Shortly after midnight on the 6th June 1944 D-day commenced with heavy aerial and naval bombardment. At 6:30am the allied infantry began landing on a 50kg (80 mile) length of coast on the shores of Normandy, France. The coast was divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno and Sword Beach. Strong winds blew some craft from the intended landing sites. The men landed under heavy enemy fire and mines on the shore. They had to contend with obstacles in their path such as wooden stakes, barbed wire making it an arduous task.
It wasn’t to be as easy as planned and it took 15 days to connect all five bridgeheads. After that they gradually gained control and expanded their hold over the coming months. They faced 10,000 casualties on the first day (D-Day) and the Germans only 1,000 yet they persevered.
On the day we visited the D-Day beaches, it was a pleasant, sunny day, a far cry from the hell hole it would have been those many years ago.
There we found a peaceful scene, with beautiful grass and a picturesque landscape, a well cared for war cemetery and memorial. As it was nearing the 69th anniversary we found on the road across from the beach left over vehicles of a bygone era.
This week’s challenge asks for something from the 1940’s. I can only guess that the group of photos below comes from that era. Being relics from that time in Normandy at the D-Day beaches would lend itself to imagine just that, on 6th June 1944 to be exact.
daysandmonths 
wow – like a journey around the world!
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Thanks M 🙂
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My dad was suffering as a pow mining coal for the Japanese at that time, having been taken captive in the Philippines when they surrendered after MacArthur withdrew. He was a part of the infamous Bataan Death March. What a difference time makes.Thanks for your post.
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It’s strange isn’t it. If you went to that place now it would be an entirely different memory and place. How time changes a lot of things but some it doesn’t change at all…. Thanks for commenting 🙂
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That’s true. I have heard it’s beautiful.
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A fabulous post Kaz and also a lovely commemoration.
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Thanks Robyn very much. I was just going to post the photos because they belong to the 1940s but felt I needed to do more out of respect and not just use it for a challenge so really appreciate your comments 🙂
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Beautiful and appropriate Kaz.
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Great collection! Tom The Backroads Traveller
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Thanks Tom 🙂
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A visit to Normandy is something that should be on everyone’s bucket list. I was lucky enough to have visited it quite a long time ago, but I will forever remember what I learned, what I saw, and what I felt. Thanks for sharing these photos, Karen, and for your lovely words. Perfect post for the challenge.
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Thanks Stacy, I thought it perfect for the 1940s challenge but not without saying something as it meant more than just a picture for a challenge. Thanks for your kind words. I hope I did it justice 🙂
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You absolutely did, Karen!
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thanks for sharing these and the valiant history that goes with them.
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Thanks Cybele for your kind comment 🙂
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Beautiful!
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Thanks Dawn 🙂
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