RHH's photos with the keyword: sword beach

On June 6, 1944, this was Sword Beach, one of the British landing sites. Visiting the beach today it is difficult to imagine that it was the site of a pitched battle, the beach filled with soldiers and all the equipment of war and the sea filled with ships of every kind.

These are the flags of the nations that participated in the D-Day landings June 6, 1944. They are displayed at the Merville Battery and museum in Normandy. The Merville Battery was part of Hitler's Atlantic Wall and a major fortification taken by the British on D-Day.

While in the area of the Merville Battery and museum we stopped at the Boulangerie Clatot in Merville-Franceville-Plage for coffee and pastries, a regular habit while in Normandy. We soon learned that the food and drink in Normandy was outstanding. We never had a disappointing meal and the pastries, breads, cheeses, ciders were like nothing we can get here in the States.

Also know as the Mad Piper of Sword Beach, Billy Millin was personal piper to Lord Lovat, commander of the British 1st Special Service Brigade. Of Scottish descent but born in Canada, he had joined the British Army and took part in the D-Day landings, piping his Brigade ashore at Sword Beach and then again piping them across Pegasus Bridge where they joined up with the airborne troops. The statue commemorating his bravery is near Sword Beach between Ouistreham and Lion-sur-Mer.

The Merville Battery was an important German fortification and part of Hitler's Atlantic Wall. It is now part of a large World War II museum.