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HomeFull-Day American Airborne Tour
Description
On this full-day tour of the American Airborne sector, you will visit the most important sites: Sainte-Mère-Église, La Fière and Cauquigny, Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, Brécourt Manor, Angoville-au-Plain, Dead Man's Corner and the Carentan Causeway. Along the way and on-site, you will hear how the most significant military operation was planned and prepared, what units were involved, their objectives, and how victory was achieved.
Highlights
- Sainte-Mère-Église
- La Fière and La Fière causeway
- Cauquigny
- Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
- Brécourt Manor
- Angoville-au-Plain
- Dead Man's Corner and Carentan Causeway
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- Sainte-Mére-Èglise:
- Capturing and holding the town became a major objective of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, on D-Day. The town, with a population of 1,200, strategically situated on the main N13 highway to Cherbourg and only a few miles away from the coast was a major transportation hub on the Cotentin Peninsula; no fewer than five roads ran through it, and the German telephone line along the French coast also passed through it. Control Sainte-Mère-Église and you control the Cotentin Peninsula, the American planners said. Sainte-Mére-Èglise is considered the first town liberated by American troops in France and played an important role in the classic war movie "The Longest Day".
- During a visit to the famous church and square, you will learn about the unfortunate paratroopers dropped over SME (including the famous story of John Steele) and the fierce fighting between the German garrison and the American paratroopers.
- La Fière:
- The bridge over the Merderet creek at La Fière was one of two important crossings over this small waterway that had to be taken by the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, along with the causeway that led through flooded terrain to the tiny hamlet of Cauquigny. This battle resulted in the award of a Medal of Honor, one of two Medal of Honor awarded to the 82nd Airborne Division in Normandy.
- From our vantage point next to the famous Iron Mike monument, you'll have an outstanding view of the battlefield as you hear about the three-day battle that went down in the historiography of the Battle of Normandy.
- Cauquigny and Medal of Honor recipient Charles DeGlopper:
- Cauquigny, a small hamlet at the western end of the causeway of La Fière, was the scene of fierce battles during the battle for La Fière.
- We will visit the church of Cauquigny to see the stained glass windows commemorating the battle and pay tribute to Private Charles DeGlopper, posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic self-sacrifice in saving the lives of his comrades.
- Bocage - Hedgerow Country:
- The Normandy hedgerow landscape, called Bocage, particularly prevalent in the American sectors, made the advance against the German defenders very difficult and costly.
- You will see typical examples of the Norman Bocage hedgerows and hear how the Germans turned many of these hedgerows into formidable defences and what solutions the Americans developed to overcome them.
- Sainte-Marie-du-Mont:
- The unusually shaped bell tower of the beautiful church in Sainte-Marie-du-Mont served as a landmark for many paratroopers on D-Day. However, it was also used by the Germans as an observation post with a clear view of Utah Beach and the landing of the US 4th Infantry Division.
- During a brief stop at the church square, you will hear about the fierce fighting in this small rural town that was finally liberated on the morning of June 6, 1944.
- Brécourt Manor:
- At Brécourt Manor, the famous attack by a small group of men from Easy Company, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, led by 1st Lieutenant Richard Winters, resulted in the destruction of a German artillery battery shelling Utah Beach.
- You will hear about Dick Winters' skillfully planned and executed attack, detailed in the television miniseries Band of Brothers, which is still presented and taught at the West Point Military Academy as an example of a successful attack by vastly outnumbered troops.
- Angoville-au-Plain:
- This small hamlet was the scene of fierce combat and changed hands several times. In the church of Angoville-au-Plain, one of the greatest legends of the Battle of Normandy was born.
- Hear the remarkable story of two brave and committed American medics of the 101st Airborne Division who saved the lives of many of their American comrades but also treated Germans and a 13-year-old French boy. We will visit the church to see the beautiful stained-glass windows and the traces of the battle still visible in the church.
- Dead Man's Corner – Carentan Causeway:
- Here a two-story building was turned into an advanced command post and aid station of the German Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6 (6th Parachute Regiment) on D-Day and, after its capture, was taken over by American paratroopers. From here, the men of the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, attempted to capture the strategically important town of Carentan but suffered enormous casualties on the causeway until they finally succeeded.
- Hear the story of Dead Man's Corner, Purple Heart Lane, the bayonet charge, and the costly fighting that ultimately led to the capture of Carentan.
- Sainte-Mére-Èglise:
What's Included
- Private tour of the American Airborne sector on the Cotentin peninsula lasting from 09:00 a.m. until 05:30 p.m.
What's Excluded
- The cost for the client's lunch, beverages, and food must be paid by the client.
What to bring
- Normandy is green for a reason: it rains frequently. The weather-resistant outer gear is, therefore, essential. Wearing layers can help one adjust quickly to changing weather conditions. Sturdy footwear is recommended when we leave the beaten tracks. Bringing compact umbrellas can be useful if it is not too windy. On fine days with clear visibility, binoculars can add immensely to the experience.
Know before you go
- A private tour provides you with the best experience and highest satisfaction. All our tour itineraries are suggestions that can be adapted to your needs and interests. By prior arrangement, we are extremely flexible as far as time and distance allow.
- The guide is only offering "step-on tours" where he will join you in your car. This means you drive, and he will navigate while providing more general information about the Battle of Normandy between stops.
- What we think makes us unique is providing you with a free personalized e-book version of our popular guidebook to the D-Day landing beaches after your tour with us.
- During your tour, the guide will take photos of you standing in front of monuments, bunkers, and other memorable landmarks. These photos are then incorporated into your personal e-book copy of the guidebook and made available for download on the same day you join us on tour.
- The personalized e-book will help you remember what you saw and heard, and you will no longer have to worry that all your impressions will blur at the end of a long day. The personalized e-book will also be the perfect souvenir to show to your friends and family back home. And it's all included in the regular tour price!
- We want you to spend with us an unforgettable day on the landing beaches and battlefields of Normandy. We offer high quality and excellent value for money; your total satisfaction at the end of a long and interesting day is at the heart of everything we do.
- Please note: Since the tour is conducted in your (rental) vehicle, it is up to you to make sure you have all the necessary car insurance that is normally offered when renting a car. Please also make sure that you have Personal Accident Insurance (PAI) that covers accidental death and emergency medical expense benefits to the renter and all passengers (including your guide) in the rental car.
- The guide is afraid that he cannot accept responsibility for any loss, damage or injury to persons or property during a tour.
Cancellation Policy
For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 50% of the tour price.Price Details
| The group size and price | |
| 1 To 10 | EUR 350 Per Group |
This is a private tour | |
Starting From
see details
USD 389 / group