Normandy trip 2010 (including then and now photos)

Discussion in 'WW2 Battlefields Today' started by jagdpanther44, May 28, 2010.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Keep em coming :D
     
  2. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    Andy thinking of "then and now" photos.
    One you should not pass "Tilly-sur-Serulles 1944" by Stephane Jacquet. ( Heimdal (2010).
    This is a really excellent account of the series of battles which took place around Tilly , a village which exchanged hands 23 times.
    The text is in French and English it reads well and the author certainly has put together an outstanding work , the photographic content is second to none.
    You will not go far wrong on this one. :)
    (The author is the curator of the Museum at Tilly).

    See Les éditions heimdal

    The book fair at Tilly , well worth a visit many local authors / historians , Heimdal publishers and some visiting dealers and authors from the UK.

    For the second year Mr.Tim Harper who runs "World War Books" had an excellent stall a friendly and easy gent to do business with. ( Highly recommended).
    Also Mr Ian Daglish - his books on "Goodwood" , "Bluecoat" and Epson" being published by Pen and Sword.....I could not leave without them.

    Attached Tim Harper , Ian Daglish's stall and the Heimdal display adjacent to the Museum.
     

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  3. azza

    azza Member

    Originally Posted by jagdpanther44 [​IMG]
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    The before and after shots that you have are truly amazing, It really puts things into perspective if you havent seen them before. This one is great with the busted up half track and I also noticed the old telegraph pole in the back round is still standing... I wouldnt want to lean to hard on that waiting for a bus, ha ha
     
  4. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    James - I popped into the Tilly fair after we had been to Bayeux. It was good to see Tim Harper and had a long chat with him (he offered a very generous discount to the vets). I couldn't find Ian Dalglish but I was pleased to meet Kevin Baverstock, author of Taming the Panzers.
     
  5. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    Paul we left Tilly at approx. 1.00 - Ian Daglish had his stall adjacent to the front door of the Museum just round the corner ( to the left) from the Heimdal authors/stall.

    Tim Harper is a very decent gent I will certainly check with him first when looking for anything which is out of print.
    He was at the St. Mere Eglise fair on Friday and the Veriville fair on Saturday but found them poor as far as book sales went , to get parked and set up he had to be out on site for 5.00am now that is what I call an early start.

    Being weak I have just bought Ian Daglish's "Operation Bluecoat" via Amazon , the format of his other two books is really very impressive .
    I did say in conversation with him that I probably didn't need another two books on Normandy ( thinking of how much "M" will look forward to seeing them :) ) , having bought and read sections of his "Goodwood" and "Epson" I am really happy to have them - not a penny wasted.

    In the middle of the day a party of veterans laid a wreath at the civilian memorial - Stephane Jacquet spoke on behalf of the villagers and the small ceremony was carried off with a quiet simple dignity which only men like this can muster , their act being widely appreciated by all present.
     

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  6. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Yes the Bluecoat book is good - I got it before I went but not had a chance to look at it properly yet.
     
  7. James S

    James S Very Senior Member

    I usually don't sleep much before 1.00am and as the other guys hit the sack in advance of me three quarters of an hour can run by pretty quickly when leafing through and reading "I.D's" "Goodwood".
    On many levels a very enjoyable morning.

    On Friday afternoon we visited the Batterie Azville on previous years it always seemed to be closed.
    The complex has been made safe for visitors and much of the tunnel systems are open and in a good state of repair - an electronic guide is included in the admission price - a number system guides the visitor around the site giving a concise and accurate account of the structures , the battle and background of the Normandy battle.
    An hour or so well spent.
    The last three photos show how a naval shell entered and exited a casement without exploding - it buried itself out side the rear of the casement and was found when the site was being cleared up in preparation for opening.
    The shell killed 15 soldiers on its way through - the air pressure and fragments of steel and concrete thrown up.
    According to the guide the relationship between the villagers and the batterie seems to have been quite good although the locals didn't go out of their way to help or assist the Germans.
     

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  8. blacksnake

    blacksnake As old as I feel.

    Sainte-mer-Eglise again.

    Let me know if your all getting bored

    Bored!!! How very dare you young man! Excellent 'Now & Then' shots as ever John... You'll get bored of 'framing - linking - posting - etc.' long before we get bored of looking.

    BTW - Roof Box in August... Think I'll wait for your posts, Cheers! :mellow:
     
  9. jagdpanther44

    jagdpanther44 Senior Member

    young man

    Chris, I like the above part of your post the best. :lol:

    I can always drill a few large air holes in to the roofbox. ;)
     
  10. Jayvictory

    Jayvictory Junior Member

    John,

    The now and then pictures are great. I could look at them all day, thank you for posting them.

    Cheers

    Dean
     
  11. AussieBrit

    AussieBrit Junior Member

    G'day John
    Glad you have a great trip, the photo's are terrific
    I am going to Villers Bocage in early August 2010, intend to see the area where the 7th Arm had a great fight against Michael Wittman, hope to see the exact spot of the fighting.
    It must have been great to see the actual battlefields.

    Cheers Aussie Brit
     
  12. Ken Smith

    Ken Smith WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Hi, Just returned from 5 days in Normandy with the York branch of the N.V.A. Total journey 1,800 miles! Militry Historian Paul Reed with us for second year. Great reception everywhere. My big interest is hill 112, never to be forgotton. Ken Smith. Veteran 5th D.C.L.I.
     
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  13. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Wonderful pictures,Though the Falaise that I saw was a picture of utter carnage.
    Sapper
     
    James S likes this.
  14. Recce_Mitch

    Recce_Mitch Very Senior Member

    Great photos,thanks for sharing.

    Cheers
    Paul
     
  15. jagdpanther44

    jagdpanther44 Senior Member

    Hi, Just returned from 5 days in Normandy with the York branch of the N.V.A. Total journey 1,800 miles! Militry Historian Paul Reed with us for second year. Great reception everywhere. My big interest is hill 112, never to be forgotton. Ken Smith. Veteran 5th D.C.L.I.

    Ken, our paths almost crossed in Normandy as I was trying to arrange a meeting with Paul whilst there.

    However, it never came to fruition...maybe next year?

    Wonderful pictures,Though the Falaise that I saw was a picture of utter carnage.
    Sapper

    Brian, I don't suppose anyone who did not witness it with there own eyes could begin to imagine the scene of destruction in the area.

    Photographs only show a small part of a very large area of devastation.

    [​IMG]
     
  16. jagdpanther44

    jagdpanther44 Senior Member

    This comparison was taken in the town of St-Aubin-sur-Mer.

    It shows captured german soldiers being marched off to a holding area.

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  17. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Indescribable carnage.... What made it that much worse, is that it went on for many miles...... The stench of death was unspeakable. Even the planes overflying Falaise complained of the smell that got in their cockpits.

    Some Germans had taken private cars to get away, only to be caught by the incoming fire.. I recall one man sat in the driving seat, reaching for the half open car door only for the flames to overtake him before he got out,. A blackened skeletal figure frozen in time as he started to get out.
    Everywhere the German horses dead with theor feet in the air...Not nice... Dont want to see it again... Unlss the Germans were at Orador or Tulle?
    Sapper
     
  18. jagdpanther44

    jagdpanther44 Senior Member

    Thanks for the graphic description, Brian. I've seen similar pictures of the charred remains of personel half out of tanks in the Falaise Gap.

    It's understandable that you would not want to witness such a scene ever again.

    This is my last comparison from this years trip...was that a 'thank god' I heard you all shout? ;)

    This is also in St-Aubin-sur-Mer.

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    Paul Reed likes this.
  19. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    I've really enjoyed them - thanks for sharing your hard work.
     
  20. sapper

    sapper WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Very many thanks for the pictures Etc Sapper Wonderful
     

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