While I was away, I was visiting places like this.
More photos to come, in coming days and weeks.
P.S. Thanks very much to JD for keeping things going while I was on vacation — and congratulations to him on his strong showing in the grueling triathlon torture event he put himself through!
Pronounced "Patter-EE-koh"
E-mail: Just use my moniker Patterico, followed by the @ symbol, followed by gmail.com
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Ding!
Patterico (9c670f) — 8/25/2013 @ 7:35 pmI like how they alphabetized them
happyfeet (8ce051) — 8/25/2013 @ 7:37 pmOne of the first headstones I saw was for a fella named George Washington. George H. Washington of Oklahoma, to be specific — died August 18, 1944. I took this photo.
Patterico (9c670f) — 8/25/2013 @ 7:42 pmWhich reminded me of Dean Rusk who, when asked by DeGaulle to remove all American soldiers,
Gazzer (94d756) — 8/25/2013 @ 7:45 pm“Rusk recorded in his autobiography that de Gaulle did not respond when asked, “Does your order include the bodies of American soldiers in France’s cemeteries?”
Welcome back. Or, in case you went native over there, bon retour.
Milhouse (3d0df0) — 8/25/2013 @ 7:46 pmI thought JD was a chick.
Merp (44a2a2) — 8/25/2013 @ 7:47 pmAns don’t forget, when making an omelette, one egg is an oeuf…
Gazzer (94d756) — 8/25/2013 @ 7:47 pmHe used to be!
Gazzer (94d756) — 8/25/2013 @ 7:48 pmyou might could be mixing him up with DRJ
happyfeet (8ce051) — 8/25/2013 @ 7:48 pmMore info on George H. Washington.
Patterico (9c670f) — 8/25/2013 @ 7:50 pmWe went a number of places, but I plan to put up a lot of pictures of Normandy beaches and the surrounding area, as I think readers will find that more interesting than, say, a picture of the Eiffel Tower (although the one with my kids in front of it is pretty cute).
Patterico (9c670f) — 8/25/2013 @ 7:53 pmHooray for airline miles, by the way. We saved those up for years for this trip. When I asked what four round-trip tickets would have cost us, I was very happy I was not paying that price (over $5000 in total, if I recall correctly).
Patterico (9c670f) — 8/25/2013 @ 7:55 pmPatrick, I was there in the summer of 2007. Pointe de Hoc. Longue sur Mer. Those locations were very moving for me.
Near there, the town of Bayeux was my favorite. We had a great time walking around it, visiting the cathedral (with inscriptions that range from the Ninth Century to memorials from British units of WWII) and seeing the Tapestry.
SPQR (768505) — 8/25/2013 @ 7:56 pmWelcome back, Patterico, hope you had fun. Yup, about the airline miles. The daughter’s trip to Australia was paid by the trips to China and Europe, it would have been $5,000.00 or so otherwise.
nk (875f57) — 8/25/2013 @ 7:58 pmI will put up pictures of both Pointe du Hoc and the Longue-sur-Mer battery, SPQR. Amazing stuff. I could only barely believe that the Rangers were able to scale those cliffs as described. And the bomb craters everywhere were incredible.
Patterico (9c670f) — 8/25/2013 @ 7:59 pmHad no time to see Bayeux; we had only time for a long day trip from Paris for Normandy.
Patterico (9c670f) — 8/25/2013 @ 8:00 pmPatrick, the whole area is filled with thought provoking sights, imagining the troops trying to cross those open beaches. The cemetery of course is a magnificent memorial. And at the Longue sur Mer battery, looking at those rusted, shell pocked gun emplacements, I imagined what it was like for those gun crews to be dueling with the offshore Allied cruisers. Very moving.
For those who’ve seen the film The Longest Day, the observation post from which a German observer first sees the Allied fleet is located at the place we’re referencing.
SPQR (768505) — 8/25/2013 @ 8:21 pmI figured you were in trial. This looks much better!
Hope you all had a good time.
Patricia (be0117) — 8/25/2013 @ 9:27 pmOne of the first headstones I saw was for a fella named George Washington. George H. Washington of Oklahoma, to be specific — died August 18, 1944. I took this photo.
I lament the dying out of the tradition where we used to name our sons after American heroes. I wish there were more George Washington Smiths and Abraham Lincoln Mohammads in this country today. Even though it seems unimportant, somehow I think it would make a difference.
JVW (23867e) — 8/25/2013 @ 10:06 pmI use to think DRJ played basketball.
papertiger (c2d6da) — 8/25/2013 @ 10:14 pmDoes anyone know the answer to this question? I saw a show, on History Channel I think, and it stated that the troops on D-Day had a ridiculously low amount of ammo upon their landing. I seem to remember that each soldier had around 20 rounds. Can anyone confirm this because Google is not helping?
Gazzer (94d756) — 8/25/2013 @ 11:20 pmIt does not seem likely, Gazzer. Maybe they were talking about tank, vehicle and heavy gun crews who would have only a sidearm or carbine with only one or two spare magazines? US infantry doctrine by that time was to lay down heavy fire and all US troops were armed with semi-automatic and automatic weapons that would use up 20 rounds in the first minute of combat.
nk (875f57) — 8/25/2013 @ 11:46 pmThe standard cartridge belt of the infantryman had ten pockets, each holding one en-bloc clip of 8 rounds for about 80 rounds. Ammo was packed in canvas bandoleers of 6 pockets. So I believe the soldiers in initial wave had no less than 80 rds but probably 128 to 176 rds each.
SPQR (768505) — 8/26/2013 @ 12:21 amCombat load of a D-Day platoon leader
2 8 round magazines and one in the rifle.
Paratroopers carried 136 rounds plus extra machine gun ammunition or some mortar shells.
Standard infantry load was 96 rounds.
On Guadalcanal it was said that at times due to supply issues, that units not on a line directly facing the Japanese only had 20 rounds apieace
steveg (794291) — 8/26/2013 @ 12:46 amparatrooper description
steveg (794291) — 8/26/2013 @ 12:47 amI was there on June 5 several years ago. It was an awesome, gorgeous day. There was a lone bagpiper playing as he stood on the walk overlooking the beaches at the cemetery. He played Amazing Grace and the few visitors nearby all stopped walking and many a tear was shed. To this day we shed tears for those tens of thousands of our young men who gave their lives so we could keep our freedom…… we are now dangerously close to losing it!
Joepeh (5e2228) — 8/26/2013 @ 4:02 amUh-uh, steveg. Platoon leader was 2d lieutenant. He would have an M1 Cabine, not Garand, 20-round mags, plus 1911 pistol, would not engage/engage in combat, but would direct it, the carbine and pistol were more for self-defense than for engaging the enemy.
Re Guadalcanal, it seems reasonable. Support and rear echelon would be armed only for self-defense. The Marines landed with bolt-action Springfields, still fighting WWI. They changed their ways pretty fast.
nk (875f57) — 8/26/2013 @ 4:16 amYou can see pictures of these places. You can listen to descriptions told by those whom have been to them. There is no substitute, no description can match the emotions one has when standing amongst all of those white markers, realizing the sacrifice given for the benefit of people and peoples that they would never meet.
Edward Lunny (8c4dfd) — 8/26/2013 @ 4:38 amThe most poignant, for me, were those that read 3 or 5 or …… known only to God. Too, too many today have absolutely no clue.
You Christofascist godbag, you, showing all of those crosses and pretending that they’re patriotic or something!
The Dana channelling Amanda Marcotte (3e4784) — 8/26/2013 @ 6:38 amI’ll probably post pictures of the Star of David as well. Several graves have that marker instead.
Patterico (9c670f) — 8/26/2013 @ 6:44 amEdward Lammy,
Very true.
Patterico (9c670f) — 8/26/2013 @ 6:44 amWell put, Edward. I was in Belgium, Luxembourg, and France last month, visiting mostly WWI sites, but the first cemetery I stopped at was the WWII cemetery outside of Luxembourg City where Patton is buried. I deliberately waited as long as I could to look at the graves. As soon as I did, the tears started, and I am not a crier. You can’t imagine it until you are there. I visited the French WWI cemetery at Duoumount. Standing in the middle of 15,000 graves is unbelievable. As were the little German cemeteries dotted throughout the countryside.
Joyce (ab86a1) — 8/26/2013 @ 6:51 amThe wife and I are taking a trip to Paris next spring for a eek or so. Any idea based on your trip how long or problematic a side day trip to Nomandy entails?
Bugg (86f576) — 8/26/2013 @ 6:52 amI’m glad Rico got to tour France before it closes for remodeling.
We have good friends from Alsace and were hoping eventually(their children are also small) to tour with their vast expertise, especially the Provence, but time is running out.
gary gulrud (dd7d4e) — 8/26/2013 @ 7:10 am21-25. I hope the ‘Trouble’ comes in Summer when I’m always in my cargo shorts.
gary gulrud (dd7d4e) — 8/26/2013 @ 7:16 amRico’s timing is always good, and perhaps this time prescient:
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-08-26/durable-goods-crater-plunge-airplane-manufacturing-and-computer-orders-biggest-miss-
and
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-08-26/italy-stocks-slide-government-crisis-deepens
Torpedoes away!
gary gulrud (dd7d4e) — 8/26/2013 @ 7:32 amI visited Verdun some years ago … time does not diminish what happened there. The memory of the Ossuary at Verdun still moves me. I would love to see WW II sites in the area… maybe some day.
quasimodo (97433f) — 8/26/2013 @ 7:36 amIt can be done, but go early. I rented the car the same morning, and it took a while because Hertz is not located in the part of Gare Montparnasse that all other rental agencies are, and the whole rental ordeal was time-consuming and difficult. (And you don’t want a car in Paris generally.) It takes almost three hours each way. But it is very much worth doing.
Patterico (9c670f) — 8/26/2013 @ 7:43 amOur esteemed host wrote:
So, what markers did they have for atheist soldiers, or shall we take that absence as proof that there are no atheists in foxholes?
The Dana who thinks Amanda would be appalled (3e4784) — 8/26/2013 @ 8:29 amO/T I have to use or lose some miles, but I can never use them when I want to, like to go skiing in winter. You know, when there’s snow.
What’s a good city to spend a few days in?
Patricia (be0117) — 8/26/2013 @ 9:19 amI spent a month in the 1970s living in Brittany, the next province over from Normandy and got and opportunity to visit many of the memorial sites discussed on this thread and the one pictured by Patrick in the post. There is no substitute for an actual physical visit IMHO. At that time there also numerous coastal gun emplacements remaining from the war on the Breton coast since the Germans did not know from where to expect an invasion. They could have used a Chelsea Manning or Edward Snowden, I guess.
One of my favorite stops in Paris was always Les Invalides, a military museum but also Napoleon’s tomb and a home for retired or disabled soldiers.
daleyrocks (bf33e9) — 8/26/2013 @ 1:19 pmO/T I have to use or lose some miles, but I can never use them when I want to, like to go skiing in winter. You know, when there’s snow.
you can donate miles to wounded soldiers here
http://www.fisherhouse.org/programs/hero-miles/
is a good thing to do cause of they’re wounded and a lot of times they’re in one place and they need to get somewheres else but they don’t have a lot of money to buy airfare and it’s super easy just click click click
happyfeet (c60db2) — 8/26/2013 @ 1:28 pmThanks to all who answered my question above regarding ammo on D Day. I just now found time to read them. Merci.
Gazzer (94d756) — 8/26/2013 @ 2:20 pmI am a veteran, fortunately one of peacetime. But I wanted my daughters to appreciate the sacrifice of men and women in the Armed Services, and made it a point to visit Arlington with them when we went to D.C. several years ago. It is sobering.
NeoCon_1 (062f23) — 8/26/2013 @ 2:44 pmPatrick, welcome back. Here are a few of my own pics from there.
Mike K (dc6ffe) — 8/26/2013 @ 3:54 pmOT, it would appear the Buddhists are done lighting themselves afire:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/burmamyanmar/10265942/Buddhists-burn-Muslim-homes-and-shops-in-Burma.html
gary gulrud (dd7d4e) — 8/26/2013 @ 4:44 pmOT Libya was just a training exercise in fustercluck:
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-08-26/guest-post-15-signs-obama-has-already-made-decision-go-war-syria
I have every confidence the Israelis hit all the surface to air missiles that were of concern to them.
The surface to ship missiles, the surface to surface missiles, not so much.
Bet they were copacetic about not being included by invitation in the NATO and Arab League coordination sessions too.
gary gulrud (dd7d4e) — 8/26/2013 @ 6:39 pmI lament the dying out of the tradition where we used to name our sons after American heroes.
Fascinating how we’ve gone from a time when Western Europeans, no less, would declare war on one another — and not all that long ago — to a time when a US president evokes a theoretical son of his and cites the name of “Trayvon.”
Life and human history have strange, unpredictable, puzzling, sometimes grotesque cycles and patterns.
Mark (fd91da) — 8/26/2013 @ 9:21 pmThe wife and I are taking a trip to Paris next spring for a eek or so. Any idea based on your trip how long or problematic a side day trip to Nomandy entails?
Comment by Bugg (86f576) — 8/26/2013 @ 6:52 am
Question Yoda has! Is an “eek” the same as a bleem?
Yoda (ee1de0) — 8/26/2013 @ 9:52 pm😆
Yoda (ee1de0) — 8/26/2013 @ 9:53 pmnk
steveg (794291) — 8/26/2013 @ 10:44 pmunderstood.
was using the 2nd Lt as an example of the least ammo carried… that I could find anyway.
lots of anecdotes about guys being given less than the usual load, but was unable to find any confirmation of 20 rounds at d-day. that 2nd LT came dang close though.
46. It’s real about the Buddhists in Burma and it is not the Moslem’s fault.
They complain about them because the area in which they are a majority keeps growing, and that’s because the Moslems have more children.
They’re not illegal immigrants, but Burma has no 14th amendment citizenship clause.
Sammy Finkelman (6c9102) — 8/26/2013 @ 11:12 pmThe preparations:
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-08-27/what-us-strike-syria-would-look
Port Sudan is an Iranian supply base. Moving those carrier groups into place had better happen before missile strikes.
gary gulrud (dd7d4e) — 8/27/2013 @ 6:39 pmThe noises from Syria and Iran are Israel will be targeted immediately on a strike.
I think Turkey should expect to take it up the wazoo.
gary gulrud (dd7d4e) — 8/27/2013 @ 6:42 pm