D-Day 2014

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 31/05/2013 00:56:57

note from Moderator - This message was moved here after being posted in the wrong forum

Tom Vickers wrote:Can anyone tell me if there is going to be an organised D-day visit next year to Sword beach? I am interested in planning a trip with my family and others and suppose that early booking is essential.

Tom Vickers

Hi I was also wondering if there are any events planned for the 70th anniversary of D Day. I've provisionally booked accomodation for my family. As this would be the first time we,ve visited Sword Beach on this particular date, I'm unsure what events are planned. We're coming to remember my father Ted Pritchard 3 troop No3 commando.

The French press has just announced that the major National commemorations will take place around Ouistreham.
http://www.ouest-france.fr/actu/actuDet_-Normandie.-Le-D-Day-du-ministre-Kader-Arif_55257-2200086_actu.Htm

But it is too early to announce details. But keep a look out on this site around Spring next year
http://www.dday-overlord.com/eng/index.htm

If you only have provisional bookings in that area it might be wise to go firm with the dates around the 6 June 2014.

From Ouistreham
http://www.normandie44lamemoire.com/fichesvilles/ouistreham.html

it is only a short distance to Pegasus bridge where there is always a large gathering. Across the canal & river to Ranville and the military cemetery.
http://www.normandie44lamemoire.com/fichesvilles/ranville.html

Then up the hill to Amfreville (Le Plein) where there are various monuments to the commandos
http://www.normandie44lamemoire.com/fichesvilles/amfrevillehaug.html

Hope that this helps.

I'm hoping that more info will flow into this as the date gets closer - is Stefan on the case?

There are generally a lot of ceremonies around the various memorials which are listed on the website shown in the previous post, indeed, those are organised so that you start off near No.4 landing area which today is called Colville-Montgomery, then progress along into Ouistreham itself, following the route they took on the way in.

Across Pegasus bridge and up into Hauger, there again there is a series of monuments around Amfreville, also listed on the excellent web links shown below, these are called 'Stiels', and No.6 is located at the site of No.4 Commando's HQ in the early days of June 44, indeed their dead were buried there at first and moved later into Ranville.

The locals are very welcoming, in the past obviously anyone wearing a green beret was picked out for special treatment. Those of us of later generations could just blend into the crowd, or could step forward and stand behind them - that way at least you meet others.

Again Stefan could say more about this, but another way is for there to be a particular place, which might sell beer (!!) where anyone who wants to meet others could go - carrying something easily recognisable. I have such respect for the Green beret that I would not dream of wearing one, but that did at least mean you could pick out people in the crowd who you could just go up and speak to - maybe there is a badge or some such??

Hello to all.

For the moment, there is any programe for next june. With National Ceremony in Sword Beach, ( Ouistreham ). Village are waiting the National programe for their own ceremonies.
I know just for the moment, the official ceremonie will be at Ouistreham the 6th of june at 15.00 h.

A plaque for the French Commandos should be involved the 7th of june in Colleville-Montgomery ( avenue de Bruxelles ) but not time for the moment.

So, when we know more. I will let you know. Will phone to Amfreville town hall, or going there in the next weeks.

Best wishes

stéphane

http://basse-normandie.france3.fr/2014/04/30/comment-circuler-en-basse-normandie-le-6-juin-2014-468839.html

It will be a big trouble to drive around Ouistreham etc.... the 6th of june.

The Official 70th anniversary of D.Day ceremony will take place in OUISTREHAM. with 17 presidents and politicians.
Roads will be closed

9000 people invited, but for all who are going there every year and not for only the "big" ceremonies, it will be impossible.

I'm not a politician and know any politician so, couldn't attend the ceremonies.

Just to add onto Stéph's posting concerning the 6 June. Due to all the Heads of State being gathered in one spot, as you can imagine the security will be very high. If you haven't obtained an official pass then you and your car will not be allowed within the security perimeter. They have suggested that as the officials move so the security cordon will also move. All HGV's are diverted, the afternoon car ferry is cancelled. Every French citizen from any village within the cordon will have to obtain a pass from their local town hall. It looks as though it is going to be chaos, so maybe it would be good advice to suggest that people stay put and watch the Official Ceremony on the TV.

The Heads of State will have a light lunch at the Bénouville "castle" which is on the Orne river so that could block off Pegasus bridge. They will then move to Ouistreham to where the "stadium" is already being erected on the beach between the casino and the ferry port. There will be an Official diner in Paris that evening.

Ranville has produced it's own brochure with known timings :

Thursday 5 June :
14h30 Ranville town hall gardens - inauguration of a bust of J. Watson
15h30 200-400 military parachute drop somewhere in Ranville village

Friday 6 June
9h30 Ranville crossroads "carrefour du 6 juin" - ceremony with veterans
10h00 Ranville - Religous ceremony
10h45 Ranville - ceremony at the French and Belgian monuments
11h00 Ranville War Cemetary - remembrance service with Ranville school children. Ceremony to German unknown soldier.
12h30 Ranville village hall "Henri Robin" - welcome drinks
18h00 Ranville - musical concert with German band and Yorkshire Police band.

Saturday 7 June
10h30 Route du Parc, Hamlet of Longueval - ceremony to fallen British soldier

I don't have any information as yet for Amfreville

http://www.ranville.fr/v2/pdf/depliant6juin2014versov4.3.pdf