York NVA in Normandy 2012: Some Photos

Discussion in 'WW2 Battlefields Today' started by Paul Reed, Jun 9, 2012.

  1. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Ken Smith at Arromanches.

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  2. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    A Spitfire flew over Arromanches.

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  3. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Later that day we went back to Pegasus Bridge and Black Watch veteran Ken Bell had 'Black Bear' played for him. It was a good end to 6th June.

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  4. ritsonvaljos

    ritsonvaljos Senior Member

    On 6th June we held our own service at Ryes War Cemetery and were joined by some veterans from the Surrey branch NVA.


    Two brothers of one of my aunts (by marriage) are buried side by side at Ryes (Bazenville):

    Robert CASSON, 25, died 6 June 1944 (IV.B.1);
    Joseph CASSON, 18, died 27 June 1944 (IV.B.2).

    Do you happen to know if they were the mates of any of your group by any chance, Paul?
     
    James S likes this.
  5. Oldman

    Oldman Very Senior Member

    Paul
    Thank you for the photo's and post
     
  6. Combover

    Combover Guest

    Paul,

    Looks like all present enjoyed their trip, Good work. It also looks like we just missed eachother at the bridge!
     
  7. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    On our final day we went inland and started at the village of Saint Hymer, which Cyril Haworth had liberated in a half-track in August 1944.

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  8. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    We then drove down to the Falaise Pocket and stopped at the Tiger at Vimoutiers.

    All three vets below came up against Tigers and were glad to see this was no longer active! (L-R: George Meredith 11th Armoured Division, Ken Smith 5th DCLI, Gordon Collinsn 1st RTR).

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  9. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Into the Falaise Pocket.

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  10. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    The weather improved so we walked a small part of the Corridor of Death.

    1944:

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    Same lane today:

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  11. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Down near the Moissy Ford we found some bits of shrapnel, melted glass and bullet heads. Ken Smith and George Meredith both walked down with us.

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  12. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    We then continued to Le Plessis Grimault where Ken Smith fought in August 1944.

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  13. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    There is a memorial to his battalion in the village.

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  14. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    And then it was back to the hotel for a final group photo. Another memorable week.

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  15. Jakob Kjaersgaard

    Jakob Kjaersgaard Senior Member

    Great photos, Paul. Thanks for sharing.
     

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