Sainte Mere Eglise & the Airborne Museum

While we were visiting Normandy, our first stop was St. Mere Eglise, one of the first villages liberated by the paratroopers on D Day. It is strategically located on Route N13 which was a major supply route for the Nazis in occupied France.  Gaining control over the village would be instrumental in preventing any significant counter-attack by the Third Reich after the D Day invasion. The battle was fierce with the first wave of paratroopers inadvertently landing in the middle of the village taking on heavy casualties. However, through sheer determination and a heroic effort, the village was under Allied control by the end of the day. It became instrumental in maintaining the progress of liberating France. The village is proud of its heritage and prominently displays their gratitude toward the Allied forces. 

The "chapel" sits in the middle of town. Most towns and villages in Brittany are centered around a church/.

Atop the bell tower rests an homage to paratrooper John Steele whose chute got hung up on the steeple. He was taken prisoner but managed to escape and help liberate the village. 

In the '60's a new stained glass window was added to the sanctuary, depicting thanks for the paratroopers.

The sanctuary

The Airborne Museum

A Sherman tank outside the museum

A sculpture honoring the paratroopers and the flags of all the nations involved in D Day

Army Jeep

The museum displays a number of military vehicles

Ike addresses the troops before they launch the D Day invasion

Displays are amazingly lifelike 

The town is dotted with reminders and memorials to those who fought.

Many of the local businesses relate to D Day, some of them a bit awkwardly!

The village is warm and friendly. Kelly and I had lunch at this cafe, just a few steps away from the chapel.