
Pointe du Hoc
A navigational error landed soldiers at the base of this 100-foot cliff, which they had to climb with German soldiers firing from atop the cliff. France erected a monument here to honour elements of the 2nd Ranger Battalion that scaled the cliff. The memorial consists of a tall granite pylon atop a concrete bunker and is visible in the far left corner of the photo.
In 1979, the 30-acre area was presented to the American government. It remains much as it was left in 1944, complete with concrete German bunkers, gun mounts and giant craters left by bombs. Cliff erosion recently has made much of the area unstable, so huge swathes of the cliff are encircled with fences and barbed wire to prevent accidents.
A child climbs out of a German "foxhole."
Leaning cypress trees have been shaped by strong winds from the sea.
Utah Beach
Trotter horses training for races at nearby Deauville take advantage of the spring tides to run on the sea bed. Usually this sand is completely covered by water. American forces of the VII Corps landed here June 6, 1944 and fought until July 1 to liberate the Cotentin Peninsula from the Germans.
Driftwood fenceposts, sea grasses and sand dunes on the edge of Utah Beach.
My Dad landed at Omaha on D-Day - first wave landing. He never spoke about the war when I grew up and avoided questions when asked about his experiences there. In 2004 I visited Normandy on the D-day anniversary and stood in awe on the beach, thinking about the heroism and loss of life. I gathered some sand and stones from the beach to take home to Dad... it was one of the very few times in my life that I have ever seen my Dad cry.
Posted by: Deb Lewis | 24 April 2007 at 04:12
Stunning and humbling photos from this and your previous post, walking us through history. Thank you so much for sharing. I've never seen photos of Normandy like these. I need to go.
Posted by: Madeline | 23 April 2007 at 07:16
My Father was in WWII
The first time we went to Normandy and the famous beaches
My Father sat at the cliff and cried.
His tears washed out the pain he held...
the tides kept rolling it back.
Your photos brought that day back to me crystal clear.
War leaves a deep scar.
Posted by: tongue in cheek | 23 April 2007 at 02:02
Wow.
:)
Posted by: amber | 22 April 2007 at 03:07
Wonderful photos.....I would love to see the sculpture in the water in real life....one day.
And I love the photos of the horses on the beach. My goodness, it could easily had been a scene many years ago. It also has a sense of tranquility and normalcy. Knowing the historical background of the area.....of the violence and death experienced...it is such an interesting contrast.
Posted by: awareness | 21 April 2007 at 16:28
Those pictures just took my breath away. This is one of the parts of history that I think about allllll the time. I need to come back when I'm not sitting here completely exhausted and read the other posts.
Goodnight.
Posted by: hollibobolli | 21 April 2007 at 08:45
I love how you start out with Les Braves and move up to the land ... much like the brave soldiers over sixty years ago. JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 21 April 2007 at 05:46
Your photos took me on a torrent of emotions, grief, inspiration, glee! Really wonderful composition of pictures! Amazing all of it!
Hugs Sherrie
Posted by: giggles | 21 April 2007 at 03:08
Amazing photos, absolutely stunning.
Posted by: Carla | 21 April 2007 at 01:57
Tara, these posts are just wonderful! So breathtaking. My son has been enjoying them, too, so you've touched two lives this week.
Love, Andrea
Posted by: Southern Heart | 21 April 2007 at 01:52
Ver moving. Tara, There is a women I profiled on my blogsite I think you should meet. You two would really get along.
Please come meet her when you have a chance.
best
Robin
Posted by: Robin Sherwood | 21 April 2007 at 01:44
that sculpure in the water is so moving -
profoundly so...
wonderful series of photos:)
Posted by: sophie | 21 April 2007 at 01:06
It's mindboggling to think how so much tragic carnage and amazing heroism both happened at this beautiful, peaceful-looking beach. The monument is lovely, yet those sharp-edged wings remind me of a double-edge sword, which I suppose, in a way, fighting evil for freedom is double-edged - the trade-off is the sacrifice of all those young lives...
Your photos are lovely as always, Tara. xo
Posted by: tinker | 20 April 2007 at 23:40
These were very moving photos for me, Tara. My uncle, 21 or so at the time, died in France on one of the first days in...
Thank you for posting these.
Posted by: Regina Clare Jane | 20 April 2007 at 22:12
Fabulous as is everything you post.
Blessings!
Posted by: Jeanne | 20 April 2007 at 22:03
Awesome photos! That monument is really simple yet beautiful. Reminds me of inuksuks.
Posted by: [a} | 20 April 2007 at 21:17
These images are stunning Tara!!
I adore the first one of the horses on the beach ... it's for the wall, as big as it will go.
You captured some exquisite light too.
Felicitations!!!
Posted by: Di | 20 April 2007 at 20:41
I especially love the last photo.
Posted by: kristen | 20 April 2007 at 20:29
Mother of God, Tara. I am staggered by the beauty of that monument. It is stunning to look at that beach now and think of the carnage that happened there more than a half century ago.
Posted by: AnnieElf | 20 April 2007 at 18:33
Mother of God, Tara. I am staggered by the beauty of that monument. It is stunning to look at that beach now and think of the carnage that happened there more than a half century ago.
Posted by: AnnieElf | 20 April 2007 at 18:33
Beautiful yet again. It is so hard to comprehend that so much death and destruction could have happened in such a beautiful place. I am so pleased you are showing these images with your (as always) touching commentary. Thank You Tara.
Posted by: Di Overton | 20 April 2007 at 17:33
Beautiful photos. My Great Uncle landed on Normandy beach, he was shot and received a purple heart. He lived to a ripe old age of 90. Thanks for the memories...
Posted by: mymelange | 20 April 2007 at 13:22
oh gosh Tara these photos are so moving...I'm teary and it's not even 6a.m. yet:( Thank you THANK you for spending time there and sending back these photos for us to see as it is today....btw....I think you should keep that great photo of yourself up! tehehehehe! I saw it! your really darn cute you know! xoxo
Posted by: berrie | 20 April 2007 at 12:42