The Royal Marine Commandos of Port en Bessin 1944 Then and Now

[@davecook3840]

Was there today. 17/10/24 My Grandfather was a veteran RM and was fantastic to put pictures to his memories he shared with me. Along with the work you did in this video made the day very special. So thank you

[@ianbuckley9530]

Was here for 7th June 2015. Very humbling to meet the last remaining veteran. Incredible story. Lost most of their equipment on Gold beach and still achieved their objective.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I bet that was a fantastic experience.

[@ColinH1973]

Thanks for this Jon. I was there in 1997 with my parents and wife. We had a drink in the bar that you passed and a waiter took a photo of the four of us. Unfortunately I am the only one left now, but thank you for this episode, and for reminding me of happier times. All the best.

[@alexplanky]

Thanks for covering British content on your channel. Always overlooked by Holywood!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Not a problem and absolutely agree with you! I’ve got a lot more British and Canadian content planned for the channel!

[@dipseavet]

Great video. I had lunch right behind you at the Monty photo back in 1999.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh cool! So many good places to eat in Port en Bessin isn’t there! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@kathrynosullivan5014]

Great video. Thanks for the information. We will be Visiting there next week for the 80th celebrations. Thanks again Mick

[@MiketheMadness]

An assault force attacking while outnumbered 4 -1, suffering over 50% casualties, and still taking enemy position after enemy position to achieve the objective. The absolute brass balls on those men, I'm shocked they could drag themselves off the beach at all. The denied VC takes the cake though, British military has always had a weird thing about awarding medals. We will remember them.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Agreed, their efforts there were incredible. And absolutely agree on the British mentality to awarding medals, regardless of type. We’ve always been exceptionally tight in giving them out and still to this day even to those who meet the criteria. It’s as if the senior officers and politicians are paying for the medals themselves!

[@maryholder3795]

​@@WW2Wayfinderwithout the blood and guts to fight. Nit picking.

[@keithdurose7057]

Pegasus Bridge is the usual theme for the British contribution on D Day. It's nice to learn about other units, too. In particular, commando units. Going back to Pegasus Bridge. While I was in 10 Field Squadron, Royal Engineers. We met Major John Howard on an anniversary in the 80s. He gave a walk and talk through on the night of 5th-6th June. At the actual time and places of the assault. Detailed by Major General Gale. Our tasks were upkeeping the Merville Battery, the museum in the grounds of Café Gondree, and other jobs as required. It's all fascinating stuff.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

The actions at Port en Bessin were brutal but often overlooked as it was the day after and not really near any of the invasion beaches as such. But a vital town given that PLUTO ran through there so very important for the build up and subsequent battles in Normandy itself! Thanks for watching.

[@kevinpotter6577]

Great video. I live just about 5k from Port and I have with friends walked most of the front for many years. We entered the Port's info center regarding PLUTO. They had no idea what we were talking about. WE, had to show them the relevant info. Couldn't stop laughing. It was a truly very hard fought battle. But no one knows the true facts. With people like you the true facts are coming out. Well done and keep it up. My uncle lies in Bayeux so I do feel. Many thanks. I love the film of our cafe we visit. Lovely people. The Royal Marine Commandos. 😍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh wow, amazing the local centre wasn’t aware of why it was so important! That’s very sad, but great that you’ve been able to explain to them it’s vital role in the D-Day story!

[@jas_1959]

Once again another excellent episode. Outstanding work Sir 👍

[@dawnlefevre9172]

The history is these streets is mind-boggling!! I couldn't walk them now without seeing the before photos and what was going on then!! Awesome video!!!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It’s incredible isn’t it!

[@mikehall5815]

Thanks for the history lesson 🙂. Stay safe Jon.

[@RobJones262]

I always get a strange feeling when i stand on Gold and Juno beaches where my Dad and Uncle landed, and then see those things that are still there today. My Sister-in-law's Dad was in that attack with 47 commando. Great video. Many Thanks ;)

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Oh wow, quite the family history connected with that small stretch of French coast line! I’m planning on filming a lot more in that area next year as I’ll admit I’ve spent too much time focusing on the Cotentin area around Carentan etc in the past.

[@45degreesmodelling]

Great video as always, there’s a 47 Commando monument at the top of the western hill. Every Royal Marine Recruit Troop visits and learns about Port-en-Bessin during their battlefield tour in training and the RM association often visit every June. I’m glad you’ve made a video on it as it’s an important part of the Corps history in my opinion.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Great that the young lads are taken to these important places and have their heritage explained to them where it took place!

[@adventussaxonum448]

Qqq

[@terrywoodham8419]

Great film been there a few times will look deeper into it now you have show this film.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks Terry. It’s a great spot to visit for the history and a walk up to the cliffs on both sides of the harbour is worth the time for the memorials and the views alike. It’s also a great spot for food too with all the seafood restaurants there!

[@jas_1959]

Thanks!

[@jas_1959]

Appreciate your hard work, wish I could send more.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! It’s very kind of you and I really do appreciate it. Next episode will be all about Moosburg and some great then and now photos featuring General Patton!

[@sheilatruax6172]

I am so glad I found your channel. It is phenomenal!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you’re enjoying it 😃

[@banana1618]

Thanks for bringing history alive, again. It is very much appreciated.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome😃

[@joemabry9643]

Thank you.

[@paulrobinson8263]

Ace that, remember visiting back in the 90’s and in the harbour they still had a Ouiesterham sign painted on one of the buildings in the port clearly seen in the film, was obviously done for the film but was still clearly visible but faded, don’t know whether it is still there though, thanks for sharing once again 👍👍

[@richardyoder3646]

Another outstanding video Jon, love your then and now pics. Keep them coming

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Just editing my next one as I type this!

[@seegurke93]

damn I have been there this summer and saw the building that Monty drove by but I never knew of this great view over the city. Looks like I shall return ;) Grüße

[@firstcitytraveler]

Another excellent video about a place not really mentioned in books about D-Day. Interesting to know this is location of the French commandos attacking Ouistreham in the Longest Day. Keep up the great work.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! It’s definitely one of those locations that was completely overlooked by the events at Omaha and Gold but as with many of these small villages, was vital for the Allies to capture it!

[@brianscott5008]

Correct. The writing on the side of the 'Bazar de Port-en-Bessin' still has the overlaid remnants of 'Ouistreham' from the movie.

[@rodneymasters5996]

Excellent in depth research and expertly presented. Thank you.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@peterfranklin4308]

Great presentation.😊

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@popnmeg]

Excellent 👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@pvtjohntowle4081]

Thanks, never heard of this operation or battle or PLUTO before.😊😊😊

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome😃 Port En Bessin is a great place to visit and quite incredible when you see the size of the place compared to its vital role in the PLUTO story!

[@jcflippen1552]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you for watching!

[@brutter602]

The writing on the end of the shop that says Port en Bessin was written over with Ouistreham for the film Longest Day. You can just make out the writing for it. If you go out onto the western harbour wall you can see artillery/bomb strikes on the walkway where the Germans tried to destroy the harbour wall. The did succeed in destroying a small section of it nearer the land end as you can see it has been repaired with archways instead of a solid sea wall.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Ah thanks for that! That makes sense, time to re-watch The Longest Day again!

[@maartendezwaan9715]

Another great episode Jon thank you very much! You have a awesome job and being so much in France 🍷 🙂 looking forward to your next video 👋

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! But this just my hobby😃 I’d love for it to be my job though as it’s my passion and so much more interesting than my current 9-5!!!!

[@Baskerville22]

Thanks for that. My interest piqued, I'll look for further accounts of the Port en Bessin fight online. The photos of the material off-loaded from transports, sitting dockside, along with the hundreds of thousands of tons off-loaded elsewhere on D-Day, attests to the woeful decline of the Luftwaffe from its zenith in 1940 & 1941.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Port En Bessin is a really interesting yet so little known action. The March to Port en Bessin by 47 Commando is also very interesting and I hope to cover it at some point!

[@duanelawrence78]

Very cool thanks for sharing!!✌️🇺🇲

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@emadeldinhessain3272]

Great. Well done. Thanks.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re most welcome, thank you for watching!

[@AndyRoss-z3t]

Great work.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@steveb5341]

Quality vid mate, never knew that re the commando scene being filmed there for the longest day 👏🏻🪖

[@WW2Wayfinder]

You’re welcome! I remember when I first read the scene was filmed there. Took me ages to work out which orientation they used and where the casino was!

[@19Monts44]

Thanks for the bunker tours!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Glad you like them!

[@krisH-ph5of]

Just got back from a weeks holiday at Arromanches, sadly never made it here (even though it was next door) so thanks for the vid!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Nice time of year to visit that area! Hope you had a great trip over there and thanks for watching, and you’ll know to take a walk around Port en Bessin next time you go back 😃

[@jean-francoislemieux5509]

WOW! soo cool! I had the pleasure of walking along the coast from pointe du hoc to omaha beach back in 1994, in beautiful sunny conditions like that! or maybe i walked till utah beach... the trail continued after the round building and it was getting dark when we got back ...

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Sounds like a great walk! The cliffs along that whole stretch of coast are beautiful

[@eamo106]

Wayfinder, first emplacement is an Observation bunker ? idk. The story of the 47 Commando is fantastic, god bless the RM.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

I think it formed part of the Port defences as there were AAA positions on both sides of the cliffs but you’re right it would also make for a great observation point with the views from it!

[@eamo106]

@@WW2Wayfinder Love your content ! 6 years in Paris and I dragged my family all over the Atlantic wall. Best was in Belgium, Atlantic Wall Open Air Museum near Ostend. You WWII people need to see it !

[@daddyrabbit835]

We stayed in this town a few weeks ago and I didn't even know there were German bunkers there. We were exploring everything else and neglected the local offerings. We explored from Utah to Juno.

[@thenoworriesnomad]

As always mate...👍👍

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@brianjames3849]

Wow i did not know that ,many thanks

[@WW2Wayfinder]

My pleasure!

[@p2m559]

Respect!👊

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@baraiyanaynesh9553]

Very interesting location Sir.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

It’s a wonderful place to visit if you have the opportunity!

[@bugs5644]

wow, very cool!

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you!

[@claudemirlima5647]

Vídeo fantástico! Muito obrigado por nos trazer informações que nos remetem a esses tristes episódios, mas que ao mesmo tempo se trata de uma demonstração de homens que lutaram bravamente. 👏🏻👏🏻🇧🇷

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thank you for watching! 😃

[@palmergriffiths1952]

@WW2wayfinder Are these the same Men (British Commandos) that took out the U-boat pens at St.Naizaire or was that The SAS ?

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Essentially yes, No 2 Commando and the Royal Navy. In 1942, the SAS were still operating in the deserts of North Africa at this point

[@palmergriffiths1952]

Thanks for the Reply. Thanks for the info on that. I read a bit about them. Just wanted to get some clarification between the two. Love the Channel & you're educating me a lot on this.

[@alantoon5708]

Just found out that my co worker follows you as well.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Great stuff!!! Always nice to hear how far my work has got in just over a year! Thanks for that 😃

[@johnpinder8121]

My Father was there with 47RMC and helped to destroy the flack gun boats. Captain Cousins should have been awarded the VC there. But Monty refused to give it, because bravery was expected from all of them.

[@jimmyhillschin9987]

French seaside towns are so much nicer than British ones. They didn't experience the assault of the town planners after WWII - and good for them.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Very much so! Ironically faced one of the biggest invasion forces ever seen but that was no match for a team of council workers hell bent on ‘modernising’ British costal towns!

[@jamesross1799]

Was it already planned to use the location for PLUTO before the marines landed?.

[@WW2Wayfinder]

As far as I’m aware yes, but it’s an aspect of the war I’ve only scratched the surface of and I believe there were other plans for different locations to support the beachhead area

[@johnpinder8121]

The flack ships were moured on the sea side of the harbour wall. The Marines didn't know where the shooting was coming from. As they went up the east side, they were getting shot in the back. They lost alot of men to them flack gunboats.

[@toheedkhanswati2770]

🙉😯🙎👍

[@bootneck401664]

As a serving Bootneck I appreciate you covering this, also I only stumbled upon your channel last week and I’ve belt fed a lot of your videos 😂 keep up the Hoofin vids mate 🙌🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@WW2Wayfinder]

Thanks mate! Glad you enjoyed it and I’ve got plans to cover more of the Commandos and their fighting in Normandy in the coming months!

[@bootneck401664]

Awesome mate, look forward to watching them 👍🏻👍🏻