Normandy Invasion !

[Chris Boonzaier]

So... how about this for an idea... a thread comprising of all items, of all nations that were used in Normandy.

Medals awarded for, uniforms worn in, photos taken in , maps used in...

And if possible, if you know something about the piece, a bit of the history behind it?

This was a jacket from a local 12th SS HJ man who served in Normandy, I am not sure that he wore this exact jacket while there, but I am assuming so.

[Chris Boonzaier]

let your imagination run wild here, before and after photos would be welcome as well.

[buellmeister]

The guns have long been silent at the Batterie of Longues...

[buellmeister]

While on our Honeymoon, my wife spotted a small Museum right beside the entrance to Omaha Beach. Here is what was in front of the building. The classic German 88MM and what is I believe a PAK 43 with a little camoflage paint remaining!

Regards,

Joel

[buellmeister]

..

[buellmeister]

Pointe du Hoc anyone?

[buellmeister]

St Mere Eglise. Here is a shot depicting the heroic act of a Paratrooper named John Steele and to this day this little hamlet hasn't forgotten!

[Tony]

All I have is a book which my Grandad bought in 1954 and some photos of Uncle Albert who was stationed near St. Lo.

Preparing for the invasion:

Edited November 27, 2006 by Tony

[Tony]

Wouldn't fancy their job

[Tony]

Meanwhile, across the Channel, Uncle Albert, who was soon to be captured, was enjoying a day at the beach with his mates.

[Tony]

My Grandad was a Trooper in the 141st Regt. RAC. and arrived in Normandy on 19th June, which must have been tons safer than it was for those who arrived 13 days earlier.

Some time in October he wandered across the wrong side of the line (don't know where) in his fuel tanker and was shot at by some Germans. After doing a runner, he was soon surrounded by the Americans and taken prisoner, which must have given the German POWs a good laugh. After 24 hours of pleading not guilty in a strong London accent, he was given to some Canadian troops who took him to their MO. He spent the rest of his war in hospital, being discharged from service in March 1945.

I wonder if my Grandad met my wife?s uncle Albert.

[Tony]

Another days work in France, June -August near Caen.

[Tony]

Probably a set piece photo

[Tony]

Caen

Tony

[buellmeister]

Here is a picture of one of the Churches in Caen. The results of the fighting and bombing can be seen even today. Please note the lean and crack on the main entrance.

Regards,

Joel

Great pictures Tony!

Edited November 28, 2006 by buellmeister

[Hauptmann]

Wow Gents! Excellent job on this section so far! Love these pics... hope they keep coming. Joel, how I wish I'd known you'd find that 88 as I'd have absolutely love pics of the optics if they're still attached. Seems the hardest thing to get in pics of 88's... and I've seen tons of them... but they never seem to show the optics. Only one I ever got was one I took with my digital camera off a documentary on the TV in freeze frame! Came on it quite by accident and the only one I've ever seen.

I tried writing the staff at Aberdeen Proving Grounds and sure enough they have 88's but basically they said I'd have to come to take pics of whatever I wanted. Arrrrrgh! Hopefully next time we're in Maryland but that could be several years from now.

Hopefully more pics will show up at some point. Will continue to keep my fingers crossed. But boy oh boy how I'd love that puppy in my front (or back) yard. Kim might grumble a bit but c'est la guerre!

Keep up the great work!

Dan

[Chris Boonzaier]

Some nice pics guys!!!

anyone got any good documents to guys in Normandy?

[jcsanche]

Hello

I have 2 contributions. The first is my wife's dad. He was a paratrooper with the 82nd airborne division and he jumped during the Normandy invasion. I onlt met him one time. He never spoke about the war to his children.

Juan

[jcsanche]

My second contibution is about Lt Fritz Beer. He was a pioneer officer killed at Normandy. I have his walking out tunic and his issued combat tunic.

Juan

[jcsanche]

Lt Fritz Beer records stating that he was killed in June 1944

Juan

[Chris Boonzaier]

Wow, I bet your father in law had a hard war. A pity it was not possible to find out more.

Did you manage to find out info about the cemetary Beer was buried in? There is usually a way to get photos of the grave.

[jcsanche]

I do not know German but he was burried in Champigny-St Andre. I forgot to mention that I rerceived this group from Chris. I am so thankfull Chris

Juan

[Chris Boonzaier]

I do not know German but he was burried in Champigny-St Andre. I forgot to mention that I rerceived this group from Chris. I am so thankfull Chris

Juan

I was very happy to see it go to a good home.

I will be leaving for a month, when I get back i will see if its possible to get a phot of the grave and cemetary, or maybe someone can in the meantime. I think it is possible through the German graved site...

[Tony]

It says he is buried in the war cemetery at Champigny-St Andre and gives the exact position of his grave.

Tony

[jcsanche]

When I received the uniform set I was very happy. When I was able to find his records It really hit me hard the realization that he was only 20 years old when he died. He was just a kid ( I am 47 years old now). What a terrible war.

Juan

Edited November 29, 2006 by jcsanche