All is quiet on this early morning of Bastille Day in Arromanches. This tiny seaside resort got its place in the history books secured when it became part of the landing area on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Moreover, Arromanches became one of the principal offloading areas for Allied troops and supplies until permanent harbours could be used. Parts of the so-called Mulberry artificial harbour can still be seen on the beach and in the sea. The barbed wire is not to resist invaders, but to keep people from falling off the treacherous cliffs.
The church of Sainte-Mère-Église in the Cotentin peninsula, dates from the 12th-14th century. On D-Day the town was to be captured by US paratroopers to defend the west flank of the landing beaches. In the night of June 5-6 one section was mistakenly dropped over the town while a fire was raging, becoming easy targets for the German defenders. The parachute of John Steele clung to the church tower. Injured, he was unable to free himself until he was taken prisoner. Sainte-Mère-Église was later on the day taken by American troops.
The largest German military cemetery in Normandy, at La Cambe, the final resting place for 21,200 servicemen.
