Normandy Beaches

 

Today we are headed back to France, specifically Normandy.

Today we are visiting the beaches of Normandy.  Details are below.

 

The beaches of Normandy are famous for being the site of the D-Day landings during World War II. The five landing beaches are Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.  Each played a critical role in the Allied invasion of German occupied France.  

 

On June 6, 1944, more than 156,000 soldiers, sailors, and paratroopers crossed the English Channel and stormed five Normandy beaches in a coordinated effort that would change the course of World War II.  

 

This massive feat known as Operation Overlord, remains the largest amphibious invasion in history.  It is a key reason many travelers choose to visit the D-Day beaches while in France.

 

Five beaches were targeted: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.  Allied troops led primarily by the United States, Great Britain, and Canada prepared for the attack.

 

An elaborate deception plan, known as Operation Fortitude, convinced the Germans the invasion would be further north, at Pas de Calais, the narrowest point between Britain and France. When the actual attacks took place about 217 miles (350 kilometers) away, German high command was slow to move.

 

Starting in the west, the landing zone encompasses five primary D-Day beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.  Utah was covered by the Americans, Gold  by the British, Juno by the Canadians, and Sword by the British and free French troops.  They found "relatively" little resistance.  The same cannot be said about Omaha beach.  There were intense battles and high casualties.  Over 2400 American soldiers lost their lives in the first day of battle, earning the beach its nickname “Bloody Omaha” in the process.  All information taken from various sites on the internet and a library book on WWII.

 

I began with an image of the Omaha beach grave site (where more than 10,000 U.S. soldiers are buried), found in a travel brochure.  I computer generated the words, which I cut and outlined in turquoise dye ink.  I then outlined the outside of the 5.5 X 8.5 inch (13.97 X 21.59 centimeter) cardstock in brown dye ink.  It appears I cropped the top of the cardstock.

 

Bleubeard and I are incredibly pleased you stopped by today, and hope to also see you at Art Journal Journey (even if we can't leave you a comment) with your own interpretation of Anywhere, Anytime, Any Place, with Anyone.