Normandy: Discover the Setting of D-Day in France

[@ErinDindoffer]

Thank you DW! My grandfather landed at Utah Beach, 7th Army Unit, field artillery. I found this out posthumously, because grandpa only spoke about the war once.

[@tylerredforge5563]

My great grandfather was on omaha and you are correct, vets rarely speak about it if ever.

[@wenceslarsleauxdegrance2319]

❤ How this balanced feature has DW's Mr. Lukas Stege and his team combine both the informative and serious D-Day topic in Normandy and the light touristy Bayeux activities.

[@scarymonsterrs]

Amazing how far we've come, thank you DW 🇩🇪🇺🇲

[@DavidS5118]

One of the most somber places to visit in the world. My Uncle landed at Utah and fortunately made it back home.

[@brunol-p_g8800]

He was lucky to have landed at Utah. Utah and Omaha were the least heavily defended beaches. Another landing, that was much more hardcore than the Normandy landings, was the landings in Provence southern France were the Germans had heavily fortified and were waiting for the landings. Made up of half American troops, half French troops of the French B army (who was a seasoned force, they broke the German line and made a breech at Monte Cassino, where all allied Americans, UK, Anzacs,etc. Had all failed; and liberated Rome) , they were the ones who successfully rejoined the Normandy party in a claw movement leading german troops out, and they also were the ones who freed France (mostly French soldiers).

[@DavidS5118]

@@brunol-p_g8800 Thank you

[@KnightFel]

@@brunol-p_g8800way to downplay his uncles service. Utah and Omaha were no joke and really weren’t that lightly defended.

[@guadalupemartinez5725]

It was a very moving trip through history.

[@DWTravel]

🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@Meme-mq4nu]

I highly recommend any of you to visit D-Day landing beaches and sites at least once in your life time. It’s very moving and emotional visit for me. Though those places are beautiful today, the history of these places were very sad and eerie. The cemeteries of the Allies and Germans are very worth your visit too. I spent a whole week in Normady region. A truly once-in-a-life-time trip.

[@HypeMaster1473]

😮 I just visited that place during my family trip to Europe! There was some kind of event going on when we arrived.

[@aritrodasgupta2019]

I traveled to the beach in Calais in 2022 and saw the bunkers and a lot of the war sites.

[@susmoybasak2971]

This report bears testimony to how far german people have come forward in civil liberty and press freedom. My respect for the German people has touched a new height.

[@garyb5998]

From the the ashes of despair grows the Phoenix of hope and peace

[@jsilva7005]

Seriously it’s amazing how our sworn enemies in WWII, are now our close allies. Kudos to Japan and Germany, for being able to change. On top of that, it’s beyond impressive how they were able to rebuild their countries into2 of the best countries in the world today.

[@GregB419]

American here and wanted to thank you on a tremendous story. Many thanks. 🙏❤️👍

[@TheLeh1964]

Frere Jacques is a rhyme I grew up with in the USA. I visited Bayeux in 2024 before 80th Anniversary. The lady visiting from Texas USA 🇺🇸 - I felt quiet, mindful and overwhelmed seeing late afternoon tide, sun and absolutely no one on the beach that day.

[@goutham24693]

I can say Call of Duty WW2 did an amazing job recreating the landings in the cutscenes. All the location, boats look identical. Thanks for this informative video.

[@DWTravel]

That's correct. It's amazing how detailed the area is in some games. Also the villages, the small streets, the fields and the "bocages" typical of Normandy.

[@boris8787]

The preparation for D-Day was most secret and very effective - reminds me of the 1944 movie set in the town of Chillingbourne. 🎥🎥🎥

[@merrylmarsh9037]

Thank You for posting this experience. People like myself who cannot travel get the opportunity to see this very special event.❤ Cheers

[@MaresaEngo]

Earlier this afternoon, my mom and I watched the film "The Longest Day". This evening I am watching this video about the present situation in Normandy.

[@brianjames3849]

A really good vlog many thanks for posting

[@___beyondhorizon4664]

Hopefully i can visit in September, less crowds

[@jimmyhillschin9987]

Another video in which the British and Canadian contribution is marginal at best, yet they were a large majority of the troops on D-Day.

[@Amathusukx]

Same old story

[@jimmyhillschin9987]

@@Amathusukx Yes, it is.

[@JonnyRicter]

Their contribution is in no way marginalized and was integral to the success of the operation. Your statement that, “the vast majority of,” troops on D-Day were British and Canadian is factually incorrect. Of the approximately 160,000 troops, 75,000 were American and 85,000 were British, Canadian, and 10 other additional nations. However, of the 4,400 lost, approximately 2,500 were American and of the 5 beaches in Normandy, the heaviest defended and most difficult to capture was Omaha accounting for approximately 2,000 deaths. So the British and Canadian contribution is not marginalized, the coverage is proportional to the difficulty and sacrifice of the invasion as a whole.

[@jimmyhillschin9987]

@@JonnyRicter It takes some gall to change someone's words into something else in order to make a point. However my use of the word 'troops' was probably wrong, since I meant the naval and air forces too. Nevertheless, the idea that this state of affairs merits basically no recognition at all is quite something. It demonstrates an arrogance, one that generates a degree of resentment and antagonism that might be worth reflecting on, not least given that it is not particular to this point in history.

[@Macmannn]

@@JonnyRicter if you look at Landing force size.. Juno Beach took the highest percentage of casualties.. you were more likely to die on Juno than Omaha. AND Canada still managed to make it the furthest inland by the end of June 6th, I think that definitely deserves a little recognition.

[@Hongaars1969]

Greetings Lukas. Can’t recall if I have ever written a comment previously. I’ve followed your presentations for some time now, love all your work. Thank you. In regards the D-Day beaches, I have on four separate occasions visited the beaches and the memorial sites. Each time is more special than the last. Perhaps you had chance to visit the German cemetery as well? Even though my origins are in Central Europe, D-Day has always resonated strongest for me.

[@DWTravel]

Thanks for sharing!

[@zelgemini24]

The government and people of France made this a landmark and historical sites of D-Day on Normandy and world war II monument for allied soldiers who fought and died for freedom and liberty.

[@MrScottson1]

We went here a few weeks ago. One of the most moving places I’ve ever been. We’ve also uploaded a similar video to my channel. Great video!

[@jonesyjones7626]

Why do all these features always focus on US and not British or Canadian sites?

[@theonlymadmac4771]

Because British planning was better and so the landings went better. That’s how life works.

[@seibelstein]

@@theonlymadmac4771 not really! Monty planned to take possession of Caen on D-Day + 1 or 2. It took him 6 weeks. Huge miss-planing also during operation Market Garden

[@JAKCELERE]

Normandy is not located on the Atlantic coast of France, but on the Channel coast.

[@AfterHoursNeon]

very cool video

[@geeemm8028]

Hello from California! Your video has inspired me to plan for 2025.

[@DWTravel]

I'm glad to hear that 😊 When you're here, maybe you can make a detour to Germany 😎

[@stangace20]

Nice vid, but you had utah beach pinned in the wrong place on your map @ 1:56, it's actually on the southeast side of the cherbourg peninsula across the canal/delta west of omaha beach. And Omaha is realistically where you pinned utah beach at lol

[@DWTravel]

Oh, you're right! 😮 Thanks for the comment 🙏🏽

[@Russell9241]

Very interesting tour Lukas and thankfully now we are all on the same side as part of NATO

[@HollywoodMarine0351]

At 14:45… when did it become standard not allowing visitors to walk within the cemetery. Did something occur which caused this restriction?

[@DWTravel]

We asked an employee. This has been the case for about two or three years. The lawn was worn out by the many visitors. It requires a lot of maintenance.

[@HollywoodMarine0351]

@@DWTravel Copy that. I’m grateful to have had the privilege in 2017 to walk through the garden of stone.

[@Girbie1973]

@@DWTravelhmmm, I was there last summer and you were free to get closer to the graves. I guess it might be depending of the time of the year. When the grass is wet it won’t stay nice when people walk over it.

[@DWTravel]

Maybe🤔​@@Girbie1973

[@edvinsmailovic4986]

Hi Dw, very informative video. Inside the video 10:30 min you buy various souvenirs, e.g. wine and cakes, so I wonder what is the name of the store and where is it located? Deeply grateful for the reply.

[@DWTravel]

Lukas bought the souvenirs in Bayeux, in the shop behind the cathedral. But you can find them everywhere in this region.

[@edvinsmailovic4986]

@@DWTravel Thanks so much.

[@marioplessers]

Did you know that they used that C47 in Band of brothers?

[@corsair6]

There's nothing So Called about D-Day, that's the colloquial name for OP Overlord.

[@ffg902]

Volkswagen Kübelwagen it has taking part on D-DAY

[@landonswitzer6061]

Next do the british and Canadian

[@CGM_68]

Graphic at 2:04 shows the location of Utah beach incorrectly. Unlike the other landing beaches it is located on the Cotentin Peninsula, chosen because of its proximity to the port city of Cherbourg.

[@DWTravel]

Oh, you're right! 😮 Thanks for the comment 🙏🏽

[@CGM_68]

@@DWTravel sorry for picking holes in your otherwise excellent video.

[@DWTravel]

@@CGM_68 It's fine 😄We are happy when our community is so attentive!

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

It was many years ago I visited the Beach with the artificial Mulberry Harbor, and the swimming Sherman tanks, set to sail far too far out, so most actually sank during the sailing in to the beach! I didn't manage to visit the Germans at La Campe, with the famous Tank Commander: Michael Wittmanns grave, which is always filled with flowers.

[@bidules]

Ouch, Normandy sea is the Channel, not the Atlantic !

[@christophermichaelclarence6003]

They keep saying that all year around. We bloody got it this is where they the Americans came ashore in Normandy Beach. But did they realize the Nazis were waiting for them and they opened fire with Machine Guns. Poor lads North of France was completly occupied. Such braveness and devotion from those fallen soldiers. Do not deny the Brits as well, they were also part of the WW2

[@815thengineers8]

Excellent program. the graves at the US Cemetery are off limits on a temporary basis to protect the grass for the 80th ceremonies. When there grass is dry, with no recent rain, they are open.

[@jme104]

Those are really french fries , the brown colour comes from the used motor oil they were coocked in .

[@Lawomenshoops]

DDay didn’t end WWII! it help start the end of WWII!

[@Girbie1973]

I assume it was temporary forbidden to get closer to the graves due to the new grass?

[@DWTravel]

Not just temporarily. This has basically been the case for two or three years.

[@Girbie1973]

@@DWTravel weird, I was there last summer (2023) and there were no barriers or signs. I visited a number of graves of well known people and so did many others.

[@DWTravel]

​@@Girbie1973An employee told us that access is only permitted in exceptional cases 🤔

[@paulwee1924dus]

And the Italian soldiers at Normandy, Navvy guys.

[@caroledsd1243]

Great, but it's not the atlantic coast but the "English" Channel coast

[@DWTravel]

We used both terms 👍🏼 The English Channel is an extension of the Atlantic - an "arm" 👌🏼

[@caroledsd1243]

@@DWTravel maybe in the States, but not in England and in France. I have never heard this for Normandy.

[@KB-dv6gh]

@caroledsd1234 is correct it is the English Channel not the Atlantic coast.

[@juliad368]

In France we just call it the channel 😊

[@caroledsd1243]

@@juliad368 I know, I'm french and even from the "Manche" département ..., I have said English for him to understand, but "peine perdue".

[@johnking8724]

Of Course, the USA had the heavy load that Day in History ! Pres. Ronald Reagan's speech in 1984 was memorable !

[@pauladams7344]

Ah, the food.....

[@張玉珍-o6d]

Hi, what's D-Day?

[@DWTravel]

The "D" in D-Day simply stands for "Day." It's a general military term used to denote the day on which an operation is to be initiated.

[@knottsscary]

why is walking in the grave area banned now?

[@DWTravel]

We asked an employee. This has been the case for about two or three years. The lawn was worn out by the many visitors. It requires a lot of maintenance.

[@knottsscary]

@@DWTravel Thanks for the reply. I’m going next year and hoped to be able to walk through there but I guess thats okay

[@matthewskudzienski888]

🇺🇸🇬🇧🇵🇱🇳🇿🇦🇺🇫🇷🇳🇴🇩🇰🇨🇦🇧🇪

[@markgillianlelis3528]

Ah yes the willy jeep right after the war, we Filipinos turn it into public transport vehicles

[@DWTravel]

Really?

[@AXXeYY]

not the documentary germans in the 40s think germany public service produse 80 years later😅

[@GuyWilson706]

Nothing on British and Canadian memorials? Perhaps just title the video stating the US only. Just for clarification

[@maxentropy0305]

I noticed that the Americans like to use words like "liberate", "freedom", etc. Kind of interesting.

[@davidlord7364]

??

[@UnknownUser-ni9iz]

Its funny DW reporting this

[@SlamboSVV]

Exactly, a german media reporting this LMAO

[@lowellaguno]

Eure Kommentare zeugen von mangelnder Reife. Ihr seid das, wofür der dritte Buchstabe von „LMAO“ steht.

[@John-qb8vd]

@@lowellagunoGreat comment, very fitting description of the “A”.

[@edwinschneider1247]

Honor🫡

[@billyskoda6839]

I'm British born, but Deutschland is my heimat. Too much focus, especially by the French (noticeably absent between 1940 and 1944) and in the UK forgets the thousands of Germans who also became casualties as a result of Overlord.

[@juliad368]

As the grand daughter of a French resistant I object to your comment of France being notably absent.

[@billyskoda6839]

@juliad368 good. I repeat. The French capitulated, then stole areas of Germany, including Berlin, Elsass and Saarland. Why France was given occupation zones is beyond me. Saarland actually got the chance to return to civilisation via a referendum. I know a lot of good people died on both sides to 'liberate' france, but then their memory was dishonoured because it was returned to the French.

[@tomhenry897]

France still,talking about removing the American graves

[@heliedecastanet1882]

Really ? Where did you hear this ?

[@juliad368]

Why are you spreading misinformation ?

[@heliedecastanet1882]

@@juliad368 tomhenry is just a troll

[@RiamCute]

Ah Germany......why you don't take any responsibelity of Holocaust ????.As comoensarion to the JWZ, Germany should spare some.LANDS in SOUTH to Israelites to create our BELOVED ❤ STATE OF ISRAEL!.!!! THATS THR BEST 2 STATE SOLUTION . THANK YOU.😊

[@juliad368]

What are you talking about ? Germany takes responsibly for the holocaust. They teach it in school.

[@MrMaltheChannel]

I only have one thing im not happy about. You calling it "Utah beach". Its just called Utah

[@DWTravel]

But it is still a beach👍🏼This ensures that there is no confusion with the US state😉

[@seibelstein]

The landing zone was called "Utah" Later on that place was called " Utah beach" All traffic signs and even on the Beach-Site the signs say "Utah Beach". Only among the poeple (especially the young ones) they say Utah I was living in Carentan and often heared and said myself "nous allons a Utah aujourd' hui"

[@Pedro-s3f2s]

His enemies are heros😂 So being anti german is the german's rule.😋

[@solarplexus4003]

Must be so embaracing for ze germans.

[@murpho999]

Not as embarrassing as your comment or your spelling. Younger Germans have nothing to be embarrassed about.