During the second world war (WWII), much of Europe suffered significant damage, with Normandy experiencing particularly severe destruction. The landing of the Allies in Normandy marked a pivotal confrontation between the two warring factions, resulting in many casualties and widespread ruin.
As you journey through Normandy, the shadows of war are still present, whether through physical remnants like bunkers or through memorials honoring those who lost their lives.
Below is a brief overview of some WWII leftovers and monuments that can be seen in Normandy. They are listed in no particular order.
This is Part 2 of the 5 part series, and a link to Part 3 will be provided once it's published.
Click here to read Part 1.
Bayeux
War Cemetery
The Bayeux War Cemetery is also referred to as the British War Cemetery of Bayeux. And that is because the majority of soldiers buried here are British and British Commonwealth soldiers who died while trying to liberate France during WWII. Some 4,640 soldiers are buried here, most of them died during the World War II Normandy invasion. But not all of them are British, some are even German (466 of them).
By nationality, there were 3935 British, 466 Germans, 181 Canadian, 25 Polish, 17 Australians, 8 New Zealanders, 7 Russians, 3 French, 2 Czechs, 2 Italians and 1 South African. But there are 1,808 other names of British soldiers not on the graves.
Click here to see where the Bayeux War Cemetery is located on Google Maps
Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum
In Bayeux, the Battle of Normandy Memorial Museum (Musée Mémorial Bataille de Normandie) stands as a significant historical site, detailing the unfolding of the D-Day landings and the consequential Battle of Normandy during World War II. The museum offers guests a thorough understanding of the incidents that transpired in the region, as well as an insight into Normandy's vital role in the broader scope of the war.
Click here to see where the museum is located on Google Maps
Reporters Memorial
In Bayeux, a singularly unique memorial stands out among the numerous memorials and cemeteries scattered across Normandy. These sites are dedicated to various nationalities that perished during World War II, but the memorial in Bayeux serves a different purpose. It's a tribute to fallen reporters—journalists who lost their lives in the pursuit of reporting the truth. Unlike other memorials, this one is not confined to the World War II era but honors those who have died in the line of duty in every year since the war's end.
Click here to see where the Reporters Memorial is located on Google Maps
Caen – The World War II Memorial
The Caen Memorial Museum, also referred to as the Mémorial de Caen or simply "Le Mémorial," stands as an extensive museum and war memorial in Caen, Normandy, France. Recognized as the leading museum focusing on World War II, it commits itself to chronicling the history of the 20th century, with a special emphasis on the events and aftermath of the Second World War.
Click here to read our review of the Caen WWII Memorial museum
Click here to see where the Memorial of Caen is located on Google Maps
Etretat
The wood and brick structure in Etretat originally functioned as a farm before being repurposed as a hospital for Allied troops during World War I. During World War II, it was used as a place for U.S. Soldiers on R&R, known as the Pall Mall Camp.
Click here to see where the Etretat Pall Mall camp is located on Google Maps
The main church of Etretat (Notre-Dame, built in the 12th century) has a graveyard for Commonwealth soldiers who died during WWII.
Le Treport - Kahl-Burg
Built into the cliffs of the town of Le Treport, are a series of caves. Inside these caves, the Germans had built a network of bunkers.
These bunkers, called Kahl-Burg, can be visited on specific dates.
Click here to see where the bunkers are located on Google Maps
Click here to access the Kahl-Burg website (in French)
Dieppe
Operation Jubilee
Dieppe, a city known for its early exposure to the WWII invasion, was the site of an attempted invasion by the Canadians called the "Dieppe Raid" or "Operation Jubilee." This attempt served as a kind of experimental probe to assess the feasibility of an invasion, but it tragically resulted in significant loss of life, with 1400 dead and 1946 captured.
In Dieppe and the neighboring villages, several memorials stand as tributes to the Canadians who lost their lives in the raid.
These two memorials above can be found on the beach sidewalk (the raid landed here on this part of the beach). The one on the left says “To the memory of those that left Canada, shed their blood on French ground while fighting under the banner of a Canadian French regiment“.
Click here to see where the memorials are located on Google Maps
Operation Jubilee museum
The Operation Jubilee Museum, dedicated to the raid, is situated near the beach and the castle. You can visit the museum's website by clicking here (in French only).
Click here to see where the museum is located on Google Maps
Pourville-sur-Mer
Pourville-sur-Mer, a quaint village near Dieppe, inadvertently became a landing point for some Canadian forces during the Dieppe Raid, where they found themselves without backup or support. In the vicinity of the 16th-century church, there are numerous monuments that pay tribute to the soldiers who lost their lives in the town. An inscription for the battle is positioned between two Canadian flags, and flanking this inscription are commemorative plaques honoring those who fell.
The in French written plaque on the left says “Here, on the 19th of August 1942, the 2nd Canadian division with elements of the South Saskatchewan regiment and of the Queen’s own Cameron Highlands of Manitoba, landed on this beach“. On the right is an in-English written stone, presented by the survivors.
Click here to see where this church and memorial is located on Google Maps
Sainte-Marguerite-sur-Mer
Sainte-Marguerite-sur-Mer is also located near Dieppe and was a major site of combat during the Dieppe Raid. At the beach area, you will come across a memorial bearing the following inscription (in French).
The translation reads “In memory of the #4 Commando soldiers who landed on the beach of Sainte-Marguerite-Sur-Mer on the 19th of August 1942“.
Click here to see where this beach memorial is located on Google Maps
Click here to read Part 3