Archmere French Trip 2013: Normandy! Witte

Today was a very long day. We woke up very early and headed to the Senlis bus station to catch our bus for Normandy. It was a long drive, but watching the fields of red poppies and white cows zoom by helped to make it seem shorter. Once we arrived in Normandy, our first stop was the Pointe du Hoc. This area seized from the Germans on June 6, 1944 in order to prepare for the landings on Omaha and Utah beaches. We were able to climb into the bunkers and see where the Germans kept their artillery. It was also very moving to see the landscape dotted with craters from the shell explosions.

Our next stop was at the American Cemetery and Memorial. It was very moving to walk quietly among the rows of Latin crosses and Stars of David. Most of the headstone had the name of the fallen as well as their home state, while others were for the unknown soldiers.

We had a quick lunch near Omaha beach and then head to a wonderful museum about the damage that the city of Caen sustained during WWII. The amount of artifacts was truly amazing and the set up of the museum provided a vivid interpretation of what it might have felt like to have lived through that period in history.

We just finished a walking tour of the Caen. It is a quiet, college town with a medieval castle and many gothic churches. I am sure the students are excited to rest for their day tomorrow at St. Michel. Anna Baxter was once again attack by a bird. This time it pooped on her arm. We keep telling her to stop provoking them.

Our Guide Alex.

Into the German bunker

Interior of a bunker. I am guessing the marks on the wall are ricochet marks from bullets. But I have seen all the Band of Brothers series, so it might just be me making it up.