France – Tuesday 29th – the beach at Arromanches, Mulberry Harbour, Pegasus Bridge and Caen
The Mulberry Harbour was constructed in pieces at various ports on the south coast of England, to enable tanks, trucks and heavy equipment to be unloaded.
As it happens, soon after construction there was a terrible storm which broke up the harbor but fortunately, the allies soon captured the French ports of Le Havre and Cherbourg so the damage to the Mulberry Harbor did not impair the war effort.
Pegasus Bridge was the first place in France to be liberated on the night before D-Day! British crack troops were flown in behind enemy lines, their task, to take the bridge and surrounding area ahead of the invasion to clear the way for troops landing later in the day. The bridge is on the strategic canal from the English Channel to the city of Caen.
Interesting anecdote, the owners of the restaurant next to the bridge are said to have immediately put up the sign “English Spoken” after the bridge was liberated!! Nice story?
And…..finally…..how delightful to be eating dinner by the harbour at Honfleur…..one of the nicest towns in France!
Rob Little
English Speaking Tour Guide in France
Let’s Tour England…..and France !!
A piece of the Mulberry Harbor on the beach at Arromanches, France
Arromanches from inside a piece of the Mulberry Harbor
The view of the D-Day Beach at Arromanches from the sea – 68 years on!
Part of the Mulberry Harbour on near Arromanches, France
A piece of the Mulberry Harbor at Arromanches, France – just showing size of each pontoon.
Arromanches and the Mulberry Harbour from the Cliffs
Pegasus Bridge near Ranville, France – first place in France to be liberated the night before D-Day
Pegasus Bridge near Ranville, France – with German gun emplacement
Pegasus Bridge Cafe – and the sign “English Spoken”!!
Pegasus Bridge Cafe
Pegasus Bridge Cafe
Honfleur
Honfleur
Nite nite from Honfleur…..
Couldn’t resist this extra shot!!
