REHS Normandy Tour 2024

Combined Chiefs Directive to Supreme Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF)

“Task: You will enter the continent of Europe and, in conjunction with the other United Nations, undertake operations aimed at the heart of Germany and the destruction of her armed forces. The date foe entering the Continent is the month of May 1944. After adequate Channel ports have been secured, exploitation will be directed towards securing an area that will facilitate both ground and air operations against the enemy.”

Sir Winston Churchill

“ The most difficult and complicated operation ever to take place.”

General Heinz Guderian, Inspector General of the German Armed Forces

“If we are not in a position to throw the English and the Americans back into the sea within seventy-two hours, then not only is the campaign lost, but also the war itself.”

Generalfeldmarschall Gerd Von Rundstedt, Commander Army Group West (speaking after the war)

“The strength of the defences was absurdly overrated. The “Atlantic Wall” was an illusion, conjured up by propaganda – to deceive the German people as well as the Allies. It used to make me angry to read the stories about its impregnable defences. It was nonsense to describe it as a ‘wall’.”

Points and Places of Interest

• 3 Para Sqn RE demolition of bridge over River DIVES in TROARN.
• 2 Pl 249 Fd Coy Coup de Main operation at BENOUVILLE and RANVILLE bridges.
• Guided tour of Pegasus Memorial Museum
• Construction of LONDON 1 and LONDON II Bailey bridges by 17 and 71 Fd Coys over the CAEN Canal and River Orne.
• Visit RANVILLE CWGC – story of 591 (Antrim) Para Sqn RE and 1^st Bn RUR.
• Short commemorative service at RANVILLE CWGC.
• Assault on MERVILLE Battery by 9^th Bn Para Regt supported by 591 (Antrim) Para Sqn RE.
• Self-guided tour of MERVILLE Battery.
• OUISTREHAM Docks capture by 79 Asslt Sqn RE, construction of TOWER I and TOWER II Bailey bridges over the lock gates at OUISTREHAM.
• SWORD Beach, QUEEN WHITE sector, 1^st South Lancs Regt and 77 Asslt Sqn RE – HERMANVILLE.
• LION-SUR-MER, 77 Asslt Sqn RE sp 41 RM Commando assault on Strongpoint COD, the story of Capt McLennan RE, experiences of STUG (German tracked assault gun) Tp on D-Day.
• Lunch in COURSELLES-SUR-MER – TBC.
• JUNO Beach MIKE RED / GREEN Sector, 26 Asslt Sqn RE, visit JUNO Centre and German fortifications, COURSELLES-SUR-MER.
• Visit Charles de Gaulle Memorial and AVRE 1C – 26 Asslt Sqn RE.
• Visit BAYEUX CWGC, pay respects at grave of Capt McLennan RE.

Support to RAF and USAAF, MULBERRY Harbour, PLUTO and US operations at OMAHA Beach and Pointe du Hoc, participants free to disperse in the evening.

• Emergency Landing Strip at ASNELLES.
• ARROMANCHES, MULBERRY Harbour and PLUTO.
• ARROMANCHES 360 Degrees Normandy Cinematic Experience.
• Visit LONGUES Battery – long range artillery duel between the German Coastal Battery and the Allied navies – claim and counter claim!
• WN62 OMAHA Beach – US 1^st Inf Div and 5^th Special Engr Bde – FOX GREEN Sector.
• Guided tour of US War Cemetery OMAHA Beach to include BGen Roosevelt’s grave and the story of the Niland Brothers – the basis for the film Saving Private Ryan.
• POINTE-DU-HOC the assault on the German battery by US 2^nd Ranger Bn(-) and the UK involvement.

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