Got some catchin' up to do....
The Travels of Tel's Tin Tent. (2 Viewers)
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A4K
Brigadier General
Looks like a great museum Terry.
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- #1,443
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
It was actually rather good Evan, especially the coverage of the main theme, and the huge "Mullberry" dioramas, but overall, in comparison to the other museums we visited, nothing "jumped out" to make it significantly special.
That said, the dioramas shown below certainly were very impressive.
I'd forgotten there were actually three displays - one depicts the breakwater, with a ship in the shelter of the "Phoenix" sections, whilst the other, absolutely massive displays, show landing dock and pier sections.
The diorama appears to be about 1/43rd scale (just judging by the diecast vehicles), and is very detailed. OK, a few of the British trucks are actually Bedford RLs, which didn't come into service until the 1950s up to the mid 1970s, but they "do the job" and Mr. Average wouldn't know the difference anyway.
When taking the photos, and trying to minimise reflections as best I could, I hadn't noticed, until Karl pointed it out, that the "sea" was actually moving, simulating the swell, and very effective it was, too !
The last thee pics, taken from the Museum upper gallery, show views across Gold beach, and the remains of the Mullberry harbour.
That's all from the Museum, but I'll be back soon with more from around Arromanches, before moving on to the preserved gun battery at Longues sur Mer.
That said, the dioramas shown below certainly were very impressive.
I'd forgotten there were actually three displays - one depicts the breakwater, with a ship in the shelter of the "Phoenix" sections, whilst the other, absolutely massive displays, show landing dock and pier sections.
The diorama appears to be about 1/43rd scale (just judging by the diecast vehicles), and is very detailed. OK, a few of the British trucks are actually Bedford RLs, which didn't come into service until the 1950s up to the mid 1970s, but they "do the job" and Mr. Average wouldn't know the difference anyway.
When taking the photos, and trying to minimise reflections as best I could, I hadn't noticed, until Karl pointed it out, that the "sea" was actually moving, simulating the swell, and very effective it was, too !
The last thee pics, taken from the Museum upper gallery, show views across Gold beach, and the remains of the Mullberry harbour.
That's all from the Museum, but I'll be back soon with more from around Arromanches, before moving on to the preserved gun battery at Longues sur Mer.
special ed
1st Lieutenant
- 6,573
- May 13, 2018
I like to see worn tires on vehicles, although the paint is fresh. Many museum vehicles have new tires with all of their tread.
Crimea_River
Marshal
Just spent an hour catching up since Thursday Terry and, once again, very impressive and thorough coverage. Thanks also to Karl for the extra photos and clarifications.
My tour of the Juno Beach area in August was of much lower quality, being confined to a single day on a bus to and from le Havre, so we had limited time at each location. We spent maybe 90 minutes in Arromanches, which included time for a reserved lunch, so I did not get into the museum proper. I was just able to visit the lobby area where the large and impressive Mullberry model stood. Also grabbed a small, overpriced bottle of Calvados right next to the hotel you were thinking of staying at.
My tour of the Juno Beach area in August was of much lower quality, being confined to a single day on a bus to and from le Havre, so we had limited time at each location. We spent maybe 90 minutes in Arromanches, which included time for a reserved lunch, so I did not get into the museum proper. I was just able to visit the lobby area where the large and impressive Mullberry model stood. Also grabbed a small, overpriced bottle of Calvados right next to the hotel you were thinking of staying at.
A4K
Brigadier General
Great pics and commentary again guys. Love the shots looking over the Mullberry remains.
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- #1,448
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Yep. I'm not sure, but this "Jeep" may be a post-war ex-French Army Hotchkiss, just judging by what appear to be indicator (turn signal) lamps, and more "modern" looking headlamps. ( I didn't think to look closer at the time).
Not that many years ago, a Hotchkiss "Jeep" could be obtained from French military reserve stocks, unused, new condition, for around £5,000. A very good deal and, although not a genuine WW2 vehicle, it looked identical and had the advantage of (relatively) "modern" running gear, engine, brakes etc.
I very nearly bought one, via a contact I had in France, but as I had nowhere to store it undercover at that time, I had to pass.
Anyway, continuing coverage from Arromanches les Bains, with this, and the following post, being the final photos from the town and immediate surroundings.
Some of the images are from Karl, because a Karl can reach places where other Paras can't - with acknowledgement to the old Heineken advert !
Pics 1 to 4. View point and monuments on the cliff top to the east of the town, with some sections of "Mullberry" piers, and a view down to Gold beach from the car park.
Pics 5 to 8. Impressive sculptures in the D-Day Memorial Garden on the same site.
There is another, stone sculpture here, but I'm saving that one for the very final image, at the end of this Normandy battle sites tour.
Not that many years ago, a Hotchkiss "Jeep" could be obtained from French military reserve stocks, unused, new condition, for around £5,000. A very good deal and, although not a genuine WW2 vehicle, it looked identical and had the advantage of (relatively) "modern" running gear, engine, brakes etc.
I very nearly bought one, via a contact I had in France, but as I had nowhere to store it undercover at that time, I had to pass.
Anyway, continuing coverage from Arromanches les Bains, with this, and the following post, being the final photos from the town and immediate surroundings.
Some of the images are from Karl, because a Karl can reach places where other Paras can't - with acknowledgement to the old Heineken advert !
Pics 1 to 4. View point and monuments on the cliff top to the east of the town, with some sections of "Mullberry" piers, and a view down to Gold beach from the car park.
Pics 5 to 8. Impressive sculptures in the D-Day Memorial Garden on the same site.
There is another, stone sculpture here, but I'm saving that one for the very final image, at the end of this Normandy battle sites tour.
Crimea_River
Marshal
Excellent, and very moving sculptures.
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- #1,451
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Sorry, Andy and Evan, we were obviously posting at the same time glad you're both enjoying the "tour".
Yes Andy, being one of the main tourist towns on the D-Day "trail", I did notice some price differences here and there (especially the Museum entry fee !), compared to some other places we visited, although there was a small militaria shop, set back on the side street leading from the car park, where apparently the prices were quite reasonable ( I didn't go in due to restricted space for my scooter, but Karl reported that were were loads of things, particularly German items such as Helmets and gas mask cannisters, at fairly good prices - maybe I should have had a butchers !).
We passed the place you recommended for lunch, but it was quite busy, and again scooter access would have been difficult, so we found a decent cafe/brasserie, with outdoor seating, just nearby, as shown below.
Pic 1. Looking down on Arromanches from the cliffs to the east of the town, with the Museum prominent in the centre of the photo.
Pic 2. 88 mm FLAK in the same location.
Pic 3. A view of the same cliff-top and monuments, taken from the road leading down to Arromanches, further west.
Pic 4. The street leading to the square and the Museum, with Andy's recommended restaurant on the right.
Pic 5. Lunch in the sun.
Pic 6. A Jambon et Frommage baguette the size of a clarinet - and I'm definitely going to slap my barber when I next see him !!
This concludes the coverage of the British and Canadian landing beaches, although the cliff-top gun battery at Longues sur Mer will be featured next, before moving inland to view a number of key locations in forthcoming posts ( a very brief coverage of the Omaha beach area will be included near the end of the tour).
Back later tonight .....................
Yes Andy, being one of the main tourist towns on the D-Day "trail", I did notice some price differences here and there (especially the Museum entry fee !), compared to some other places we visited, although there was a small militaria shop, set back on the side street leading from the car park, where apparently the prices were quite reasonable ( I didn't go in due to restricted space for my scooter, but Karl reported that were were loads of things, particularly German items such as Helmets and gas mask cannisters, at fairly good prices - maybe I should have had a butchers !).
We passed the place you recommended for lunch, but it was quite busy, and again scooter access would have been difficult, so we found a decent cafe/brasserie, with outdoor seating, just nearby, as shown below.
Pic 1. Looking down on Arromanches from the cliffs to the east of the town, with the Museum prominent in the centre of the photo.
Pic 2. 88 mm FLAK in the same location.
Pic 3. A view of the same cliff-top and monuments, taken from the road leading down to Arromanches, further west.
Pic 4. The street leading to the square and the Museum, with Andy's recommended restaurant on the right.
Pic 5. Lunch in the sun.
Pic 6. A Jambon et Frommage baguette the size of a clarinet - and I'm definitely going to slap my barber when I next see him !!
This concludes the coverage of the British and Canadian landing beaches, although the cliff-top gun battery at Longues sur Mer will be featured next, before moving inland to view a number of key locations in forthcoming posts ( a very brief coverage of the Omaha beach area will be included near the end of the tour).
Back later tonight .....................
A4K
Brigadier General
Great shots of you guys. Love the '88 too, my favourite artillery piece.
Vic Balshaw
Major General
This is just amazing and brings home the enormous scale of the whole invasion. 
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- #1,454
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Thanks chaps.
Now for the final coastal location, at least with D-Day stuff (a very brief visit to the Omaha area will be included near the end of the tour.).
Longues sur Mer battery (WN48).
The battery is located roughly half way between the western edge of Gold beach, and the eastern edge of Omaha beach, just a couple of hundred yards or so inland from 200 feet (60m) high cliffs overlooking the sea, just outside the village of Longues sur Mer, 5 miles (8 km) north of Bayeux.
There are four large, reinforced concrete casemates, with 6 feet thick walls and roofs, each housing a 152 mm naval gun, capable of firing out to 12 miles (19 km), with a rate of fire of up to 8 rounds per minute. These guns were manufactured by the German-controlled Skoda works in what was then Czechoslovakia (these guns are the only ones still in place in Normandy).
In addition to the casemates, there were below ground reinforced concrete ammunition bunkers, bunker accommodation for the 180 troops manning the site, and a further large, reinforced concrete Observation Post/Command Centre, in front of the gun emplacements, near the cliff edge, as well as the usual trenches, wire and minefields etc.
(The OP bunker was the one used in "The Longest Day" movie, were Pluskat first sees the invasion armada, and the naval bombardment commences.)
The battery was originally a naval establishment, under the control of the Kriegsmarine, but was transferred to the Heer (Army) in late 1943.
The site was pounded by Allied aerial bombing in the days immediately preceding the landings, and then suffered very heavy, and extremely accurate naval bombardment in the early morning of June 6th, putting it out of action until the early afternoon, when one gun was able to return fire on the fleet offshore, although there are no records of this gun achieving any meaningful results. However, this gun too was soon silenced, and the battery ceased to operate, and was captured by ground forces on June 7th.
The naval gunfire was so accurate, that one casemate was totally destroyed, and the light cruiser HMS Ajax managed to score a direct hit on the breach block of one the guns, from 6 miles out to sea !
Due to the number of photos, I'll divide these between this and the following post, with the first set being described below.
Pic 1. Map showing the location of Longues sur Mer battery.
Pic 2 and 3. Satellite views of the site as it is today.
Pic 4. Tourist Information Office adjoining the extensive car park (toilets here, but again, no refreshment facilities).
Pics 5 to 7. The first casemate, destroyed by naval gun fire, with the tangled remains of the gun.
Pics 8 and 9. The second casemate, hit by HMS Ajax, with detail shots in the next post.
Now for the final coastal location, at least with D-Day stuff (a very brief visit to the Omaha area will be included near the end of the tour.).
Longues sur Mer battery (WN48).
The battery is located roughly half way between the western edge of Gold beach, and the eastern edge of Omaha beach, just a couple of hundred yards or so inland from 200 feet (60m) high cliffs overlooking the sea, just outside the village of Longues sur Mer, 5 miles (8 km) north of Bayeux.
There are four large, reinforced concrete casemates, with 6 feet thick walls and roofs, each housing a 152 mm naval gun, capable of firing out to 12 miles (19 km), with a rate of fire of up to 8 rounds per minute. These guns were manufactured by the German-controlled Skoda works in what was then Czechoslovakia (these guns are the only ones still in place in Normandy).
In addition to the casemates, there were below ground reinforced concrete ammunition bunkers, bunker accommodation for the 180 troops manning the site, and a further large, reinforced concrete Observation Post/Command Centre, in front of the gun emplacements, near the cliff edge, as well as the usual trenches, wire and minefields etc.
(The OP bunker was the one used in "The Longest Day" movie, were Pluskat first sees the invasion armada, and the naval bombardment commences.)
The battery was originally a naval establishment, under the control of the Kriegsmarine, but was transferred to the Heer (Army) in late 1943.
The site was pounded by Allied aerial bombing in the days immediately preceding the landings, and then suffered very heavy, and extremely accurate naval bombardment in the early morning of June 6th, putting it out of action until the early afternoon, when one gun was able to return fire on the fleet offshore, although there are no records of this gun achieving any meaningful results. However, this gun too was soon silenced, and the battery ceased to operate, and was captured by ground forces on June 7th.
The naval gunfire was so accurate, that one casemate was totally destroyed, and the light cruiser HMS Ajax managed to score a direct hit on the breach block of one the guns, from 6 miles out to sea !
Due to the number of photos, I'll divide these between this and the following post, with the first set being described below.
Pic 1. Map showing the location of Longues sur Mer battery.
Pic 2 and 3. Satellite views of the site as it is today.
Pic 4. Tourist Information Office adjoining the extensive car park (toilets here, but again, no refreshment facilities).
Pics 5 to 7. The first casemate, destroyed by naval gun fire, with the tangled remains of the gun.
Pics 8 and 9. The second casemate, hit by HMS Ajax, with detail shots in the next post.
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Crimea_River
Marshal
Nice. I didn't get out to the command post as we only had about 40 minutes to visit this site before Madame le Conducteur would have screamed at us.
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- #1,456
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Longues sur Mer ................. continued.
Final set of images from Longues sur Mer battery, as detailed below.
Pic 1. The gun hit by HMS Ajax, with Mick and Karl, and others, giving some idea of size.
Pics 2 to 5. Damage to the gun, with a large hole and shrapnel damage in the gun shield, and a great chunk taken out of the breach block, seen from outside and inside the bunker.
Pic 6. Blast damage to the rear of the bunker, directly behind the gun. No chance of survival for the gun crew.
Pics 7 and 8. Casemate and gun 4. Note that not all of the "holes" in the concrete on the casemates are battle damage, as some are anchor points for camouflage nets.
Pic 9. View out to sea, from the bunker line. The track at the right leads to the cliff-top OP bunker.
Pic 10. We didn't visit the OP, so I've used a "library" shot showing a frontal view. In 1944 the area to the front and sides of this bunker were clear of vegetation and obstructions, allowing a clear view out to sea.
Pic 11. A photo on an info board at the site, showing some of the bombing and naval barrage results.
Coming up next, we'll be moving inland to various locations, and visiting some of the Canadian and British battlefields, along with a couple of places where horrendous atrocities took place, a former Advanced Landing Ground for Typhoons and Spitfires, and the large Canadian War Graves Cemetery at Benny sur Mer.
It may take me a little longer to formalise all this and tie-in with the relevant images and maps etc, but I'll be back as soon as I can.
Meanwhile, thanks once again for your interest, kind comments and "likes" etc.
Final set of images from Longues sur Mer battery, as detailed below.
Pic 1. The gun hit by HMS Ajax, with Mick and Karl, and others, giving some idea of size.
Pics 2 to 5. Damage to the gun, with a large hole and shrapnel damage in the gun shield, and a great chunk taken out of the breach block, seen from outside and inside the bunker.
Pic 6. Blast damage to the rear of the bunker, directly behind the gun. No chance of survival for the gun crew.
Pics 7 and 8. Casemate and gun 4. Note that not all of the "holes" in the concrete on the casemates are battle damage, as some are anchor points for camouflage nets.
Pic 9. View out to sea, from the bunker line. The track at the right leads to the cliff-top OP bunker.
Pic 10. We didn't visit the OP, so I've used a "library" shot showing a frontal view. In 1944 the area to the front and sides of this bunker were clear of vegetation and obstructions, allowing a clear view out to sea.
Pic 11. A photo on an info board at the site, showing some of the bombing and naval barrage results.
Coming up next, we'll be moving inland to various locations, and visiting some of the Canadian and British battlefields, along with a couple of places where horrendous atrocities took place, a former Advanced Landing Ground for Typhoons and Spitfires, and the large Canadian War Graves Cemetery at Benny sur Mer.
It may take me a little longer to formalise all this and tie-in with the relevant images and maps etc, but I'll be back as soon as I can.
Meanwhile, thanks once again for your interest, kind comments and "likes" etc.
MiTasol
Captain
You need to train your tapeworm better if you needed refreshments at every stop.
- Thread starter
- #1,458
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Didn't bother me, as I can go virtually all day without food or drink and most of the time, that's what happened !
Just including the info for the benefit of anyone interested in visiting these sites, as it's surprising how many "average" people expect, and want, such places wherever they go.
As an example, on the ferry, both to and from France, by the time we got from the car deck to the main, facilities deck, the cafeteria/restaurants were fairly full of people already at tables eating a complete meal - not just a coffee and a snack, but a substantial, cooked meal - even before the ship had got underway !
For ****s sake, it was only a four hour crossing !!
Just including the info for the benefit of anyone interested in visiting these sites, as it's surprising how many "average" people expect, and want, such places wherever they go.
As an example, on the ferry, both to and from France, by the time we got from the car deck to the main, facilities deck, the cafeteria/restaurants were fairly full of people already at tables eating a complete meal - not just a coffee and a snack, but a substantial, cooked meal - even before the ship had got underway !
For ****s sake, it was only a four hour crossing !!
special ed
1st Lieutenant
- 6,573
- May 13, 2018
Made me hungry - off to fry some bacon!
