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Day 6: March 28, 2024
We were on the road this morning, leaving Paris for a sobering and reflective visit to the Normandy coast which was invaded by Allied troops who succeeded in overcoming the German defences, albeit with significant losses. The Gun Battery Museum of Merville had a wealth of interesting and informative artefacts, including a Douglas C47 aeroplane, machine guns and shells. An interactive sound and light show immersed us in the experience of frontline warfare, and even the platform we were standing on vibrated with the sound of explosions and gunfire. The displays helped us to understand the experience of the soldiers; some not much older than us. This was made even more poignant, when we visited the nearby Juno Beach - where the Canadian Third Infantry Division succeeded in penetrating the German defences and successfully capturing their positions in the early hours of D-Day, on 6 June 1944, during the Second World War - and, lastly, the nearby Canadian Cemetery at Bény-Sur- Mer where we found that the youngest soldier to lose his life was just 17 years old.
We enjoyed a really tasty creamy chicken and rice dinner, this evening, not far from the hotel, with crème caramel for dessert, followed by a surprise rendition of Happy Birthday for one of our party, whose birthday it was. And then back to the hotel, to wind down for bed. An exciting day tomorrow, as we’re off to climb Mont St Michel!