D-Day Beach Obstacles. Much has been written about the obstacles placed by the Germans to obstruct the landings and their role in making the D-Day landings more difficult and more perilous. The obstacles took many forms and some were more effective than others. The most famous of them all is undoubtedly the Czech Hedgehog, which [...]
Our D-Day Tours Continue All Year Round D-Day Tours of Normandy continue all through the winter months and we still pack a great deal of history, experience and enjoyment into our tours, even though the days are somewhat shorter. Make it easy on yourself. If, for example, you are in Paris and looking for a [...]
Flooded once again, La Friere Bridge, the exit from UTAH Beach The bridge at La Friere near St. Mere Eglise photographed on 11th November 2019. Following the torrential rain of the last weeks, it looks very much as it did 75 years ago in the Summer of 1944 when the Germans had intentionally flooded the [...]
Richard Cole has died aged 103 Co-pilot and last survivor of the Dolittle raids on Japan dies on 09 April 2019 This is a terrific piece by Richard Goldstein of the New York Times. It really captures the courage, determination and integrity of these aviators and gives a sense of their commitment to their country and [...]
Hawthorn Ridge Mine, Battle of the Somme During a visit to Flanders Fields last weekend we passed by Hawthorn Ridge. The detonation of the Hawthorn Ridge Mine on 1st July 1916, captured on film by Geoffrey Malins, is one of the iconic moments of the First World War. The explosion also symbolises the disaster of the 1st [...]
Bomb Demolition Number 1 The ‘Bomb, Demolition Number 1’ was fired from the Churchill AVRE’s 290mm Petard mortar and it pretty much destroyed any masonry in its path. . It’s 630mm (25in) tall and weighs 18kg (40lb). The AVRE was a specialist engineer vehicle used to overcome obstacles on the battlefield. Find out more in David [...]
Thinking of a D-Day tour in 2019? Book your ferry crossing now! If you're thinking of visiting the landing beaches of the Normandy Invasion or finding out more about Operation Overlord and the Normandy Campaign, Brittany Ferries' 2019 sailings went on sale on 24 July 2018. Brittany Ferries offers a range of sailings from Britain to [...]
Frank Bourlet RIP. Last Veteran of the Pegasus Bridge. Another veteran leaves us. It is being reported that Frank Bourlet, from Glider No. 1, the last veteran of the Coup de Main group that spearheaded the assault on Pegasus Bridge, has passed away. May he rest in peace.
Kind words from New York's finest tour guide Alison and I had the pleasure of meeting Sheldon and Debby Lapidus from Best New York Tours in March 2018. At the time we didn't know that Sheldon was a professional tour guide as he only told us just before they left. We were all the more pleased [...]
New Ernie Pyle Documentary by Professor Stephen Krankhe On 18th July this year, I was privileged to spend an enthralling day with Professor Stephen Krankhe of Indiana State University. Prof. Krankhe is planning to make a documentary film about the American War Correspondent Ernie Pyle and I was honored to be chosen by him to guide [...]
