This tour is named in honor of the famous WWII American General Omar Bradley who gallantly led many of the American forces during different phases of the liberation of various countries in Europe. This very-focused tour has been tailored for anyone who truly wish to concentrate on the various aspects of the American invasion forces on D-Day. The tour has purposely been confined as a two-day tour during which you will find an unprecedented coverage of every American sectors. Our guides have expert knowledges of the exact sequences of events and pin point accuracy in graphs, period based maps, topographical studies and charts on the key physical (land based) locations of these invasion sites- and you will actually be able to walk, live and breathe the sites of these 1944 historic events. A visit to these areas is absolutely essential for anyone who has a keen desire for the most intimate details of the American contribution in the D-Day Invasion. We promise you that if you spend time with us on this two-day tour, you will never walk away being the same person, your experience with us will be a life-altering event.
Details of your visit:
DAY 1
This tour focuses on the US Fith Corps sectors. We start the tour with a visit of the German Longues sur Mer Battery. This battery is a truly impressive site to see, the fortifications are still very much intact. You can imagine the advancing Allied invasion by sea on June 6th, 1944 as you visit this location. Following this, we will take you to the American invasion sectors on Omaha Beach, the American Cemetery at Colleville sur Mer and the historic Ranger landing site at the Pointe du Hoc. Without visiting these sites, you cannot comprehend the extent of planning and execution of the American Invasion during D-Day. You will not want to miss this tour and we have the guides who will personally and intimately acquaint you with these areas.
Starting at the Longues sur Mer Battery located in the sector liberated by the 50th British Infantry Division, this tour will take you to the infamous Omaha Beach and to the Pointe du Hoc. The detailed story of what was the most deadly part of the liberation of Europe will be described in this historical tour which will be supplemented with maps and pictures of this area.
From the WN 62 with its unmistakeable view on Easy and Fox sectors and the "D1" beach exit of Vierville sur Mer, we will take you 60 years back and relive History.
The Batteries of Longues sur Mer
The Atlantic Wall was a system of fortifications built by Nazi Germany, which extended along the Atlantic coast of Western Europe. The batteries of Longues are a classic example of the pattern that was used for the Atlantic Wall.
Come and discover the four casemates of these batteries and the 152 mm German naval guns behind the control bunker. This site has been very well preserved to this day as a Memorial of the war.
You will visit the Port of Port en Bessin secured by the 47th Royal Commando Unit, which became an important petroleum port. Port en Bessin was the geographic boundary between the American and British sectors.
Omaha Beach
We will see many WN’s - (Wiederstandnest - strong point of defense) from Sainte-Honorine-des-Pertes to Vierville. We will visit some of these strong points, which were the better-defended German positions along Omaha. We will stop on WN 62 and WN 65 on Fox Green and Easy Red sectors, and WN 73 on Dog Green at Vierville.
This beach assault was a difficult assignment given to US Fith Corps commanded by General Gerow whose Force “O” was made up of the 1st Infantry Division, 29th Infantry Division, two Rangers battalions and several attached units.
We will be stopping on many spots so you can take time and experience reverence for the heroic efforts of these liberators. You will be able to walk on the beach that was consecrated by their sacrifice.
The American Cemetery
This is probably the most moving, sacred and reverent place that exists today to pay tribute to the American liberators that paid the ultimate sacrifice during D-Day and the subsequent days of the Battle of Normandy. This beautifully and meticulously kept Cemetery extends over 172.5 acres, and is one of fourteen permanent American World War II cemeteries constructed on foreign soil. It contains the remains of 9387 servicemen and women killed for our freedom. The American Cemetery conveys an unforgettable feeling of honour, peace and serenity.
At this location, you will visit some very special places, including General Teddy Roosevelt Jr’s grave and some other locations within the cemetery of significant importance to the American men buried there. It would be an understatement to say that a visit to this cemetery would be an emotional focal point of your visit to Normandy and the American sectors of this historic Invasion.
The Pointe du Hoc
Located on a cliff 8 miles west of the Cemetery, this monument was created by France to honour elements of the 2nd Rangers Battalion under the command of LTC James E. RUDDER which scaled the 100-foot cliff. Admiral Hall’s Intelligence officer remarked: "It can’t be done. Three old women with brooms could stop the Rangers scaling that cliff!"
RUDDER replied to General BRADLEY: "Sir, my Rangers can do the job for you"
LUNCH AT OMAHA BEACH
(Not included)
VII CORPS SECTORS
Utah Beach
"I am ashore with Colonel Simmons and General Roosevelt, advancing steadily (0940). ... Everything is going OK (1025).... Defense is not stubborn (2400)." : Col. James A. Van Fleet to Gen. Raymond O. Barton, D-Day.
This is the place where the successful landing of the 4th American "Ivy" Infantry Division occurred under orders of General Barton and General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. with other support units in the first attack wave on Utah Beach. You will understand why the 4th U.S. Infantry Division landed there with relatively little resistance in contrast to Omaha Beach where the fightings were fierce. Utah Beach, about three miles long, was the westernmost of the five landing beaches, located between Pouppeville and La Madeleine.
Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
Today, St. Marie du Mont appears to be a typical Norman village. Here, Marshall Erwin Rommel, who was in charge of the Atlantic defenses, inspected them several times between January and May 1944.
While evaluating and inspecting the German defenses, Rommel stayed in a 17th century manor situated at the Western entrance of the village.
The gothic bell tower was a key reference point for the 101st Airborne General Maxwell Taylor who landed in the early hours of the Invasion and spent the night regrouping misdropped soldiers.
The Crisbecq-Saint-Marcouf Battery
The Marineküstenbatterie (navy coastal battery) St. Marcouf (3./1261 HKAR) situated on the Eastern side of the Cherbourg peninsula was equipped with three 21-cm Skoda K 39/40 (cz) canons, a 15,5-cm-K 420 (cz) canon and six French 7,5-cm anti-aircraft guns. In the early hours of the initial Invasion on Utah, the battery fired on the Allied fleet which immediately responded to the German fire. The USS Corry and the USS Glennon were directly hit by the battery and sunk.
This site will acquaint you with this historic exchange of fire and the ironic counter-fire by German batteries on themselves.
Meautis
You have visited General Theodore Roosevelt Jr.’s grave at the American Cemetery and the spot where he landed on Utah Beach… Now you have the privilege to stop in Meautis where he died of a heart attack.
A plaque commemorates the event and original pictures exist...
La Cambe German Cemetery
The German soldiers killed during the Normandy campaign were scattered over a wide area, many of them buried in isolated or field graves - or small temporary cemeteries. In the years following WW2, the German War Graves Commission, the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge, decided to establish six main German cemeteries in the Normandy area. The works at the La Cambe cemetery started in 1948.
During this period, the remains of more than 12,000 German soldiers were moved in from 1,400 locations in the departments of Calvados and the Orne. The cemetery was finished in 1961 and inaugurated in September of this year. Since this date, more than 700 soldiers have been found on the battlefield and are now buried in this cemetery.
In total, 21,222 German soldiers rest in this cemetery, of which 207 unknown and 89 identified are buried in a kamaradengraben (or mass grave) below the central tumulus.
We can spend a time focusing on one of the most successful and famous SS tank commanders, SS-Hauptsturmführer Michael Wittmann, killed on August 8th, 1944. Wittmann and his crew had total kills of 141 tanks and 132 anti-tank canons!
DAY 2 - American Airborne Sectors, 82nd and 101st Airborne
This unique tour focuses on the American 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions who established positions behind the Utah invasion sector during the drop on Drop Zones deep behind German defense lines. This day-tour will retrace the footprints of these two historic units including the famous “Easy Company” under Lt. Dick Winters’s command, 101st Airborne- “Band of Brothers” fame. This is an in-depth tour with many stops on key areas.
Graignes
During the night, about 170 paratroopers (HQ Coy, 3rd Battalion, 507 PIR, 82nd Airborne Division) and other misdropped and isolated members of the 101st Airborne Division, landed 12 miles South from their assigned Drop Zone. Graignes was the scene of a terrible massacre conducted by elements of the 17th German SS "Götz von Berlichingen" Division. Nowadays, this village overlooks a calm countryside and peaceful marshes. Visiting this place is the key to understand the misdrops.
Sainte-Mère-Eglise
Sainte-Mere-Eglise is one of the most memorable places depicted in the famous movie- The Longest Day. This tour will show you the famous church tower upon which the American paratrooper John Steele landed. A mannequin hangs with a parachute on the church tower to commemorate his courageous jump.
"Dog", "Easy" and "Fox" Companies, 2nd Battalion, 506th PIR, were also to jump at 1 AM on DZ "C" near Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. Some elements of Easy Company jumped near this village.
Sainte-Mere-Eglise was officially the first town liberated at 4:30 AM on D-Day.
You will see a CG 4 Waco glider, a C-47 transport plane and a number of historical military artifacts which have been professionally displayed to commemorate and honour the D-day invasion.
A film comprised of archive material is available to visitors retracing the mission and footsteps of the US paratroopers who landed in Normandy.
Sainte Mère Eglise Museum
Here you will see an actual CG 4 Waco glider, a C-47 transport plane, and a number of historical military artifacts which have been professionally displayed to commemorate and honour the D-day invasion. A film comprised of archive material is available to visitors retracing the mission and footsteps of the many paratroopers who landed in Normandy. This museum is one to see in any D-Day tour!
La Fière Bridge
You will have a clear view of the inland areas that had been flooded by the Germans and the marshes of the river Merderet. This is the place where many men of the 82nd Airborne were located under orders of General Gavin to resist the German counter-attacks and hold two strategic bridges for the defence of the town of Sainte-Mère-Eglise and the future use of the D15 to cut the Cherbourg peninsula in two.
LUNCH AT SAINTE-MÈRE-EGLISE
(Not included)
1LT Thomas Meehan III
Crash of the C47# 66 at Beuzeville au Plain
We will take advantage of this way running forward the next halt for showing you the Memorial erected in honour of some brave of "Easy Company".
On June 5th, 1st Lieutenant Thomas Meehan III boarded a C-47 to parachute into Normandy. Prior to the jump however, he had just been appointed "E" Company Commander, replacing Captain Sobel. Meehan was in plane 66, along with the Company’s staff comprised of 16 paratroopers. His plane crashed in a field at Beuzeville au Plain. A tour of the crashsite will enable you to see the monument erected in memory of Lt. Meehan, but also the field where the crash actually occurred.
Marmion's Farm
The very first newsreel of the airborne invasion in Normandy shown in movie theatres in the United States was filmed at this particular farmhouse. Due to special permission given by the owner to our company, you will have the privilege of entering this farm and being in the exact location of many of the best-known American press photographs taken during WWII at this site. Some of the photos show Stopka’s task force displaying the first Nazi flag captured by the 101st Airborne Division. Many famous photographs in D-Day and WWII books were taken at this site.
Brecourt Manor
On D-Day, Easy Company, 506 PIR, fought one of its most important battles at this location. In a field between Le Grand Chemin and Brecourt Manor, a ditch line with trees bordered the property. Spaced at intervals along that ditch were 4 German 105mm cannons hidden under the thick and high hedgerow.
The guns were zeroed in on U.S. forces landing on Utah Beach near Exit #2. Lt. Dick Winters , Easy Company, led a small group of men and systematically took out all four guns He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for this attack. Other soldiers were also awarded medals for their action as well. It is said that the tactic employed by Lt Winters at this particular field is still taught at the American Academy of West Point.
Come and discover the field where Lieutenant Winters and a group of paratroopers instinctively led the attack on these batterys without an elaborate plan or briefing, saving countless American lives on Utah beach.
Pratt Memorial
General Pratt, 101st Airborne Division, was initially supposed to land and arrive on Utah Beach during the afternoon of D-Day. Prior to General Pratt's jump, however, General Maxwell D. Taylor persuaded Pratt to join the first wave of gliders to land in Normandy, instead. Pratt would have preferred to jump with his men but he had not completed the necessary training to qualify him to make a parachute jump at the time. Unknown to Pratt, his glider had been seriously overloaded and it crashed in a field. A plaque commemorates the crash. He was the first United States General to be killed in action during the D-Day Invasion.
Hiesville
Le Cauday farmhouse was the first General Maxwell Taylor Headquarters. General Taylor kept his Headquarters at this location for 8 days following June 6th, 1944.
...On the way, you will see the first 506th PIR Command Post to Culloville.
We will cross the village of Vierville where a fierce battle between elements of 101st Airborne and 6th German PIR took place.
Angoville au Plain
Here you will visit a very old and quaint church from the 12 century, in which Bob Wright, and Kenneth Moore -two medics from the 501st PIR, 101st Airborne Division, tended to over 80 American and German wounded soldiers for over 72 non-stop hours. It was near this church also that Colonel Sink, 506th PIR, established his second command post on D-day +1.
On the way, you will see Drop Zone D...
Dead Man Corner Museum
This excellent Museum is located at the spot where men of the 101st Airborne Division encountered the Green Devils (the German paratroopers of the 6th Fallschirmjager Regiment) for the first time. You can get an insight of the horror of the battle for Carentan on the site which has remained largely intact.
Now crossing the four strategic Bridges to Carentan and running forward Bloody Gulch.
After securing Carentan, Easy Company took up position on the western side of the town. Two other companies of the second Battalion were positioned on the left when German Paratroopers and elements of the 17 SS launched a counter-attack on the Americans. We now enter Carentan by the way taken by 2nd Battalion, 506th, on the June 12th, 1944. It’s somewhere on this road that Lt. Dick Winters of Easy Company motivated his men to take the town under German machine gun fire, along with other paratrooper units in the area.
Carentan
The hinge-town needed to be taken to link up both Utah and Omaha beach heads. Carentan was defended by the battle-hardened 6th Parachute Infantry Regiment, led by Colonel Frederick von der Heydte. His orders were to defend the town to the last man.
Re-live in a few hours the D-Day landing of the british troops on Gold Beach, North East of Bayeux. They were the first british soldiers to land in Normandy on June 6th 1944 at 7.25am. At the end of this crucial day, most of the objectives of those 25 000 soldiers were successfully done, such as the liberation of Arromanches, the connection with the canadian forces landed on Juno to the East, and finally the approach of Bayeux and the precious National Road 13.
Guided Omaha sector morning tour (9am to noon): Pointe du Hoc. Omaha beach & the American cemetery.
Guided American beaches afternoon tour: (12:50PM to 6PM) Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach, Omaha Beach Memorial Museum, American Cemetery, German cemetary.** Note that if you are in Paris you have a train arriving in Bayeux at 12:46pm, driver guide can pick you up directly at the train station in Bayeux for this tour.
Guided Sword - Gold afternoon tour (12:50PM to 6pm). Pegasus bridge + Museum, Ouistreham, Hillman bunkers, British Cemetery, Creully.** Note that if you are in Paris you have a train arriving in Bayeux at 12:46pm, driver guide can pick you up directly at the train station in Bayeux for this tour.
Juno Beach Center Museum, Courseulles sur mer, Bernieres sur mer, Canadian Cemetery, Carpiquet and The Ardenne Abbey.
Our Band of Brothers Tour is an exceptional tour, and will be of great interest to those who saw Steven Spielberg’s famous movie, Band of Brothers. This tour will enable you to link the fictional movie locations with the real places of the paratroops landings into Normandy. Many sites on this tour are inaccessible to most other tour companies, and remain secluded from entry. However, due to the generosity of various land owners, and our personal relationship with them, you will have the privilege of seeing places like Brecourt Manor, and many other places where Lt. Winters and members of Easy Company stayed during the first nights of the Invasion. Carentan and the four bridges of Carentan, Bloody Gulch, Angoville au Plain, Drop Zone D, Sainte Mere Eglise, Utah Beach, Brecourt Manor.
Sainte Mere Eglise + Airborne Museum, Utah Beach, Pointe du Hoc, Omaha Beach,
Guide at your disposition for a walking tour of the medieval city of bayeux, including a visit at the museum of medieval tapestries. Guide only.
Let's go for a ride in a Jeep and drive it! See the landing beaches during this half day tour customized for you with a Jeep. Minimum 2 persons.
This is a private guided tour to Omaha, US cemetary, or the Canadian beaches. Tour entirely customized for you with a private driver guide & transport.
This is a private guided tour to Mont saint michel half day or full day from Bayeux.
This is a private guided tour to the most beautiful villages on the Normandy coast, Honfleur, Deauville, antiquiting, farms visits, tour "à la carte". Calvados tasting, local gastronomy.
Horses and all materials included.
Boat ride and finishing with or without the materials, can be furnished for fishing with supplement.
Private flight over the landing beaches of Normandy : Le Havre, Deauville, Trouville, Cabourg, Juno Beach, Gold Beach, Arromanches, Omaha Beach, pointe du Hoc, return through the countryside/pays d'Auge. (45 minutes flight).
This visit can be customized to your own taste, but this is a sample program for 2 persons: Arriving in Bayeux from Paris by train or car, your guide will transfer you to the Chateau 4 star after giving you a local tour of Bayeux. Full tour of the landing beaches in the afternoon, private guide and transportation. Spend the night in the Chateau, dinner included. The next morning, after breakfast, full day private tour of the Mont Saint Michel. Return to Paris the same evening, transfer to train station in Bayeux. Transfer upon arrival in Paris to your hotel. All included for 2 persons (except lunches). Train tickets and transfers from Paris not included but can be added. Extra nights can also be added.
Included in your package: one night accomodation Chateau hotel *** with breakfasts, Tour B by minivan (afternoon US beaches tour), private half day mont saint michel, guide & transport.