D-Day 2014 - 70th anniversary - 06.06.2014

[12th Air Force]

Hello Folks,

2014 is closing in and the year of the 70iest anniversary of the D-Day.

As this year - some of us have plans to see the landing beaches and events around the D-Day celebrations in 2014 and I would like to use this thread for more detailed informations.

Actually only a few "cornerstones" of the celebrations 2014 are "fixed", even more will follow in spring 2014.

The best overview actually at hand (Sept. 2013) is published by the tourist authority of the city Sainte-Mere-Eglise (see below or use the link: http://www.sainte-mere-eglise.info/en/7 ... 0dday.html).

If interested in taking part in one of those events I recommend to have a look from "time to time" at the event links - just because of possible changes.

In addition is at the end of the homepage a list of groups and museums involved in the organization of the 70iest anniversary celebrations that might be helpfull for planning your visit in Normandy.

Please notice: a lot of "officials" from the allied side, veterans and organizations as well as international press will be in place and turn the celebration in the largest anniversary since years.
So accomodation can be a serious problem in 2014 - try to plan your trip in time!

CU at the beaches, Joakim

[12th Air Force]

Sources for further Normandy informations:

Tourist authority of the city of Sainte-Mere-Eglise:
http://www.sainte-mere-eglise.info/en/7 ... 0dday.html

Normandy Tourist Board:
http://www.normandie-tourisme.fr/norman ... andeauvert

D-Day Museums site (similar as annualy printed brochure on events and museums):
http://www.normandie-tourisme.fr/norman ... andeauvert

Omaha Beach and D-Day related informations:
http://www.normandie44lamemoire.com/ver ... leus2.html

Others:
http://www.dday-overlord.com/eng/commem ... e_2014.htm


Official Events Flyer for the D-Day anniversary

The official flyer with the event calendar can be downloaded here:

http://www.normandie-tourisme.fr/docs/6 ... events.pdf

.

[12th Air Force]

More information sources:
For all of you interested in the D-Day celebrations 2014 the link to Ingo's new D-Day 2014 agenda homepage. He is a Willys owner and real J**p enthusiast, actually collecting informations on the 2014 events in Normandy as well as on the Museums and points of interest for all that are planning a trip to the beaches next year.
More informations will be added step by step - so it's worth to have a look at the hp from "time to time". In addition you can find some nice pictures from Ingo's J**p in Normandy.

See: http://normandy2014.jimdo.com/

[12th Air Force]

Hello Folks,

for your information all Museums in Normandy at a glance (the ones I have seen and liked are incl. link).

D-Day Museums Guide - by Joakim

Memorial Pegasus, F-14860 Ranville,
http://www.memorial-pegasus.org/mmp/mus ... t/?lang=uk

Musee de la Batterie de Merville, F-14810 Merville-Franceville
http://www.batterie-merville.com/

Musee des Troupes Aeroportees, F-50480 Sainte-Mere-Eglise,
http://www.airborne-museum.org/

Musee du Debarquement (Utah Beach), F-50480 Sainte Marie du Mont,
http://www.utah-beach.com/fr/musee-du-d ... efault.asp

Musee des Rangers, F-14450 Grandcamp–Maisy
Notice: very small Museum

Musee America Gold Beach, F-14710 Ver-sur-Mer
http://www.goldbeachmusee.fr/

Juno Beach Centre, F-14470 Courseulles–sur–Mer

Musee No. 4 Commando, F-14150 Ouistreham

Musee du Mur de l’Atlantique, F-14150 Ouistreham

Musee du Radar, F-14440 Douvres–la–Delivrande

Musee Memorial de la Bataille de Normandie 1944, F-14400 Bayeux
http://www.bayeuxmuseum.com/musee_memor ... andie.html

Musee de la Bataille de Tilly, F-14250 Tilly–sur –Seulles

Le Memorial – un Musee pour la Paix, F-14066 Caen

Musee du Debarquement (Arromaches), F-14117 Arromaches
http://www.musee-arromanches.fr/accueil/?lang=de

Musee de la Liberation, F-50100 Cherbourg

Musee de la Seconde Guerre Mondial, F-50300 Avranches

Musee Aout 1944 – La Bataille de la Poche de Falaise, F-14700 Falaise

Memorial de Montormel, F-61160 Montormel

Musee des Epaves Sous-Marines du Debaquement, F-14520 Port-en-Bessin

Musee de la Liberte, F-50310 Quineville

Musee D-Day Omaha, F-14710 Vierville-sur-Mer (Route de Grancamp, close to Omaha Beach)
Please notice: The Omaha D-Day Museum is the second (private) Museum close to Omaha Beach and located into the direction of Omaha Beach Camping. The Museum was closed at D-Day 2013 because the owner died a while ago. The Future of the Museum is because of this actually uncertain.

Big Red One Assault Museum, F-14710 Colleville-sur-Mer
Notice: very small Museum
http://www.oti-omaha.fr

Dead Man’s Corner Museum, F- 50500 Saint-Côme-du-Mont
http://www.paratrooper-museum.org/us/DMC.html

Musée Memorial Omaha Beach, F-14710 Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer
The Museum is located close to the eastern end of Omaha Beach and the larger one of the two Museums in the area.
http://www.musee-memorial-omaha.com

Musée D-Day Omaha, F-14710 Vierville-sur-Mer (Route de Grancamp)
Please notice: The Omaha D-Day Museum is the second (private) Museum close to Omaha Beach and located into the direction of Omaha Beach Camping.
The Museum was closed at D-Day 2013 because the owner died a while ago. The Future of the Museum is because of this actually uncertain.

Musée Juin ‘44, F-61303 L’Aigle

Musée de la Batterie de Crisbecq, F-50310 Saint-Marcouf-de-L’Île
http://www.batterie-marcouf.com/

Musée de la percée du bocage, F-14350 Saint-Martin-des-Besaces
http://www.laperceedubocage.com/

Musée Patton, F-50390 Nehou

Musée août 1944 (Château du Taillis), F-76480 Duclair
http://www.chateau-du-taillis.com/

Musée de l'Occupation, F-50480 Sainte-Marie-du-Mont

Musée de Libération, F-50480 Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
http://utah-musee-liberation.com/


New Museums (open since D-Day 2013):

Normandy Tank Museum / A-10 Airfield, F-50500 Catz
http://www.normandy-tank-museum.fr/menu1.php?lang=EN

Overlord Museum Normandy 1944 (Omaha Beach), F-14710 Colville-sur-Mer
http://www.overlordmuseum.com/

[12th Air Force]

Re-Enactors Camps in Normandy:

UPDATED 09.02.2014

"As usual" several camps of MV-Clubs and Re-Enactment Groups will be "spread allover Normandy", but it is difficult to get detailed informations.

Generally speaking can such Camps be found here (based on locations known from last visits - "beefed up" with informations from other sources):

- Omaha Beach / Vierville-sur-Mer - "Dog Green" Camp - beside the closed private D-Day Museum on the Route de Grandcamp (Road D514), junction to Rue La Herode.
Located directly beside the Omaha D-Day Museum (direction of Omaha Beach Camping) will be the "Dog Green" Camp. The Camp is organized by the French MV owners Club L'UNIVEM (Paris & Ile de France area). It's a very interesting Club with lot's of fantastic MV (see: http://www.univem-paris.com/). The Club will be supported by other Re-Enactors groups as "Duty First" from Belgium and others.
The Dog Green Camp is organized in two Camp areas: Camp one strictly for Re-Enactors only and a Camp two for MV owners / collectors - so everyone will find "his place". Toilets and Showers in place, as well as a nice program with convoy driving in the area etc. The Camp is open from Mo. 2nd. to Mo. 9th of June.
All details / reservation form sheet / program etc. can be found here: http://www.dday2014.fr/plan-du-camp/
Please notice: the D-Day Museum next to the Camp was closed at D-Day 2013 because the owner died a while ago. The Future of the Museum is because of this uncertain.

- Sainte-Marie-du Mont (F-50480), Town-Center
One of the most outstanding Camps is traditionally around the Church Sainte-Marie-du-Mont in the town center. One of the spots you "should not miss" and not far away from Sainte-Mere-Eglise.
Contact: Club du Souvenir Militaire - 0033 233 71 56 54 or leholdy@orange.fr

- Sainte-Mere-Eglise - Camp Geronimo (F-50480), beside the Airborne Museum
Camp Geronnimo - just beside of the Museum is on the right a open place that is used by re-enactors and MV owners. About 150 participants and 70 vehicles. Several animations.
Organization/Contact: Airborne Museum - 00 33 233 41 41 35 or infos@airborne-museum.org

- Carentan - Camp Arizona
Camp Arizona - located at route Americaine.
Reconstruction of a US camp with animations: US mail, field hospital, etc.
Parade of 70 Harley Davidson of the 1940’s. Concert.
Organization/Contact: CAPA association - ass.capa@yahoo.fr

- Brucheville
US Camp at Mr and Mrs Champagne, la Rive.
Contact - 0033 233 20 02 67 or champagne.michel50@orange.fr

NEW: Ecausseville
US Camp at the Airship Hangar with the ANCM44. Exhibitions, demonstrations, military vehicle tours on site…
Contact: ANCM44 : 0033 687 80 58 92 or ancm44@orange.fr
Airship Hangar : 0033 233 08 56 02 or belin@aerobase.fr

NEW: Méautis - Bloody Gulch Camp
Bloody Gulch Camp at Manoir de Donville.
Details (French only): http://www.manoirdedonville.com/actualite__120.htm

NEW: Saint Côme du Mont
Reconstruction of a US Military Camp of the 82nd AB (Les Diables Rouges 508, Freedom’s Angels and an English group) around a US WACO glider scale model (at scale 1).
At the D-Day Paratrooper Historical Center, Dead Man’s Corner Museum.
Contact: 0033 233 42 00 42 or http://www.paratrooper-museum.org

NEW: Batterie de Longues - Longues-sur-Mer
Camp for vehicles and Re-Enactors at the only coastal Battery with it's original guns in place (no further details on the camp at hand).

NEW: Cherbourg-Maupertus Airfield - C-47 Dakota Base
The Airfield is located 11 km east of Cherbourg between the villages Gonneville and Maupertus.
During the D-Day week the largest group of C-47 planes since the Berlin Airlift will be in place. Actually are 10 confirmed, that will drop parachuters as a group on several occasions during the week. Rumors are saying it might be 20 overall in the end. If Whiskey 7 has enough fuel donations you will find her there too (see: viewtopic.php?f=10&t=11665) Don't miss the chance to see them all!

NEW: Courseulles-sur-Mer - KTR Club (NL) Camp
The Club will be at the Camping (Camping Le Champ de Course - Avenue de La Libération 14470 Courseulles-sur-mer). Contact via KTR: http://www.ktr.nl/clubagenda.html

.

[12th Air Force]

Memorials


Mémorial Cobra, F-50570 Marigny
http://www.si-marigny.fr/musee.php

Bloody Gulch Hill, F-50500 Méautis
http://www.manoirdedonville.com/
http://www.ot-carentan.fr/pageLibre000106cf.html

Mémorial de La Madeleine, F-50000 Saint-Lô
http://www.saint-lo.fr/Decouvrir-Saint- ... -Madeleine

Mémorial de Montormel, F-61160 Montormel
http://www.memorial-montormel.org/

Mémorial de la Liberté retrouvée, F-50310 Quinéville
http://www.memorial-quineville.com/


Cemetery overview

Links to 28 wartime Cemetery’s in Normandy with detailed informations can be found here (click on the pictures for further details):
http://www.normandie44lamemoire.com/cim ... ieres.html



Exhibitions and Militaria Fairs

- Starting on June 1st, 2014 :
Saint-Côme-du-Mont (Manche - 50) : « The Greatest Generation Memorial Exhibit 2 » and the Stars & Stripes newspaper exhibitions, with Captain McNamara (head of the Stars & Stripes Detachment 1 in Normandy on June 1944), at the D-Day Paratroopers Historical Center.

NEW: - June 1st, 2014 :
PICAUVILLE
During the day: Military fair, at salle polyvalente. Organization: Picauville se souvient - Tel: 00 33 233 41 02 48 or charles.dennebouy@orange.fr

CARENTAN
2.30-6.30 p.m.: Conference with Denis Van Den Brick who will recall the chronology of the days before D-Day: Training of paratroopers in England, the civilian life in France (by Patrick Fissot) and the everyday’s life of German soldiers. Exhibition of photos and equipment, at salle des fête, theatre room (place to be confirmed). Everyone is welcome.
Organization: Amis de la 101e Airborne - Sébastien Lesné - carentanlibertygroup@hotmail.fr


- Wednesday, June 4th - Sunday, June 8th, 2014 :
Saint-Côme-du-Mont (Manche - 50) : Authors' dedications at the D-Day Paratroopers Historical Center, with Ian Gardner, Michel De Trez, Phil Nordyke, Antonin Deshays, Philippe Esvelin, Gilles Vallée.

- Wednesday, June 4th - Sunday, June 8th, 2014 :
Tilly-sur-Seulles (Calvados - 14) : 6th Battle of Normandy book fair, around the Tilly battle museum.

NEW!
- Wednesday, June 4th - SAINTE-MERE-EGLISE
During the day: Military Fair in Sainte Mère Eglise at the hall market. It's traditionally the the largest militaria fair during the D-Day week in Normandy - so you should not miss it!
And it's inhouse - so don't mind the weather. Organization: Association Timberwolves Tel: 00 33 608 45 24 65 or ballesterbarth@aol.com

NEW!
- Thursday, June 5th
SAINTE MARIE DU MONT - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Military Fair in Sainte Marie du Mont in open air next to the sport field. Free entrance. Information and booking: Club du Souvenir Militaire - 00 33 233 71 56 54 or leholdy@orange.fr

- CARENTAN
7 a.m. - 6 p.m.: Military Fair at the hall market, road of Périers
Free entrance. Exhibitor: 15€/m. Information and booking: 0033 671 96 46 70 or bbbww2@live.fr

NEW!
- Friday, June 6th
Catz, Normandy Tank Museum - A10 Airfield: Militaria fair from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm .

NEW!
- Saturday, June 7th
Vierville-sur-Mer (OMAHA BEACH). The UNIVEM Club from Paris confirmed that the militaria fair in Vierville will be held this year on the Saturday 7th. It's a nice and relaxed event in the open on a closed street that you should not miss.

- Saturday, June 14th - Sunday, June 15th, 2014 :
Sainte-Mère-Eglise (Manche - 50) : 6th edition of the « History and Memories » book and comic fairs, with more than 50 national and regional authors.




C-47 DROP ZONES

Actually I have first this brief info. I will add more details a.s.a.p.

Wednesday, June 4 - 13.30 PM – Flatbush Cross Channel Flight - DZ Carentan Dropzone Hill 30( 2-3 KM southwest of Carentan)
Thursday, June 5 - 18.30 PM – Utah Beach (Museum)
Thursday, June 5 - 22.00 PM – Foucarville DZ “A” Jump
Friday, June 6 – 19.30 PM – Sainte Marie du Mont DZ “C” Jump
Saturday, June 7 - 14.00 PM – Ecausseville Jump
Sunday, June 8 - 14.00 PM – La Fiere Official Jump “IRON MIKE”


Scheduleed Liberty Jump Team Drops from Whiskey 7 in Normandy:
June 4 Angoville Au Plain - 6PM
June 5 Amfreville - 6PM
June 7 Graignes - 4:30PM
June 8 La Fiere - 3PM (see details below)

NEW!
8th of June -"IRON MIKE" 2014 at la Fière (3 km west of Ste Mère Eglise)

11h00-14h00 : Parachutage international avec 600 militaires sur le site de La Fière
Présence de la patrouille de France (à confirmer)
14h00 : Cérémonie officielle au monument Iron Mike.
Remise de la légion d'honneur au Vétéran américain Fred Morgan (Medic parachutiste de la 82e Airborne). Accueil du Vétéran Leslie Cruise.
Survol de l’avion C-47 Whiskey 7 (W7) avec parachutage.
15h30 : Parachutage civil - reconstitution d’un parachutage avec 250 hommes en tenue d’époque, avec 10 avions C-47. Organisation : RCPT, Liberty Jump Team et Mairie

[12th Air Force]

D-DAY AGENDA 2014
Status: 25.04.2014

Friday, 30th and Saturday, 31st May:
10.30 p.m.: Sound and Light show about the Liberation in Orglandes, at Manoir de la Hougue, followed by a great firework. Organisation: Comité des fêtes - doublet.remi@wanadoo.fr


Saturday, 31st of May:
CARENTAN
Morning: Start of the 14th meeting of convertible cars (time and place to be defined)
Organization: Townhall and Mr Neveu

Time to be defined: Conference with the writer Marc Blondeau and Veterans with exhibition of photos and equipment, at salle des fêtes followed by a meal. Open to everyone. Organization: Carentan Liberty Group - carentanlibertygroup@hotmail.fr

Opening of the Arizona Camp (organization: CAPA) with 420 participants, 150 vehicles including 5 Armored ones. Several animations (see details in “Re-Enactors Camps”).

UTAH BEACH
10a.m. - 5 p.m.: International March for Peace (around 20 km). Start from Utah Beach and arrival in Sainte Mère Eglise. Organization: Centre paroissial - Tel: 00 33 233 41 41 48 or info@saintemereeglise50.cef.fr


Sunday, 1st of June:
NEW: CARENTAN
2.30-6.30 p.m.: Conference with Denis Van Den Brick who will recall the chronology of the days before D-Day: Training of paratroopers in England, the civilian life in France (by Patrick Fissot) and the everyday’s life of German soldiers. Exhibition of photos and equipment, at salle des fête, theatre room (place to be confirmed). Everyone is welcome.
Organization: Amis de la 101e Airborne - Sébastien Lesné - carentanlibertygroup@hotmail.fr

PICAUVILLE
During the day: Military fair, at salle polyvalente. Organization: Picauville se souvient - Tel: 00 33 233 41 02 48 or charles.dennebouy@orange.fr

UTAH BEACH
70m Fresco specially created for the 70th anniversary of the Landing by pupils of differents nationalities, exhibited on the beach. Project of the Conseil Général.


Monday, 2nd of June:
UTAH BEACH
- Inauguration of the Tree of Freedom on Utah Beach
70 groups of young Normans gather currently 70 testimonies of people which have lived the Landing and the Battle of Normandy. They can be Veterans, resistance fighters, inhabitants, children of deportee, Germans… Following this gathering, 70 extracts of these testimonies will be hung on 3 Trees of Freedom, planted in Ouistreham, Montormel and Utah Beach

Monday, 2nd, , Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday, 4th of June
French TV program “Midi en France” will be shot in Sainte Mère Eglise, on the church’ square.


Tuesday, 3rd of June:
NEW: SAINTE MERE EGLISE
2.30 p.m.: Dedication time by Antonin Deshays for his book “Sainte Mère Eglise - un sanctuaire américain en Normandie”, in the Airborne Museum - 0033 233 41 41 35 or infos@airborne-museum.org
6 p.m.: Soldiers have dinner in the local families. Meeting at the salle des fêtes, next to the townhall.
Registration: ava50480@gmail.com or ot@ccsme.fr or 0033 233 21 00 33.
Organization: AVA (Amis des Vétérans Américains)

NEW: American troops will be there from the 3rd until the 9th of June (350 soldiers in Carentan, sport hall of Haut Dick, 300 soldiers in Sainte Mère Eglise)
150 French soldiers from the 6e RG (Engineer Regiment) of the 9e BIMa (Marine Infantry Brigade) from Angers will be stationed at the sport hall Jean Truffaut.


Wednesday, 4th of June:
NEW: Pointe du Hoc
WW2 DODGE.COM FORUM COMETOGETHER at the parking area of the Pointe Du Hoc Museum To be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Organized by 12th Air Force & Koen43. Bring your Dodge vehicles and use the chance for some good gasoline talks as well as for a visit of the newly re-opened Museum or the famous Battery on the cliffs.
Optional: Convoy driving to a nearby Restaurant for dinner after the cometogether.
Flyer: http://www.steel-toys.com/Div/Dodge%20G ... %20Hoc.pdf

NEW: AMFREVILLE
11.30 a.m.: Ceremony at the 507th PIR Monument.
Organization: Townhall with US Normandie Mémoire et Gratitude
2.30 p.m.: Ceremony at the “Timmes Orchard” Monument.
Organization: Townhall with US Normandie Mémoire et Gratitude
6 p.m.: Historic Walk with commentaries (tour n°3). Meeting at the 507th PIR Monument.
Limited number of participants - With prior booking at the Tourist Office - Tel: 00 33 233 21 00 33 or ot@ccsme.fr. Souvenir leaflet: 5 €.
Organization: Communauté de Communes in partnership with the association US Normandie Mémoire et Gratitude

NEW: CARENTAN
1.00-1.30 p.m.: Parachute drop from C-47 planes with around 250 men in re-enactment clothes. The planes will leave Portsmouth, GB and make a fly over Utah Beach before the parachute drop above Carentan, after the Palm roundabout, direction St Côme du Mont, on the left.
Organization: Townhall and RCPT (Round Canopy Parachuting Team) - staff@rcpt.eu

With the American, Dutch, German and French soldiers:
5.00 p.m.: Inauguration of the Cole Monument, at the Palm roundabout (north side of Carentan)
5.30 p.m.: Official ceremony,at the Carré de Choux (Route of St Come, in front of But department’ store)
6 p.m.: Ceremony at the Signal Monument (next to the townhall, in front of the train station)
7 p.m.: Parade of the soldiers in town

NEW: GOURBESVILLE
10 a.m.: Ceremony at the 90th ID and 82nd AB. Organization: Townhall

NEW: MONTEBOURG
2.30 or 5 p.m. (to be confirmed): Ceremony. Organization: Townhall

SAINTE MERE EGLISE
During the day: Military Fair in Sainte Mère Eglise at the hall market
Organization: Association Timberwolves Tel: 00 33 608 45 24 65 or ballesterbarth@aol.com


Thursday, 5th of June:
NEW: OMAHA BEACH "Liberty Parade" (convoy tour) "On the path of Big Red One", starting at Dog Green Camp (details via L'UNIVEM Club). The guided tour thru Normandy is done with the support of the "tourist office of Calvados" and offers the participants the chance to see the "hidden trasures" of Normandy as well as some stopovers with tastings of local specialities.
Contact / details via UNIVEM MV Club (Paris): http://www.dday2014.fr/

NEW: WW2 Military Vehicles meet Dakota's event 2014
The event is a organized tour for WW2 Military Vehicles + the option to make a unique 1 h. flight in a DC-3 along the landing beaches!

Starting point is he Dog Green Camp that is located at Vierville-sur-Mer (Omaha Beach) and organized by the UNIVEM MV Club, Paris.
You will have then two opportunities:
- join our convoy and drive with us to the Cherbourg Maupertus Airport to see the Dakotas in place
- in addition to book in for a flight with a DC-3 over Normandy!

Don't miss this unique chance!

All details can be found in this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=11833


NEW: CARENTAN
7 a.m. - 6 p.m.: Military Fair at the hall market, road of Périers
Free entrance. Exhibitor: 15€/m. Information and booking: 0033 671 96 46 70 or bbbww2@live.fr

Morning: presentation of amphibian vehicles, on the marina
2.30 p.m.: Choir with 160 children (Liberation songs). Organization: schools of Carentan
Military music (to be confirmed)
3.00 p.m.: Parade of amphibian vehicles in the canal of Haut Dick with 15 amphibian jeeps, 1 GMC Duck… with music entertainment.
A commentary will give you the vehicles’ story and their particularities.
Organization: Captain Pierrejean and Townhall - 0033 233 42 74 00

NEW: PICAUVILLE
10 a.m.: Ceremony dedicated to the Airborne troops and the flight crew, at the USAAF Monument, Prieuré’ square, with 200 American soldiers and 150 German soldiers with their music, the American Guard of Honor, a bugle player and an American and a German chaplain.
Inauguration of the Monument dedicated to the A8 Airfield American Pilots, killed in duty.
Fly over by an American Airforce Aircraft.
Organization: Townhall in partnership with Picauville se souvient

NEW: HIESVILLE
Historic Walk (9 km). “The night the Eagles screamed”
Meeting at the car park of the village. Limited number of participants - With prior booking at the Tourist Office - Tel: 00 33 233 21 00 33 or ot@ccsme.fr. Souvenir leaflet: 3 €.
Organization: Communauté de Communes de Sainte Mère Eglise.

SAINTE MARIE DU MONT
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Military Fair in Sainte Marie du Mont in open air next to the sport field. Free entrance. Information and booking: Club du Souvenir Militaire - 00 33 233 71 56 54 or leholdy@orange.fr
4 p.m.: Spectacle "Let’s build Peace together" in Ste Mère Eglise on the church square by 39 French, American and German high school students. Organization: Collège (high school) of Sainte Mère Eglise

NEW: UTAH BEACH
6.00-7.00 p.m.: Tribute to civilian and military women. Bring a flower and come with 1940’s clothes (HBT, WAC, Red cross, Rochambelles…). Proper dress required (hair tied back, no socks in the shoes, no apparent piercing).
More informatio : women1944@live.fr
7.30 p.m.: Parachute drop from C47 planes on Utah Beach. Organization: Utah Beach Museum - 0033 233 71 53 35 or musee@utah-beach.com
8.00 - 9.30 p.m.: Official Ceremony at Utah Beach with the French army. Legion of Honor given to John Roman, David and Gene Dewhurst. Organization: Townhall
9.30-11 p.m.: Concert of US actor Gary Sinise (Forrest Gump, CSI: NY) with The Lt Dan Band, at the Utah Beach Museum (to be confirmed)
10.45/11 p.m.: Lightning of the Norman coast with 23 simultaneous fireworks along the coastline. In Utah Beach, firework and Military music


SAINTE MERE EGLISE
4 p.m.: Official ceremony at the Signal Monument, on the church’ square. Organization: Townhall
5 p.m.: Inauguration of the Airborne Museum’s extension
7 p.m.: Memorial service in the church. Organization: AVA

NEW: SAINT COME DU MONT
SAINT COME DU MONT
10.30 a.m.: Inauguration of the new plaque in memory of Joe Beyrle (506th, 101st AB) with his family, including his two sons (one is an American Ambassador in Russia), at the church.

Conference on the American glider’s pilots, by Philippe Esvelin
At the D-Day Paratrooper Historical Center, Dead Man’s Corner Museum - 0033 233 42 00 42 or carentan.101@orange.fr
3 p.m.: conference in English
6.30 p.m.: conference in French

NEW: CHEF DU PONT
2 p.m.: Ceremony at the Rex Comb Square. Organization: Townhall.


Friday, 6th of June - D-DAY:
SAINTE MARIE DU MONT
9.00 a.m.: French-Danish Ceremony on Utah Beach, at the Danish Monument (to be confirmed)
10.00 a.m.: IVY March in Sainte Marie du Mont. Follow the itinerary used by the 4th ID on June, 6th 1944. Start in front of the Utah Beach Museum and arrival in Sainte Marie du Mont around 1 p.m.
Information and booking: Club du Souvenir Militaire - 0033 233 71 56 54 or leholdy@orange.fr
11 a.m.: Oecumenical mass on the beach. Organization: Centre Paroissial of Sainte Mère Eglise (to be confirmed)
11 a.m.: Ceremony at the Angelos Chatas USN Monument with the daughter and grand-daughter of A. Chatas (Utah Beach, direction Beauguillot Bird Sanctuary).
Organization: Association des Amis du Jour J d’Utah Beach
1 p.m.: Arrival of the IVY March in Sainte Marie du Mont
4 to 5 p.m.: Fiona Harrison’s concert (1940’ songs), on the church’ square
5.00 p.m.: Welcome to Veterans (to be confirmed). Organization: UNC
8.00 p.m.: Projection of the documentary « Eagles of Mercy », with the Veterans and the actors of TV miniseries “Band of Brothers”: 2 American medics took care of the wounded in the church of Angoville au Plain in the early day of the 6th June 1944. At the Utah Beach Museum. Private projection on booking on wwiifoundation.org
8.30 p.m.: Dance of the Liberation on the church’ square. Organization: Club du Souvenir Militaire - 0033 233 71 56 54 or leholdy@orange.fr

SAINTE MERE EGLISE
All day long: Tandem parachute jumps above Sainte Mère Eglise.
Dive in History during the 70th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy. Meeting at the Cherbourg-Maupertus airport to get into the plane and fly above the Cotentin and Utah Beach Coasts before your get ready to jump above Sainte Mère Eglise!
Prices: 365 €/person, video+photos: 130 €, video: 100 €
Booking: Tourist Office of Sainte Mère Eglise - 0033 233 21 00 33 or ot@ccsme.fr

9.30 a.m.: Dedication time by Ronalds Ooms for his book “The Official Biography of Band of Brothers Veteran Clancy Lyall », at the Airborne Museum - 0033 233 41 41 35 or infos@airborne-museum.org
2 to 5 p.m.: US concerts and Welcome to Veterans, on the church’ square
2-2.30 p.m.: « Eisenhower Elite Energy » of Eisenhower High School (50 singers)
2.30-3 p.m.: Alexandria Hamonizers (95 singers)
3-5 p.m.: Concert followed by a great American parade in town with 350 musicians of the three groups: East Burke High School « Marching Cavaliers », Lakeshore High School “Lancer Marching Band”, University of Texas San Antonio “Roadrunner Marching Band”

9 p.m.: Concert for Peace with the regional orchestra and a choir, on the church’ square (or in the church according to the weather conditions)

3 p.m. (to be confirmed) : Official International Ceremony in Ouistreham with the Heads of state

NEW: Catz, Normandy Tank Museum - A10 Airfield: Militaria fair from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm .

NEW: HEMEVEZ
10 a.m.: Ceremony at the paratrooper monument, with the presence of the American troops. Organization: Townhall.

NEW: OUISTREHAM
Official International Ceremony in Ouistreham with the Heads of state (time to be determined).
Notice: Limited access in the area due to max. safety precautions!

NEW: PICAUVILLE
5 p.m.: Presentation of the French-German Friendship with texts and songs. Dedication to the Citizens of Honor and all US soldiers who have given us back our Freedom. General Leclerc’ square.
Organisation: Association Patrimoine with La Gabare choir - tourisme.patrimoine@orange.fr

7.00 p.m.: Ceremony at the 90th ID Monument, rue Pasteur. Organization: Townhall in partnership with Picauville se souvient
8.00 p.m.: Friendship diner at salle polyvalente.
Information and booking: Association Picauville se souvient: 0033 233 41 02 48 or charles.dennebouy@orange.fr-

NEW: SAINT COME DU MONT
Inauguration of the Airborne Memorial Wall at the Dead Man’s Corner Museum (time to be defined).
Since 2007, St Côme du Mont Museum has a project of Commemorative Wall: graved stones with the donator name and Veteran name (82nd or 101st Airborne Paratrooper or C47 plane pilot) will be set to built this honor wall. Anyone wishing to purchase a stone can contact At the D-Day Paratrooper Historical Center, Dead Man’s Corner Museum: 0033 233 42 00 42 or carentan.101@orange.fr


Saturday, 7th of June:
OMAHA BEACH (NEW!)
Liberty Parade "On the path of the 29th Infantry Division", starting at Dog Green Camp (details via L'UNIVEM Club).
Giant public picnic on Omaha Beach with the local population.

NEW: AMFREVILLE
10.30 a.m.: Inauguration of a new monument on the Site “Charles De Glopper" and the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment (GIR) at Hameau Flaux in Amfreville.
11.30 a.m.: Inauguration of a new monument (Glider wing) next to the Cauquigny Chapel
Organization: US Normandie Mémoire et Gratitude - 02.33.52.63.27 ou 06.77.65.04.23 / danielbriard@hotmail.fr

NEW: ANGOVILLE AU PLAIN
10.30 a.m.: Mass in the church
11.30 a.m. Ceremony at the monument dedicated to the medics Robert E. WRIGHT and Kenneth J. MOORE from the 2nd Battalion of the 501st PIR of the 101st Airborne Division. Organization: Townhall

NEW!: CATZ (near Carentan)
Jeep Gathering 2014 at the new Normandy Tank Museum - A10 Airfield. The meeting is organized by members of the g503 Forum (http://www.g503.com) and "the place to be for all J**p enthusiasts". The MV event at the Museum is from 10 a.am to 2 p.m. on the 7th.
Address: Normandy Tank Museum and A10 Airfield, PA La Fourchette, Avenue du Cotentin,F-50500 Catz.
Easy to find - the Museum can be seen directly from the Motorway (large building with Sherman Tank in front).

CARENTAN
8.30 a.m.: Start of the Carentan Liberty March from Carentan, at the marina.
Organization: Carentan Liberty Group: carentanlibertygroup@hotmail.fr
Flyer see: http://www.bmvt.eu/sites/default/files/ ... juin_0.jpg
3.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.: Animations, place de la république
Music and dance with the Three Belles and The Bevin Boys, demonstrations of dance
Exodus re-enactment
Vehicles parade
4.30 p.m.: Arrival of the Carentan Liberty March, re-enactment of the 23rd June 1944 ceremony “Silver Star”, place de la république
5.00 p.m.: Flash mob with 1940’s music , place de la république
8.30 p.m.: Great Dance of the Liberation at the Hippodrome de Carentan.
Animated by the Big Band “Tea for Two” with 21 musicians, the Three Belles and The Bevin Boys. Flash Mob with 1940’s music, at the racecourse.
1940’s atmosphere. Please wear 1940’s clothes. Entrance fee: 6 €
Organization: Carentan Liberty Group - 0033 233 42 19 86
Flyer see: http://www.bmvt.eu/sites/default/files/ ... 202014.jpg

NEW:2 p.m. Harley Davidson meeting at Camp Arizona "70´H-D for 70th D-Day".
Flyer see: http://www.bmvt.eu/sites/default/files/ ... 20juin.jpg

SAINTE MARIE DU MONT
10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Exhibition of Armored vehicles and tow trucks.
Organization: Club du Souvenir Militaire - 0033 233 71 56 54 or leholdy@orange.fr
3 p.m.: Spectacle "Let’s build Peace together" on the church square by 39 French, American and German high school students. Organization: Collège (high school) of Sainte Mère Eglise (à confirmer)
7.30 p.m.: Parade of the Major Girls in Sainte Marie du Mont. Organization: Club du Souvenir Militaire - 0033 233 71 56 54 or leholdy@orange.fr
9.00-11.00 p.m.: Theatre mini-plays by the teenagers of Ste Mère Eglise Secondary school in the Utah Beach Museum.

SAINTE MERE EGLISE
All day long: Tandem parachute jumps above Sainte Mère Eglise.
Dive in History during the 70th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy. Meeting at the Cherbourg-Maupertus airport to get into the plane and fly above the Cotentin and Utah Beach Coasts before your get ready to jump above Sainte Mère Eglise!
Prices: 365 €/person, video+photos: 130 €, video: 100 €
Booking: Tourist Office of Sainte Mère Eglise - 0033 233 21 00 33 or ot@ccsme.fr

10.00 to 11.00 a.m.: Conference on the gliders by Philippe Esvelin in the Airborne Museum. In French language. (At 2 p.m. in English)
11.00 a.m.: Spectacle "Let’s build Peace together" on the church square by 39 French, American and German high school students (to be confirmed)
Organization: high school of Sainte Mère Eglise
12.00 p.m.: Parade of 150 Harley Davidson. Ducs de Normandy Chapter Club
1.00 p.m.: Picnic Normandy-Day with concert “Ducky Jim Trio” (50’s Rockabilly band) on the church square. Share this moment where each one brings its picnic. Tables at your disposal and take away (grilled meat) on the square. Organization: Townhall
2.00 - 8.30 p.m.: In deambulation in town, the band “la Banda Jojo”, 30’s-60’s jazz band.
2.00 to 3.00 p.m.: Conference on the gliders by Philippe Esvelin in the Airborne Museum. In English language. (At 10 a.m. in French)
3.00-4.00 p.m.: Concert of the Holland American Legion Band (Michigan Brass Band), on the church’ square
5.00-6.00 p.m.: Ceremony for Peace with the children, on the church’ square. Organization : Townhall
7.00 p.m.: Banquet of the Liberty in Ste Mère Eglise at the market hall.
Share this dinner and evening with the Veterans and soldiers of many nationalities who will make the Sunday’ spectacle during the parachute drop!
Norman and American animations.
Organization: AVA (Amis des Vétérans Américains).
29 €/Adult, 19€/child from 4 to 10 years old included - free for children under 4 years old (Prices until 1st May 2014, price will rise afterwards).
Limited places. Booking is confirmed after payment has been received.
Booking: Tourist Office : 00 33 233 21 00 33 or ot@ccsme.fr
8.00 p.m.-2.00 a.m. : Concerts, on the church’ square
8.00-9.00 p.m.: Concert « le Jazz le plus long »
9.15-10.15 p.m.: « Dota und die Stadt Piraten » (German band)
10.30-11.30 p.m.: « A Fond’De Cale »
11.30-11.45 p.m.: Concert Finale with the instrumental « Ode to Joy » played by the 3 groupson the stage
11.50 p.m.-00.10 a.m.: Fireworks on the church square. Organization: Townhall
00.15 a.m.: Dance of the Liberation with « Dénécheau Jazz Musette » (1940’s music), on the church’ square. Organization: Townhall.

NEW: ECAUSSEVILLE
2 p.m.: Re-enactment of 1944 parachute drop with 10 C-47 planes
Organization: RCPT
Demonstrations of parachute folding. Grilled meat to take away on site.
At the Airship Hangar: belin@aerobase.fr or 0033 233 08 56 02



Sunday, 8th of June:
NEW: OMAHA BEACH
Military vehicle parade along Omaha Beach. Tours in military vehicles around Omaha Beach for the public all day long (details via L'UNIVEM Club).

9.00 P.M.: Service the Chateau de Vierville-sur-Mer: the public service will be held from 9.00 AM on by Father DOH on the same place as in 1944. The UNIVEM MV Club is inviting everyone to attend this service in the open.
Details see: http://d-day2014.forumactif.org/t45-8-j ... n-the-park

NEW: CARENTAN
11.00 a.m.: Mass at the Notre Dame Church
12.00 p.m.: Parade of military vehicles in town and exhibition on the Square “marché aux pommes”
8.30 p.m.: Concert by the Holland American Legion Band (50 musicians). In first part, the Carentan Harmony Orchestra. At salle des fêtes, theatre room.
Organsization: Townhall

PICAUVILLE
6.30 p.m.: Ceremony at the 90th ID Monument, rue d’Utah Beach (time to be confirmed)
Organization: Townhall in partnership with Picauville se souvient
- 7.30 p.m.: Friendship diner at salle polyvalente.
Information and booking: Association Picauville se souvient : 0033 233 41 02 48 or charles.dennebouy@orange.fr-

SAINTE MARIE DU MONT
3 p.m. - 6 p.m.: « Utah Red Ball » in Sainte Marie du Mont. Convoy of GMC on the Utah Beach sector. Information and booking: Club du Souvenir Militaire - 0033 233 71 56 54 or leholdy@orange.fr
3 p.m.: Concert of the Legion Band with 50 musicians, on Utah Beach. Organization: Utah Beach Museum
5.00 p.m.: Conference on “the liberation by the American troops of the South West Bohemia”, in partnership with Pilsen (Czech republic)
8.0 0 p.m.: Concert in the church. Organization: Townhall
9.00-11.00 p.m.: Theatre mini-plays by the teenagers of Ste Mère Eglise Secondary school in the Utah Beach Museum.

SAINTE MERE EGLISE
8.30 a.m.: Vintage cycling hike with 1940-45’s bicycles, clothes and uniforms
Limited to 70 participants. Registration: 00 33 243 21 21 46 or Christian.marie.royer@orange.fr
Organization: CVMO in partnership with MVCG Bretagne, CLG, CAPA and la Roulotte Gauloise
9 a.m.: Memorial Mass, in the church. Organization: Centre paroissial (to be confirmed)
9.30 a.m.: Ceremony at the Temporary Military Cemeteries Monument, at the sportfield. Organization: Townhall
11.45 a.m.: Welcome to 300 to 350 “Friends of the Way of Liberty” cyclers, at the Borne 0, in front of the Townhall. Booking starts in January 2014. http://www.voiedelaliberte.fr

PARACHUTAGES - La Fière Site (Kellam Bridge) - 3 km away from the center

11.00-2.00 p.m.: International Military Parachute drops with 700 soldiers of several nationalities, on the site.
Patrouille de France (French squadron’s airshow) - To be confirmed
2.30 p.m.: Official Ceremony at the Iron Mike Monument.
The French Medal of Honor will be given to the American Veteran Fred Morgan (paratrooper medic with the 82nd Airborne).
11.00 a.m.: Ecumenical Memorial Mass (to be confirmed)
3.30 a.m.: Re-enactment of 1944 parachute drop with 250 paratroopers and 11 C-47 planes. Organization: RCPT, LJT and Townhall
11.00 a.m.-5.00 p.m.: Parade of the band “la Banda Jojo” on the site
4.00 p.m.: Parade of the soldiers toward Sainte Mère Eglise
Organization: Townhall

2.30 p.m.: Concert with “Melon Jazz Band” (25 musicians)
4.p.m.: Vintage cycling hike is back in town!
5 p.m.: Flash Mob with 1940’s music, on the church’ square
6 p.m.: Welcome to the paratroopers, on the church’ square
Inauguration of the monument “Operation Overlord”, tribute to the Allied paratroopers of June 1944, on the church’ square. Organization: AVA
6.15 p.m.: Fly over by the C-47 planes with precision paratroopers who will land on the church’ square
6.30 p.m.: Military Brass bands, on the church’ square
8.30-10.00 p.m.: Concert with “Melon Jazz Band” (25 musicians) or “Kid Rock” on the church’ square


Monday, 9th of June:
SAINTENY
9.30 a.m.: Gathering, at the Townhall
Inauguration and ceremony at the Roserie Monument (at the end of the town, 2nd street, on the left)
Ceremony at the Forge Monument (D971, axe Periers-Carentan)
Reception in Sainteny, at the Townhall

AZEVILLE
Tie to be defined: Historical conference and film projection in open air.
Organization: Azeville Battery - 0033 233 40 63 05 or musee.azeville@manche.fr

PICAUVILLE
11.00 a.m.: Mass and wreath laying in dedication to the civilian and military victims of the 1939-1945 period. In the church.
Organization: Association Patrimoine - tourisme.patrimoine@orange.fr

SAINTENY
9.30 a.m.: Gathering, at the Townhall
Inauguration and ceremony at the Roserie Monument (at the end of the town, 2nd street, on the left)
Ceremony at the Forge Monument (D971, axe Periers-Carentan)
Reception in Sainteny, at the Townhall. Organization: Townhall

SAINTE MERE EGLISE
11.00 a.m.-6.00 p.m.: Music entertainment of the “Camion Jazz” with “Jazz-Unit Normandie”, “Glenn Project” and “la Fanfare Overlord”, in town.

UTAH BEACH
10.30 a.m.: Comanche ceremony with spectacle of dances and songs


Wednesday, 11th of June
NEW: CARENTAN
Training of the 6th Engineers Regiment from Angers on the harbour.


Thursday, 12th June:
CARENTAN
5.30 p.m.: Ceremony dedicated to civilian victims at the war memorial. Carentan was liberated on the 12th June 1944.
8.30 p.m.: Testimony evening. Organization: Patrick Fissot

UTAH BEACH
4 p.m.: Start of the “Ultra D-Day Trail” in Utah Beach. From 7 nations linked to D-DAY, 7 ultra-runners, unpaid top athletes will be associated to 5 soldiers from 5 prestigious academies to run 100 miles on the 5 D-Day beaches. Arrival is on the Friday, 13th June at 2 p.m. at the Memorial of Caen, after 10 check points.



During several days:

From Sunday, 25th of May till Monday, 30th of June
PICAUVILLE
Exhibition of Pont-l’Abbé-Picauville photos before 1944 and now, with commentaries. A the salle T. Porcella.
Organization: Association Patrimoine - tourisme.patrimoine@orange.fr

From Friday, 30th May till Sunday, 1st June
HEMEVEZ
Local choir festival on the theme of Peace and Freedom at 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, at 3 p.m. on Sunday.
Organization: Association of Heritage preservation and Townhall - 0033 645 63 88 39 or jeanmarjoly50@gmail.com

From Friday, 30th of May till Saturday, 30th of August
SAINT CÔME DU MONT
Exhibition “The greatest Generation Memorial Exhibit 2” and the Stars & Stripes newspaper in Normandie, in the presence of Captain Mc Namara (Chief of Stars & Stripes Detachment 1 in Normandy in June 1944).
A special Stars & Stripes will be edited by the newspaper that still exists and will be available during the exhibition.
At the D-Day Paratrooper Historical Center, Dead Man’s Corner Museum: 0033 233 42 00 42 or http://www.paratrooper-museum.org

From Wednesday, 4th till Sunday, 8th June
10 a.m.-5 p.m.: Authors’ dedication time:
Ian Gardner, with his book on the story of the 3rd Battalion of the 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne. (In presence of the Veteran Jim “Pee Wee” Martin)
Michel de Trez: with his book “Carentan 1944”
Phil Nordyke, with his book about the Medal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) recipients for the 1944 feat of battles. (to be confirmed)
Antonin Dehays, with his book about the temporary military cemeteries in Sainte Mère Eglise, Normandy
Philippe Esvelin, with his book on the US glider’s pilots
Gilles Vallée, with his book about the stick of LTC Wolverton
At the D-Day Paratrooper Historical Center, Dead Man’s Corner Museum: 0033 233 42 00 42 or http://www.paratrooper-museum.org

Friday 6th, Saturday 7th and Sunday, 8th June
Animation on the theme “Women in the war” in Quinéville, at the Mémorial de la Liberté Retrouvée: several animations such as photo and uniform exhibition…

Saturday, 2nd and Sunday, 3rd August:
National meeting of liberated towns on the theme « Free France » in St Martin de Varreville. 109 liberated towns, 109 townhalls et 109 flags will be there.
Official ceremony in St Martin de Varreville, at the Leclerc Monument (time to be determined).
Organization: Townhall


Notice: no details on events at Omaha Beach available - esp. on the militaria fair

[12th Air Force]

Events by Nation:

Initial Plans forD-Day Ceremonies in the US Sector 2014

Some initial details for official ceremonies in the American Sector of the Normandy battlefields for the 6th June 2014 period have been announced. Access to these ceremonies is open to all, although there may be some VIP areas and also traffic restriction because of the participation of international Heads of State.

Given the number of British servicemen involved in the landings at Omaha Beach it is also hoped they will have some involvement in ceremonies as well as those already noted.

Thursday, June 5th 2014
Utah Beach (Cotentin – 50) : 15:00 pm
International Ceremony with American, French and German Veterans

Friday, June 6th 2014
Colleville-sur-Mer, US military cemetery (Calvados – 14) : 07:00 am
International Ceremony with American, French and German Veterans

Friday, June 6th 2014
Utah Beach (Manche – 50) : 09:00 am
“IVY March” from Utah Beach to Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, on the same itinerary used by the men of the 4th Infantry Division on June, 6th 1944

Friday, June 6th 2014
La Cambe, German military cemetery (Calvados – 14) : 14:00 pm
International Ceremony with American, French and German Veterans

Friday, June 6th 2014
Sainte-Mère-Eglise (Manche – 50) : 20:30 pm
Peace concert at the church of Sainte-Mère-Eglise

Source: http://dday70.wordpress.com/

[12th Air Force]

Events by Nation:

Initial Plans for D-Day Ceremonies in British Airborne Area

some details of the initial plans for 70th Anniversary commemorations in the British Airborne sector of the Normandy battlefields for June 2014.

4 June 2014

Memorial Service: To be held at Putôt-en-Auge.

5 June 2014

Merville Battery: Short service of commemoration.
Breville Crossroads: Short service of Commemoration
Veterans’ picnic: At Breville attended by veterans and their guests.
Parachute insertion: details to be announced.

6 June 2014

Ranville Crossroads: A short wreath laying ceremony to 13 Para Bn at their memorial.
Veteran March: Veterans march from the crossroads to the cemetery.
Memorial Service: A memorial service in Ranville War Cemetery.

Source: http://dday70.wordpress.com/

[12th Air Force]

D-Day 2014 in the News:


Countdown Begins to 2014 International D-Day Ceremony on Sword Beach

June 7, 2013 by Ray Clancy


As events commemorating the 65th anniversary of D-Day come to an end this weekend the countdown to next year’s ceremonies in Normandy have already began.

A giant clock counting down to 06 June 2014, the 70th anniversary of the landings, has been started at the tourist office in Bayeux and it has been announced by the Minister for veterans Kader Arif that the main international official ceremony will be held at Sword Beach next year.

That means that Ouistreham and Colleville-Montgomery will see visits from the main world leaders who are likely to include Untited States President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Canadian Stephen Harper and probably a representative of the British royal family.

There is a lot of speculation that Prince Harry, a serving soldier, could make his first appearance at a D-Day event since this is the first time that a beach that was the focus of the British involvement in the landings has been chosen to host the main ceremony.

Prince Charles may also consider attending the 70th anniversary but is more likely to want to go to Ranville and Pegasus Bridge as he is Colonel in Chief of the Parachute Regiment. It is unlikely that the Queen will attend. She missed out on the 65th anniversary and with her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, has been increasingly handing over duties to younger royals. Although there is some who think she might want to make a last visit to Normandy.

There is also speculation that Sword has been chosen as the main focus event for D-Day 2014 after a row broke out when it was left out of a major tourism marketing campaign which only features the other four beaches; Utah, Omah, Gold and Juno, with critics claiming it ignored the contribution made by and British troops and Free French commandos who landed on Sword.

But Mr Arif denied this. ‘Controversy is something that should be avoided. The 70th anniversary of D-Day should be a reason for national cohesion and pride. Choosing Sword beach makes sense because other beaches have been chosen for major anniversaries and this beach is the history of the British involvement. France is a land that can accommodate all her friends and allies,’ he explained.

Mr Arif also announced that two other major ceremonies are planned for 2014; one at Omaha beach in the American sector of the landing beaches and one at Juno where Canadian and British troops landed.

Sword beach is famous as being where Lord Lovat and his commandos landed and were piped ashore by Piper Bill Millin, who will be remembered this weekend when a new statue of him resplendent in his kilt is unveiled at Colleville Montgomery. The commandos went on to Pegasus Bridge where they relieved troops that had parachuted into France on the eve of D-Day to secure the crossing points on the rivers Benouville and Ranville.

Three french commandos who landed on Sword beach in 1944, Léon Gautier, Jean Morel and René Rosset were at the ceremony where Mr Arif made the announcements about the 2014 ceremonies.

A number of key events are still taking place this weekend and visitors can see the re-enactment camps at Sainte-Mère-Eglise, Picauville and Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. On Saturday in Carentan there is a historic march in the footsteps of the 101st Airborne division which includes people dressed in historical costumes and will feature a parade this year of Second World War bikes.
A parade of World War Two military vehicles is taking part at Isigny-sur-Mer with over 80 jeeps, dodges, GMCs and others. On Saturday evening there is the annual picnic on Omaha beach with 1,500 people exepected to take part.

One of the final popular events is the parachute jump at La Fière near Saint-Mere-Eglise which this year features both military and civilian parachutists. But there is no American contingent this year to defence budget cut backs. But the Americans have promised to return for 2014.

Source: http://newsinnormandy.com/news/countdow ... ord-beach/

[12th Air Force]

D-Day expedition organized by National Geographic - might be a option for our MV friends from abroad:

Special 9 days expedition commemorating the 70th anniversary of D-Day - offering a trip from London to Normandy and the Beaches.

See more at: http://www.nationalgeographicexpedition ... our/detail

[12th Air Force]

Details on Dog Green Camp at Vierville-sur-Mer (Omaha Beach)


Beside the Omaha Beach D-Day Museum (direction of Omaha Beach Camping) will be the "Dog Green" Camp. The Camp is organized by the French MV owners Club L'UNIVEM (Paris & Ile de France area). It's a very interesting Club with lot's of fantastic MV (see: http://www.univem-paris.com/).

The Dog Green Camp is very professional organized and splitted in two Camp areas: one for Re-Enactors and a second for "normal" MV owners / collectors - so everyone will find "his place".
The Re-Enactors Camp is next to the D-Day Museum on the hill at the roadside and quite large (down to the end of the Mulberry bridge area).
The other part of the Camp for the MV owners is vis-a-vis on the opposite side of the street.
See: http://www.dday2014.fr/plan-du-camp/
Please notice: the Museum was closed at D-Day 2013 because the owner died a while ago. I'm not sure if it will be open again in 2014.

The L'UNIVEM Club offers Camp packages for a complete week (2nd to 9th of June) incl. Toilets and Showers for 100,- Euro p.P. As an opportunity you can book in for the weekend only (5th to 8th of June) for 70,- Euro p.P. - Clubs and groups who wish to participate are welcomed.

The Club offers a nice program with convoy driving in the area etc. Together with the local authorities, there will be animations and commemorations during the 6th June week-end : parades, convoys, tour in military vehicle, honors and more. Details see: http://www.dday2014.fr/app/download/327 ... DAY+V1.pdf

The Camp is open from Mo. 2nd. to Mo. 9th of June. All details / reservation form sheet / program etc. can be found here: http://www.dday2014.fr/

[12th Air Force]

BOOKING INFORMATION! UNIVEM CAMP at OMAHA BEACH 2014!

Skyrookie and I have booked in this week for the UNIVEM Club "Camp 1" (MV Collectors Camp).
Some other Dodge owners are joining us too.

As an option you can book the (very nice!) Re-Enactors Camp = Camp 2.
Please notice the strict regulations for this Camp area! See: http://www.dday2014.fr/app/download/327 ... RVILLE.pdf

If you want to join us and want to book in at the UNIVEM MV owners Camp 1 at Omaha Beach please use their form sheet and book in at UNIVEM directly on your own.
Notice: Limited space - so we recommend to do so a.s.a.p.!
The Form sheet can be found here:
http://www.dday2014.fr/app/download/377 ... 014+v2.pdf

If you want to join us Forum members for the D-Day week at the Camp-Site, then please state on the form sheet as follows:

Select a camp type: Collectors
Club: ww2dodge.com Forum
Web site: http://forum.ww2dodge.com/
Leader name (contact): Joakim
So this way the UNIVEM organization team has the chance to give us a joint tent area, so that we are not "spread allover the area" (sorry: we will not get any discount).

The actual D-Day week program that UNIVEM has published up to now can be found here:
http://www.dday2014.fr/app/download/327 ... DAY+V1.pdf

So you will have a chance for convoy driving in the area with the other Camp members as well as a visit at Omaha Beach (hopefully with full Beach access for MV!).
Otherwise you are free to discover the area, beaches, batteries, museums etc. on your own.

Alternatively you all are welcome to become a part of our small but growing joint Belgium-German "Band of Dodge Forum Brothers"!
We will have a sign post in front of our tent area stating "ww2dodge.com Forum" for better orientation.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me via PM or E-Mail.

CU (again) at the Beaches in 2014,

Joakim

PS: Teaser can be found here:
http://dodge.buwe.de/dday2013/
and here
http://www.steel-toys.com/DD13/

[Nick J]

Queen Elizabeth will be there and is to be guest of honour at Sword beach Normandy.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... D-Day.html

[12th Air Force]

Latest update: Skyrookie and I are registred at the UNIVEM MV collectors camp.
Hopefully we will have 2014 as much fun as we had this summer.

CU at the beaches, Joakim