Latest D-Day70 News from MOD

Ah, that could explain why we had a note from the Post Office through our door this morning.
Apparently whatever it is they tried to deliver is either too big or needs a signature and there was nobody in. Will have to pick it up on Monday.
Bloody good job we aren't leaving until silly O'clock on Tuesday!

 

Should just be a small package contains car pass, event pass and neck cord and letter. No one will know about Sword until the 3rd.

Have a safe journey.

 

The weather forecast is improving...

http://www.worldweatheronline.com/Bayeux-weather/Basse-Normandie/FR.aspx



Whatever you decide to do, chaps, enjoy yourselves ! It is after all a celebration of a wonderful feat of military daring and endeavour. Not just a ceremony of remembrance.

 

! It's going to tip it down according to that forecast. 12mm rain on Saturday.

 

Must be at night then, otherwise they wouldn't have put the sun symbol there, would they ? What the hell, I'll have my waterproofs !

 

What time is the NVA Parade in Arromanches on the 6th. I can't seem to find information anywhere! I assume there is one?

 

I was wondering the same, as the international event in Ouistrham is in the afternoon of the 6th. There will be military vehicles on the beach from 3pm until around 6pm at Arromanches on the 6th, as has been the norm during the various commemorations.

 

....which makes it all the more curious!

 

There is an update from the Normandy Guide.....http://www.normandie-tourisme.fr/normandy-tourism-109-2.html.

It provides a link to the official website.....The 70th Anniversary of D Day and the Battle of Normandy and illustrates "certified events"

 

I believe the parade is at 18.00 hrs.

 

Thanks both. 6pm makes sense in the context of other information I've received.

 

Having found some information on twitter, the parade at Arromanches is at 6pm and Prince William and Kate will be in attendance.

 

Arromanches is going to be crowded!....they are also putting up three large screens so people can view the International Ceremony. OK, that's earlier in the day but crowd control is going to be fascinating.

 

Picked up our passes and vehicle pass today, all seems in order.
Yes - crowd and vehicle control will be interesting!
I guess a lot of people at Ouistreham will try to get to Arromanches as well, we probably will but timing will be a bit tight to say the least.

 

FYI Arromanches from the MOD

At 6:00 pm, a parade hosted by Arromanches Town Council and, historically, managed by the Surrey Branch of the Normandy Veterans Association will take place. This will be followed by a short service of remembrance in the central car park outside the D-Day Museum.

Refreshments are also being provided by the Royal Navy’s HMS BULWARK Ships Company for Normandy Veterans and their guests.

There are events occurring all day in the town, beginning with a flag raising ceremony at 8:00 am. However, to attend the parade and service in the evening, please arrive in good time to be seated or in place no later than 5:30 pm for the parade/ service to start at 6:00 pm.

Please wear your personal accreditation pass to allow the local officials to identify you, however no tickets are required. Priority seating will be provided for Normandy Veterans.

Travel by coach or private car: drive directly to Arromanches where British and French Military/ Police personnel will guide you to the allocated parking areas. Most parking will be outside the town with a ‘Park-and-Ride’ system being provided to take you to the events.

To gain access to the Arromanches area, your vehicle must display the car sticker issued (to be stuck on the right hand side of your windscreen). Be aware that there will be road closures. French and British military/ police forces will be present at control/ access points and will be able to help and advise you on routes to take. Please follow their instructions and guidance.

 

Thanks JB, that is in the info we got from MOD too.
Let's hope it all works out OK.
I will be putting an A4 size WW2Talk logo in the back window of our hired Ford Tourneo so if anyone spots it come and say hello. I also have mobile phone numbers for 4 forum members and hope we can meet up at some point, probably at Pegasus Bridge on the 5th and Tilly on the 7th or 8th.

Really looking forward to it now!!!

 

.....look forward to meeting up.

 

Unfortunately we were not allowed a' Pass' to enter the regulated zone and therefore sadly unable to attend the service at Creully.
We paid our respects on the 5th June .

 

....wondered why we didn't bump into each other. All the more infuriating because a load of re-enactors arrived just as the local school children were singing to us. The re enactors were told in no uncertain terms to go away! Needless to say, they all had passes! The French authorities really do have to sort this out on future occasions......that and the ridiculous traffic jams, most of which appeared to be due to lack of planning and which is why we didn't have a chance to meet Mike.

.....now. Off to Omaha, Point du Hoc etc tomorrow then off back to blighty tomorrow night.