WW2 Commemorations in France, May-June 2024
3rd July 2024
This year I had the pleasure and privilege of visiting France three times within a few weeks, allowing me to visit different sites and attend various commemorations.
The first of these visits (3rd – 7th May) was to Valençay.
I have written a full account of that visit and the annual commemoration at the SOE monument in a previous blog, these first three images on the left and above give a flavour of the visit.
On my two visits to Normandy, just before and for, the 80th anniversary of D-Day I was particularly moved by a return visit to Arromanches. My late Father disembarked there on D-Day plus 6 so it has a very special resonance for me.
On another day at the Hillman site (a former German Blockhaus captured by the British on 6th June) I was thrilled to see amongst the beautifully and lovingly restored vintage vehicles, a van in RAF colours which I am sure is the sort of thing Dad would have quite possibly arrived in.
Normandy bristles with monuments, statues, plaques, and spaces dedicated to the memory of the sacrifices made to secure the liberation of France, Europe and ultimately the world, from the yoke of Nazi totalitarianism. Regiments and individuals are commemorated and remembered on sites relevant to their participation.
On arrival at Ouistreham on my first visit I met a group who were waiting for the boat home and who had come over to refurbish the plaque dedicated to the 13th /18th Royal Hussars (QMO) who landed on Sword Beach.
Their dedication was so touching.
Around June of course the area really springs to life with a huge number of people flooding into the area in their vintage costumes and vehicles and with their amazing collection of memorabilia.
Despite the festive atmosphere, it is obvious that this passion springs from a heartfelt dedication to the preservation of the memory of those who risked and in too many cases, gave, everything in the name of freedom.
So, beneath the gaiety and celebration is a hard core of reverent remembrance. None more so than at Ver-sur-mer with the beautiful and extremely sobering and moving Standing with Giants memorial created especially for this 80th anniversary of D Day.
I was able to visit Bénouville, where the iconic Pegasus Bridge is located.
The bridge itself is within the grounds of the excellent museum, as it had to be replaced by a larger version when the canal was widened.
Various parades were held there during the 6th June of which sadly I only caught a glimpse as my host had something else planned for the morning.
On the evening of the 6th June I attended the ceremony at the British Cemetery in Hermanville. The French and British national anthems were sung by local schoolchildren which inspires the hope that future generations will continue to observe the remembrance of the valiant heroism of the men who lie there and indeed across northern France.