D-Day 2014 - 70th anniversary - 06.06.2014

[12th Air Force]

NEW MILITARIA FAIRS LISTED:

- 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

- 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 EXHIBITION:

- June 1st, 2014 :
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

[12th Air Force]

NEW: - Thursday, 5th of June

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.

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

[12th Air Force]

NEW: - Thursday 5th of June

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

[12th Air Force]

DOG GREEN CAMP INFO + USEFULL INFORMATIONS FOR OMAHA BEACH VISITORS

Hello D-Day visitors!

The French UNIVEM Club published last week his latest informations about the Dog Green Camp at Omaha Beach and the events they have planned for the D-Day week.

In addition are many usefull general informations given that might be helpfull if you are planning to see the Beaches and/or to visit Omaha Beach. So I uploaded it on my webspace for your information as well (french and english version):

http://www.steel-toys.com/Div/DDAY%20Li ... ccueil.pdf

CU at the Beaches,

Joakim

[12th Air Force]

Warning Vests in France!

Just to inform all of you that are planning to drive to Normandy: In France they have different regulations for safety equipment in vehicles than in other countries in Europe.
- So you have to have warning vests FOR EACH PASSENGER in a vehicle!
The French Police is checking this and violation of this regulation is damned expensive...

In addition you should have a look at the "best before end" date of your first aid kit in the car! In Germany you get a ticket if it is expired - I think they have the same regulation in France.

Keep 'em Rolling,

Joakim

[12th Air Force]

LIMITED ACCESS TO THE BEACHES ON D-DAY!

Hello D-Day visitors,

due to the visit of the officials from several countries is the access to certain areas in Normandy on D-Day limited. See this information on the Normandy tourism HP: http://www.normandie-tourisme.fr/norman ... andeauvert

Update
Due to tight security reasons, traffic will be restricted on 6th June along the D-Day Beaches where the official ceremonies will be taking place.

To find out more, please refer to the official website of the 70th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.
On 5th and 6th June, some museums will be shut to the public or will have changed their opening hours because of the official commemorations.

For more information, please contact the museum(s) directly or have a look on the official website of the 70th Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy.

See this list of locations / ceremonies:
http://www.the70th-normandy.com/le-70em ... ficielles/

Agenda prévisionnel des cérémonies officielles pour la journée du 6 juin 2014
Cérémonie internationale

Précédée d’un déjeuner des chefs d’Etat au chateau de Bénouville, la cérémonie internationale aura lieu à 15h à Ouistreham.
Cérémonie Nationale Française

Présidée par le Président de la République, la cérémonie nationale d’hommage aux victimes civiles se déroulera au Mémorial de Caen le 6 juin 2014 à 9h.
Cérémonies bi-nationales

• France / Royaume-Uni à Bayeux, le matin

• France / États-Unis à Colleville-sur-Mer, le matin

Cérémonie co-présidée par le Président de la République Française

• France / Pays-Bas à Arromanches, le matin

• France / Danemark à Utah Beach (Manche), le matin

• France / Norvège à Hermanville, le matin

• France / Pologne à Urville-Langannerie, l’après midi

Cérémonie co-présidée par le Président de la République Française

• France / Canada à Courseulles-sur-Mer, l’après-midi

CU at the Beaches, Joakim

[12th Air Force]

Official list of certified events

See: http://www.the70th-normandy.com/eveneme ... s/?lang=en

[12th Air Force]

Official Events Flyer for the D-Day anniversary

The official flyer with the XXL event calendar can be downloaded here (43 pages!!!):

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

CU at the Beaches,

Joakim

[Florence]

Hi Joakim,
yes I will be at Point Du Hoc ... BUT ...
Final decision made... we will go without Commander George to the 70th Normandie Anniversary.

Have heat and limestone(?) problems as already wrote in the other thread ... all in all too less time for a first class repair to do the 2.800 km which I made both time on own wheels in 2009 and 2012 to and around Normandie safe.

Of course, independently, will start Saturday early morning to Normandie and stay there for two weeks as planned

Cheers
Florence

[12th Air Force]

Hi Joakim,
yes I will be at Point Du Hoc ... BUT ...
Final decision made... we will go without Commander George to the 70th Normandie Anniversary.

Have heat and limestone(?) problems as already wrote in the other thread ... all in all too less time for a first class repair to do the 2.800 km which I made both time on own wheels in 2009 and 2012 to and around Normandie safe.

Of course, independently, will start Saturday early morning to Normandie and stay there for two weeks as planned

Cheers
Florence

Hi Florence!

- What a pitty!
But taking part of it is the most important thing - even if the CC must be left at home.
And to see it the other way round: I have "two similar cases" with me in Normandy (skyrookie and Michael). Both have their WC51 and 52 trucks "desintegrated" at home and are now passengers in my Dodge...

I could manage to get my Dodge finished in the very last minute: I had 3 minor leaks in my radiator and decided in the last moment to change it as well. The radiator specialist finished the repair first on Monday and since yesterday the old battlehorse is running again... - "just in time".

So we have at Pointe du Hoc the time for the gasoline talks that we missed at Ciney - together with the others that have planned to take part in the event.

We have printed some Dodge Gathering flyers and will spread them up there before the event. So maybe we can get some more Dodge owners attracted for our meeting at Pointe du Hoc.

I created some signposts for the Pointe du Hoc parking area for better orientation. So you have just to follow the ww2dodge.com Forum signs.

If posible I will try to occupy a parking row at the very end of the parking area - as close to the visitors centre as possible.

Have a safe trip and cu at Pointe du Hoc,

Joakim

[ng19delta]

PICS? Anybody have photos from the commemoration?

Scott

[12th Air Force]

Back from the Beaches!

I arrived today at home after driving 2000 km to Normandy and back with the SUV and the Dodge on the trailer - with a average speed of 85 km/h... - felt like a truck driver.

The week in brief:

- 500 km with the Dodge in 4 days up and down the Beaches and hedges. Finally a punctured tire (and a bad sparewheel for 25 km/h max.) so that we loaded then after six days the Dodge back on the trailer and returned home.

- 10 GB memory card space filled with 1800 pictures...

- 1.10 h flying with the Breitling DC-3 after a 90 km convoy ride to the Cherbourg Airport.
WE have seen Utah Beach and Sainte Mere Eglise from the DC-3 at low spped and altitude...
= GREAT FUN!!! - Nobody of us wanted to return to the Airport!

- We have seen several parachute drops from C-47 and the preparation of the parachuters in authentic WW2 uniforms at the Airport.
Among them: "Pee Wee" Martin - 101 AB Veteran - preparing himself for a tandem-jump at the age of 93!
On the way back from the Airport could we see one (of the many) parachuting events - this one took place nearby Utah Beach - with 6 C-47 flying in formation! - Very impressive!

- I met the Pilots of W7 at the Airport that brought the C-47 safe from the USA to Normandy. Thank's from their side for all of your donations that made it possible!

- We have ben part of the official ceremony of the Major of the city of Colleville sur Mer with veterans and soldiers and commanders of the 1st U.S. Army Division.

- Obama and Hollande visited us by helicopter incl. Blackhawk and Osprey formations - only some hundred metres from our Dog Green Camp site. We could hear the salute fire from the cemetary even at the Dog Green Camp at Vierville sur Mer.

- We have been at the US-Cemetary about 3 h after them and took pictures of the floral wreath the left at the cemetary.
But even better: we have been the first ones that found the tombstone of Pvt. Ryan!!!
It had no flowers or anything so we organized a single red rose and decorated his grave with it.

- The Dodge Gathering was a major success!
I would have been satisfied with about 12 Dodge trucks from the Forum at Pointe du Hoc, but during the afternoon more and more MV visited the event (just following our roadsigns) and "squeezed out" the civilian vehicles from the parking area.
Rob counted more than 50 Dodge trucks of nearly all types (only 3 3/4 ton types have been missing!!!) and my estimation was 60 + vehicles.
In addition we had approx. 60 % other WW2 MV in place - most of them J**p's as well as a Ward La France and some GMC trucks.
So this was a nice event with a lot of people from different countries, giving all the chance for good gasoline talks and the opportunity to meet "virtual" WW2 Dodge.Com Forum members personally. Most of them the first time ever.
Last but not least it was a great advertising for our Forum!

Our special highlight: we had among the visitors an American Veteran and his daughter that we met before at the Bunkers on the cliffs. He came to our parking area an was astonished to see so many vehicles and "re-enactors".
He stopped at my Dodge and when he saw my 30M1 he told me that he had the same rifle at D-Day at Utah Beach. He was on a landing vessel with 4 Dodge trucks, his first and the Captain stopped the vessel to far away from the Beach. So they drove down the ramp and the Dodge sunk - with all his gear. A DUCK towed then the Dodge with the dead engine to the Beach and he had only his Carbine rifle and his ammo-belt for the next two weeks! All his other equipment "drowned" with the Dodge.
- Avery impressive and personal moment for me that I will never forget.

- Last (but not least) thank's to the French UNIVEM Club and his outstanding hospitality and professional organization of the Dog Green Camp at Omaha Beach and the Events they organised during the D-Day week!

More lateron (incl. pictures = I have 4 memory cards filled and to work with that material the next days or weeks...) and keep 'em Rolling,

Joakim

PS: Special greetings to BeepBeep - great that you shared our Camp and hopefully you made it without breakdown back to Newcastle!

[12th Air Force]

D-Day pictures...

...can be found here:

http://www.steel-toys.com/DD14/

Notice: use "next image" button for clicking thru the 60 pictures.

Keep 'em Rolling,

Joakim

[Vista52]

GREAT PHOTOS Joakim...Thank you!!!

A wonderful combination of an enthusiastic Photographer, a new Nikon (?) and a Great Location.

[12th Air Force]

Dodge Gathering 2014 pictures...

...can now be found here:

http://www.steel-toys.com/DG14/

Notice: use "next image" button for clicking thru the 90 pictures.

Enjoy the results of my new Nikon (winking to Vista52) and get a brief impression of the largest WW2 Dodge Event in Europe up to now.

Keep 'em Rolling,

Joakim