DENNIS'S IMPRESSIONS OF THE NORMANDY TOUR

One of the longest wishes of my life has now been fulfilled – to visit the beaches and areas where the allies invaded fortress Europe in 1944

Did the trip meet my expectation? A definite thumbs up!

Names that I had heard about – Arromanches, Bayeaux, St Mere Eglise, Omaha Beach, Pegasus Bridge – now have a definite meaning to them

The Normandy Invasion of ’44 was one of the major events of the 20th century and its logistical scale remains to this day the largest in history. What I have written in my blog is but a miniscule of all the incidents which took place.

One is saddened by the massive loss of life and the destruction which took place here some 66 years ago. Whole towns and villages were destroyed, their inhabitants the collateral victims of war.

Fortunately the French nation’s resolve to rebuild and reestablish their towns and communities have proved fruitful. Today the area is as beautiful as ever, tourists abound, factories produce and agriculture thrives. After what they endured they deserve it all.

Although Operation Overlord was hugely successful I do believe that mistakes were made which could possibly have shortened the war, the main one being Eisenhower’s refusal to heed Patton’s advice to enclose the Falaise Gap more vigorously, thereby allowing a large portion of their army to escape over the Seine and the Rhine to fight another day. I also believe that Montgomery was more of a prima donna than a general – his failures at Caen cost the British, Canadian and Polish soldiers, not to mention French
civilians, many lives.

I believe that the American army was well led by Bradley and the quality of his commanders was superb, especially Patton.

All credit must go to the Allied troops and their field officers whose bravery and perseverance in the most terrible of conditions won the day. All free men owe them a debt that can never be repaid - by honouring and remembering them is all we can do. These young men offered up their lives, many making the supreme sacrifice, in helping to destroy the Nazi scourge.

Whatever we might think of the Nazis and the German’s there is no doubt that their soldiers were brave men and excellent fighters. They too gave up their lives for a maniacal fanatic who only wished to pursue his own evil policies.

Most of the French population resisted the Nazis either covertly or overtly. The Maquis and other resistance organizations consisted of extremely brave men and women who risked their lives in the struggle to liberate their fellow citizens.

I am very grateful that I have been privileged to make this trip



N.B. WE ARE LEAVING FOR BELGIUM TOMORROW SO I WILL NOT BE BLOGGING FOR THE NEXT 2 DAYS OR SO