Wednesday, July 31st: Our second bike ride with major stops at Utah Beach, Monument, and Saint-Vaast-la-Houge. It was the "long loop" option suggested by the bike tour operator. There is lots of history here and we are only scratching the surface.
The evening before at Domaine Utah Beach Hotel - bocci ball game.
The Domaine Utah Beach Hotel -- an old farm complex. Our room was directly ahead in center. The restaurant is to the right.
Guess where?
One of many monuments at Utah Beach -- to the 90th Infantry Division. For those history buffs, Utah Beach had many more causalities compared to Omaha Beach. Surprisingly, the estimated survival rate for all forces landing on D-Day was nearly 97%. Though it varied by where....
Monument to the 1st Special Engineering Brigade.
Thanks to the naval support for Operation Neptune (the original name for the amphibious assault we all now know as "Overlord").
A landing craft recreation of the "Higgins Boat," an essential delivery mechanism for men and equipment during beach landings.
Sherman Tank - 150 of them were lost at Utah Beach (I think).
We were asked to witness and later participate with a crew of "cadets" who were cleaning up the Monument Site in anticipation of a celebration to take place on August 1st. This is the location where the French Army under the command of General LeClerc returned to France after 4 years in exile. The local Mairesse saw a photo op when she noticed our group and we got the full PR job. The cadet leader explained the history of his crew and they sang the crew song to us. The kids seemed surprisingly good natured about the whole thing.
Riding on, we stopped here for a light snack.
Four of six bikers on the way to Saint-Vaast-la-Houge.
The port at Saint-Vaast-la-Houge,
whose waters are held higher by these gates.
Outside the port gates.
The beach north of the village looking at La Hongue Fort (see next).
The first of two batteries (Batterie de Crisbecq) that were part of Hitler's Atlantic Wall.
A gun that could fire shells to Utah Beach.
The second battery - Batterie Azeville. An underground complex with quarters, a hospital, etc. and four "pillboxes".
Diagram showing the complex.
A Pillbox.
Back to the hotel
Betsy riding in after 42 miles or more.
Wow. What a day of history!! Cg
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