Airborne and Utah Beach

American V11 corps landings gave the American 1st Army their main objective the capture of Cherbourg. This tour follows actions fought in the first few days of their landing.

Ste Mere Eglise was one of the first towns liberated on D-day by paratroopers of the 505th Regiment, 82nd Airborne.It is a strategic crossroads town inland from the Utah beach landings. A local market town fought over heavily during the first few days of the D-day landings. Hear the stories about the miss-drops , the capture and defence. One can visit the famous church, view the stained glass window in honour of their liberators. Visit the D-day and Airborne monuments.

Optional visit to Airborne museum in Ste Mere Eglise, not included in price.

Neuville au Plain. A small farming village situated just north of Ste Mere Eglise, on the route national to Cherbourg, Elements of D Company 505th Regiment , 82nd Airborne lead by Lt Turner Turnbull put up one hell of a defence to stop the German counteract on 6th June reaching Ste Mere Eglise. Again heavily fought over throughout the 7th & 8th June.

La Fiere as small bridge crossing over the flooded Merderet river with a causeway leading across the floodplain. A pivotal crossing west of Ste Mere Eglise , for German counteracts and for the American to secure to breakout of the beachhead and advance upon Cherbourg.The three days of heavy combat lead to heavy casualties for both sides. One of the finest actions fought in WW11. Described as the worst fight the 82nd Airborne fought in WW11.There are many monument to 82nd Airborne, including Iron Mike.

Cauquigny. On the west bank of the Merderet .The 1st Battalion 325th Glider Regiment ,82nd AB have crossed the flooded Merderet fought for their lives on the west bank . Pte Charles DeGlopper sacrificed himself to save his comrades. Posthumously received the Medal of Honour Bocage

Hedgerow Tour. We drive down through hedgrerow countryside towards the Utah beach causeways. I will explain the history of the hedgerow , the problems it caused the Allies and Germans. How it was defended and how the Americans solved their problems.

Lunch stop

Utah beach. Visit WN 10 just north of the American planned landings , a well build defencive position . Drive down to WN 5 , causeway 2 , where the American landings actually happened. Here we learn about the chaos of war. How the 4th Infantry Division carried out the first American landing on D-day and how through great leadership and the ability to adapt they succeeded in securing a beach head and advanced inland linking up with their Airborne support.

Utah Beach Museum , Optional, probably the best American museum in Normandy, price not included. 7 euro

Brecourt Manoir gun battery. The now famous attack on the guns covering causeway 2. Lead by Lt Dick Winters a mixed group of American paratroopers successfully assault the German gun battery. A Band of Brothers site. As seen in the series.

Angoville au Plain. A small farming village on the southern flank of the 101st Airborne landings. The church being used as an aid station for American and German paratroopers while battles between 501st Regiment and FJR 6 raged in the surrounding countryside.

Lt Col Robert Cole , 3rd Batt, 502 PIR, actions that lead to the famous bayonet charge outside Carentan. Awarded the Medal of Honour