Saint Samson, Troarn

We start the Tour by the visit of the Saint-Samson Bridge near Troarn destroyed by Lt Roseveare on D-Day morning. Certain groups were designated to be Engineer elements who were assigned to blow up the main bridges.

Bures, Perier, Robehomme

We drive to the other bridges located to Bures, Periers and Robehomme.
A small group of Canadian paratroopers under the command of Lt Toseland moved toward the bridge of Robehomme. The Paras reached their objective at 3 am but the Engineers did not rally…

Merville Battery

Lieutenant-Colonel Otway trained his troops for months to take the Merville battery. The paratroopers knew every detail of the German defences but the operation began in a tragic way…

Drop Zone “N”

Along the Orne river, the drop Zone « N ».

Ranville, Amfreville,, Colleville sur Mer, Houlgate, Colombelles, Villers sur Mer

This is an emotional stop giving you the occasion to pay tribute to every British and Canadian resting in Ranville. The village of Ranville was an objective of 6th (Airborne) Division on 6th June 1944, and was captured by units of this formation on the morning of D Day. The churchyard was used for immediate burials, and some soldiers from 6th (Airborne) were laid to rest at this location as the fighting for the Eastern Flank continued. After the Second World War the site was chosen to regroup burials from this part of the battlefield, and graves were brought in from a number of areas, including: Amfreville, Colleville-sur-Orne, Houlgate, Colombelles and Villers-sur-Mer. The cemetery was finally closed in 1946. A very high proportion of the dead here are men from 6th (Airborne) Division.

Pegasus Bridge

One of the Highlights of the day: the famous Pegasus Bridge taken by Major John Howard and men from the 2nd Battalion Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. The taking of Pegasus Bridge in the early hours of D-Day was a major triumph for the Allies. The control of Pegasus Bridge gave the Allies the opportunity to disrupt the Germans ability to bring in re-enforcements to the Normandy beaches, especially those that the British and Canadians were landing at – Gold, Juno and Sword.

Althought the museum is not included in the Tour, you will have time, at your charge, to visit the famous museum inaugurated by Prince Charles in 2000.