This is one of the 155 mm German guns placed to oppose the Allied landing at Longue Sur Mer on the Normandy coast. They covered both Omaha and Gold beaches and could fire up to 12 miles out to sea. They were so well fortified that the only way to put them out of action was with a direct frontal hit in the aperture. Fortunately, the guns were placed in a French farmer's field where his blind son was allowed to wander where he might, being as the German's supposed no threat. However, through his efforts, exact positions were measured and passed on to the Allies through the French Resistance. As a result, on D-Day the Allied destroyer USS Ajax put 3 out of 4 guns out of action on the day. Amazing to see that the guns were still in place!Our friends who were with us on the visit had a father who went through Utah beach on D-Day +4. Things were still hot after only 4 days, but knowing that made our visit more personal and helped us to appreciate all the more, that which was done in the name of freedom.
This picture is from the American Cemetary at Coleville Sur Mer. They have a very nice new visitor's center which also allows you to look up soldier's names and see where they are buried. We don't know for sure about any personal connections, but we found a William Potter from Virginia there (pictured) which is where Mabel's Potters came from of course.
The last picture is one of us overlooking the Omaha beach from the cemetary.
