American 101st & 82nd Paratroopers in Normandy battlefield tour

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Sainte-Mere-Eglise

  Saint Mère Eglise is a historic gem for World War II interested people. Key highlights of this first liberated village by the heroic paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division, include the iconic church where paratrooper John Steele unfortunately got caught on the church steeple during the Airborne Operations of the D-Day landings. Inside the church you'll find 2 very special stained glass windows, offered to the community of Saint Mère Eglise to honor all the fallen American Paratroopers during the early hours of June 6, 1944. The village-square shows multiple monuments for the 82nd Airborne Division in particular, and there are even some silent witnesses of the fighting in the form of various bulletholes.

  1 hour • Admission ticket free
• 2

  Monument in honor of the tragic crash of the C47 Skytrain carrying its crew, company commander Lt. Thomas Meehan and his fellow paratroopers (stick) of the 101st Airborne Division (506th PIR-Easy Company), as mentioned in the television series Band of Brothers. Learn more about the Airborne Operations prior to the D-Day Landings at the beaches.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 3

  The remains of one of the biggest German Prisoner of War camps in Normandy. More than 40.000 German soldiers were housed here before being sent to further captivity in Great Britain, Canada or the United States.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4

  After being dropped in the swampy area between Utah Beach and the higher grounds leading towards Saint Mère Eglise, some 40 paratroopers accidentally found one of the German mobile batteries stationed around a large farm. Based on original photographic material, you'll learn how this German battery was taken out of action by the American Paratroopers.

  45 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5
  Utah Beach

  Drive alongside Utah Beach, the smallest of the 2 American Landingbeaches, towards Sainte Marie du Mont. Learn how two German observers were taken out the beautiful Church tower of this first liberated village by elements of the 101st Airborne Division.

  45 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 6

  The Church of Angoville au Plain played a remarkable role during the Airborne Operations in Normandy, on June 6th 1944 and beyond. Two American medics, Robert Wright and Kenneth Moore, turned the church into a makeshift fieldhospital, caring for over 80 wounded American paratroopers and a wounded local child. Despite intense fighting in the area, they bravely provided medical aid, using any available resources, including the church's pews and a wheelbarrow. The selfless actions of Wright and Moore in the midst of chaos exemplify the courage and compassion displayed during the D-Day Operations. Today, visiting the church allows you to step back in time and appreciate the incredible stories of wartime heroism.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 7

  Coming from Angoville-au-Plain, and passing the Dead Man's Corner, we'll take you over Purple Heart Lane towards the Ingouff Farm, where the first bayonet charge of WW II ended in favour of the U.S. Paratroopers. But at what price ? Another example of courage, bravery, leadership and determination...... Lest we forget !

  45 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 8

  Visit the location where 44 American Paratroopers, 82nd Airborne Division, in the early hours of June 6th, 1944, managed to put up a roadblock to prevent any German counterattack coming from the direction of Cherbourg. And where they succeeded to hold up a column of 180 German military, including armoured vehicles, on their way to Saint Mère Eglise, until they were relieved by the first American tanks coming from Utah Beach.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 9

  Visit the monument where Pfc. William "Bill" Tucker lost 6 of his comrades, while trying to clear a small hamlet at the Railwayline from Caen to Cherbourg.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 10

  Visit the crossroads where 9 days of ferocious battle resulted in 300 American losses....

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 11

  We continue our tour in the footsteps of the 82nd Airborne Division and arrive at Dropzone T, the deadly dropzone where many 82nd Airborne Paratroopers drowned because of the deliberately flooded area. Visit the monument for Lt. Colonel Timmes and his men, surrounded on 3 sides by the enemy, and on the remaining side there was the flooded area.....

  45 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 12

  Visit the chapel of Cauquigny, at the other side of the Merderet river and La Fière Bridge, that changed hands several times during the 3 days battle from June 6th - June 9th, 1944.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 13

  Our last stop of the day, normally..... Visit the location of the vital bridge of La Fière, where the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, after capturing the bridge on June 6th, 1944, never to let the enemy cross this bridge again, despite several enemy counter attacks, even with tanks.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Tags

Rating