This tour focuses on the 101st Airborne Division jumps, landings and objectives in Normandy on June 6, 1944.
La Barquette Locks : controlled and defended by the Germans, these locks that were used to keep the marshlands flooded in 1944 were an important objective of the paratroopers.
Sainte-Mère-Eglise : made famous in the 1962 movie The Longest Day, find out the real history of the first town liberated by the Americans on DDay. Highly symbolic for both the Allies and the French, it is also the perfect place to tell you about the French perspective. A complete presentation of the Airborne operations will also be explained. Also the landing place of Dick Winters and a few other men of Easy Co.
La Fière : visit the memorial to the 82nd AB and understand how this battle over the Merderet river was fought.
Cauquigny : opposite the bridge of La Fière, Cauquigny remained a hotly contested piece of land between the Germans of the 91st Infantry Division and the 82nd AB.
De Glopper Memorial : not too far from Cauquigny, a memorial to PFC Charles de Glopper, Medal of Honor recipient. Hear his heroic story.
As we drive through the countryside, discover the terrain, the bocage and its hedgerows, why and how they happened to be centuries ago, how they impacted the movement of the American troops. Find out about the marshlands, visualize the different drop zones and landing zones, and find out about the strategic importance of the paratroopers.
Utah Beach : as with Omaha Beach, a full presentation of the situation at Utah Beach will be explained in details, and you will understand how and why the paratroopers were a strategic element in the landings of the 4th US Infantry Division.
Sainte Marie du Mont : of crucial importance on DDay, this village rests half way between Utah Beach and the N13. Learn of its liberation and understand its tactical significance. This is were Easy Co. spent their first night.
Angoville au Plain : a small church on Drop Zone D where two medics of the 101st AB tended to the wounded, regardless of the side they were fighting for. A haven of mercy in the midst of the battle.
Saint Côme du Mont and Dead Man's Corner : at the interesection between the road leading to Utah Beach and the N13, the German paratroopers fought the American paratroopers. After you hear how, the amazing story of Joseph Beyrle will be narrated at the church.
Purple Heart Lane : the northern part of Carentan, the old N13 got its nickname because of the amount of casualties sustained by the paratroopers of the 101st AB as they made their way to their main objective.
In your best interest, the order of the sites may vary slightly. The sites remain the same. Time permits, we will add more sites to this tour.