April 17
After saying our goodbyes to Eric and Rosita, we headed for Normandy for our WWII history experience.Our first stop was Dieppe, the site of an allied attack on the port by Canadian troops.History tells us that this invasion attempt was an attempt to figure out what would work best for the planned D-day invasion in WWII.The methods in Dieppe were unsuccessful and thousands of Canadians were slaughtered. It was an expensive information gathering project. Dieppe was also the home port for William the Conqueror.
Later that day we drove to Dives-Sur-Mer which is the Northern beginning of the Normandy WWII historical area. We stayed at the Ibis hotel, drove a short way into town where we walked around, had dinner, and visited the casino. We went to the famous Grand Hotel, a throwback to the travelling of the rich and famous. The host there thought the men’s bathroom was the highlight of the attached casino and wanted Beverly to go see it -- which she did and took a picture.
April 18
In the morning, we visited the town again to walk the beach, then we drove to Arromanches to see the main D-Day museum.The museum recalls the whole D-Day operation and how the Allies built a port in Arromanches, near Omaha Beach, to bring in supplies for the European campaign.Pieces of the port still remain. We stayed at the la Marine hotel overlooking the beach.
Pictures:
1. Mike at Dieppe port
2. Beverly enjoying the afternoon sun in Dieppe
3. Mike at the casino in the Grand Hotel in Dives Su Mer
4. The Men's toilet at the casino
5. Beverly at Normandy Beach
6. Normandy Beach map
7. Mike outside Grand Hotel
8. Port mock up from museum
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