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June 6, 1944: A Cromwell tank leads a British Army column from the 4th County of London Yeomanry, 7th Armoured Division, after landing on Gold Beach on D-Day in Ver-sur-Mer, France
A couple walk inland from the former D-Day landing zone of Gold Beach where British forces came ashore in 1944, in Ver-sur-Mer, France
June 5, 1944: The 2nd Battalion US Army Rangers march to their landing craft in Weymouth, England. They were tasked with capturing the German heavy coastal defence battery at Pointe du Hoc to the west of the D-Day landing zone of Omaha Beach
Tourists walk along the beach-front in the Dorset holiday town of Weymouth. The port was the departure point for thousands of Allied troops who took part in the D-Day landings
June 6, 1944: US reinforcements land on Omaha beach during the Normandy D-Day landings near Vierville sur Mer, France
Holidaymakers enjoy the sunshine on the former D-Day landing zone of Omaha beach near Vierville sur Mer, France
June 6, 1944: Members of an American landing party assist troops whose landing craft was sunk by enemy fire off Omaha beach, near Colleville sur Mer, France
A tourist carries a bucket and spade to her child on the former D-Day landing zone of Omaha beach, near Colleville sur Mer, France
June 6, 1944: US Army soldiers of the 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, move out over the seawall on Utah Beach after coming ashore in front of a concrete wall near La Madeleine, France
Children walk over the remains of a concrete wall on the former Utah Beach D-Day landing zone near La Madeleine, France
June 194: A crashed US fighter plane is seen on the waterfront some time after Canadian forces came ashore on a Juno Beach D-Day landing zone in Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, France
Tourists enjoy the sunshine on the former Juno Beach D-Day landing zone, where Canadian forces came ashore, in Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, France
June 6, 1944: US Army troops make a battle plan in a farmyard amid cattle, killed by artillery bursts, near the D-Day landing zone of Utah Beach in Les Dunes de Varreville, France
Farmer Raymond Bertot, who was 19 when allied troops came ashore in 1944, poses on his property near the former D-Day landing zone of Utah Beach in Les Dunes de Varreville, France
June 18, 1944: US Army reinforcements march up a hill past a German bunker overlooking Omaha Beach after the D-Day landings near Colleville sur Mer, France
Youths hike up a hill past an old German bunker overlooking the former D-Day landing zone of Omaha Beach near Colleville sur Mer, France
June 7, 1944: US Army troops congregate around a signal post used by engineers on the site of a captured German bunker overlooking Omaha Beach after the D-Day landings near Saint Laurent sur Mer
Tourists walk past a former German bunker overlooking the D-Day landing zone on Omaha Beach near Saint Laurent sur Mer, France
June 8, 1944: A US flag lies as a marker on a destroyed bunker two days after the strategic site overlooking D-Day beaches was captured by US Army Rangers at Pointe du Hoc, France
An Italian tourist views a bunker at a strategic site overlooking the D-Day beaches which had been captured by US Army Rangers at Pointe du Hoc, France
August 21, 1944: German prisoners of war captured after the D-Day landings in Normandy are guarded by US troops at a camp in Nonant-le-Pin, France
A farm field remains where German prisoners of war were interned following the D-Day landings in Nonant-le-Pin, Normandy
June 15, 1944: The body of a dead German soldier lies in the main square of Place Du Marche in Trevieres after the town was taken by US troops who landed at nearby Omaha Beach
Tourists walk across the main square of Place Du Marche in Trevieres, near the former D-Day landing zone of Omaha Beach
July 1944: Canadian troops patrol along the destroyed Rue Saint-Pierre after German forces were dislodged from Caen
Shoppers walk along the rebuilt Rue Saint-Pierre in Caen, which was destroyed following the D-Day landings
June 6, 1944: US Army paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division drive a captured German Kubelwagen at the junction of Rue Holgate and RN13 in Carentan, France
Girls run across the street at the junction of Rue Holgate and RN13 in the Normandy town of Carentan, France
June 6, 1944: German prisoners-of-war march along Juno Beach landing area to a ship taking them to England, after they were captured by Canadian troops at Bernieres Sur Mer, France
A tourist sunbathes on a former Juno Beach landing area where Canadian troops came ashore on D-Day at Bernieres Sur Mer, France
Lowland
This always amazes me, you go places and forget to imagine how it once was........nice post man
docbrownstolemyplutonium
I would be honored to visit Normandy one day. Pictures like these show how mankind can rebuild, and all hope is never lost.
domesticgodesssss
This is really cool
SockUnderARock
I was quite surprised when I went to Omaha beach to see nothing but some leftover Mulberry pontoons. Pointe du Hoc still shows a lot more
SockUnderARock
Then again, getting rid of all traces of the Nazi oppression was the reason these men went there in the first place.
NowYoureAManAManlyManlyMan
This is amazing, OP. Would love to visit. Thanks +1
BananaHammer
I think I've been about 5 times, the latest visit being last July. If you get chance go to the Mémorial de Caen, outstanding museum.
XxStuntxX
Visited with my grandfather, who survived the beach landing. He wrote this http://joshuadupre.com/2012/10/17/a-letter-from-my-grandfather/ .
therewk
As a Frenchman who likes Normandy very much, i'm sad i can only upvote once. Great pictures !
attilakn
It's nice to see that time actually does heal.
ozzieburgerbum
That's very sweet :))))
P51VoxelTanker
Wow. I've never seen a lot of those pictures before OP, thanks. I'm also wondering how that P-47 landed there in such a pristine condition.
TheFlyingHellfish
That Jug is partially buried, might have ditched a little out and got washed ashore?
P51VoxelTanker
Could be. But the waves could've also washed sand over it.
vivier
As a french, thank you. We'll never forget your sacrifice.
AnnieOminous
Wow, an emotionally wrenching visual for "life goes on". +1
SHANNERS
I like looking for the houses that are still the same
Zypherfier
Agreed. It's just so....fascinating....
djzkay
Me too. In one of the photos, the lightpost is still there. (2nd to last group)
livnthedream
me too. the terrain and everything still matches what they work back in the 40s. idk why i would expect it to be different.
Endo6398
People need to know why they are able to do things like go to the beach or walk around the streets.these are the reasons why.
BeetlejuiceBreaksIn
Don't lie, you zoomed in on the bikini chick in #8.
StillNotYouTube
And she has given birth? wtf
urseppos
Yep :)
DinoKebab
As someone from the UK I don't think Australian, Canadian and other Commonwealth troops get enough credit for how much they helped us out.
wherearetheavos
Don't forget the South African's! Plenty died for the cause. Btw, do you know what your name means in Afrikaans?
eggmuffin
Google says "WalkingSewing". I'm not sure I see the significance.
wherearetheavos
Naai is also colloquial slang for "fuck" as in, sex. So essentially you could say to someone "Go fuck"... Loop also means go away.
MasterXehanort
I just don't think I could visit Normandy or these beaches without losing it. I definitely need to visit someday
CaptHands
101st Airborne Div. photo: 'BoBs' really did a good job of characters casting as the faces look familiar there...
orndog
Not sure how I'd feel swimming on that beach... but then that's what those brave men died to give us the right to do.
Bitchintortoise
Lol I read this and couldnt help but think of a soldier going "This spot, right here, I swear on my fucking life someday someone will be 1/2
Bitchintortoise
able to swim on this god damn beach! Oh, I guess ending the holocaust is also kind of important"
yoyoyoyoyoyoykykyykykykyyk
Yeah I get that, I always remember Normandy as a place where so many of my countrymen lost their lives. It would feel irreverent
ProjectBadass
Genuinely, my greatest fear is to be swimming in the ocean and find a dead body. I can't imagine swimming there.
Jumpinjackieflash
No remains would be present after 70 years, no worries.
andreik
All of Europe has had blood spilled on its sand and soil.
WhatTheFrog
Ye, since there were men here, there's been wars.
HiddenLurker
I think the difference here is that WW2 was so recent, and we have so many real pictures of the bloodshed, unlike the old European wars.
maximinusthrax1
I don't I'd be able to do it. I'm glad those people can but I don't know that I could knowing what happened there.
Jumpinjackieflash
And how many men drowned as they came ashore...It's as much a cemetery as the land is.
rumandbass
I'm just glad this wasn't another justgirlythings
beefcheeks
This is one of the best posts I've seen on Imgur in a long while. Thanks for posting.
lori1119
Never thought about it before, but who cleans everything up after a huge battle: The weapons and downed aircraft, not to mention the rubble?
DinoKebab
Mostly wreckages etc would be salvaged, crashed planes would be stripped for parts etc.
AsAImgurUser
I'm sure that it was mostly German POWs used as labour to repair and clean up. In some places, it was the local government's responsibility.
WhatTheFrog
We still find bombs pretty much everywhere in Normandy, a few years ago, while digging, a 500kg WW2 bomb was found 250m away from my flat
ilikebreakfastfoodandprettybrownhairedwomen
It must be powerful to visit such historic places.
ConfuzzledPuzzles
you'd be surprised, unless it was pointed out, they're just beaches and fields, you forget the sacrifice that was there.
punsnroses
Every place has history behind it. In America we don't learn about the wars of the native peoples before whites showed up.
ilikebreakfastfoodandprettybrownhairedwomen
I don't know, I grew up in the midwest and there was a lot of indian and settler history to go and see if you seeked it out.
TimePressure
It is, especially when you see people using the remnants recreationally. I was camping near Bordeaux two years ago, people... (1/2)
patec
..were using a bone of a WW2 victim they found as a dildo (2/2)
Jumpinjackieflash
That's crap, you idiot.
ObligatoryCommenter
Why would you use ANY bone as a dildo? And why in public?
patec
everything's a dildo if you're brave enough...
ObligatoryCommenter
Is that another internet rule?
Ieatgiraffes
If you see a veteran, thank them for their service. Their sacrifice made this possible.
Jumpinjackieflash
600 WWII vets die EVERY DAY. :( Only the ones who were very young are still alive.
didgythebat
Sadly, there aren't many of these guys left. I lost mine 14 years ago.
chingoo
I'll be there next week for the anniversary. A yearly pilgrimage I make with friends that i would highly recommend.
ISuperBelieveInYouTadCooper
That sounds like a really incredible trip.
chingoo
It really is. Get have a beer with some veterans and hear their stories....Tears every year!
Devils29
When I ran Omaha beach in a full sprint when it wasnt even low tide it took me 45 seconds. I wasnt seasick, cold, tired, dropped out 100 1/2
Devils29
yards off shore in water over my head in a full combat load, or under fire. I have no idea how any of these guys got off the beach...
TrueLegateDamar
Many of them didn't, they just pushed on and I presume it was sheer law of chance that let enough survive to get off the beach and take it
maxamus
Wow, the beaches really were crowded back in 1944.
gillygoat
a special kind of evil... i like it
maxamus
I mean, who do you have to kill to get a good spot??
gillygoat
Just a bunch of guys, dying to get some sun
thegoddamn18thavenger
Someday, I'd like to go to Normandy.
paddymcnasty
It's an incredible experience.
GingerandCats
It is amazingly humbling.
NERDGASMM
I'd like to go. I just Hope it's not on an Amphibias boat wearing fatigues and holding a rifle like my great grandpa. :<
Mycologics
I was there during a france holiday a while ago. Very impressive stuff you can actually feel a sort of heaviness in the air. Very impressiv
bud467
I'ts a AMAZING place. I want to go again. There is SO MUCH to see.
illtrytocomeupwithsomethingwittylater
As a guy from Normandy I'd also recommend that place http://www.survoldefrance.fr/photos/highdef/1/1427.jpg (though it's not WWII-related)
ThoughyoudieLaResistanceliveson
Tu cherches les problèmes avec les Bretons ^^ héhé
MatrimFuckingCauthon
My buddy and I went there. If you ever go to Paris, it's pretty easy to book a Day long tour out to Normandy. I'd definitely recommend it
thegoddamn18thavenger
My sister, mom and bro are going to Paris. I'd ask them to go for me, but I'm the only heavy reader in the family. Besides, just got a job.
differently
My thoughts exactly, I wonder if all of these people know that the restaurant they bought was bombed during WWII, or if the street (1/2)
differently
they are walking on was a battleground. These pics give me goosebumps.
ThoughyoudieLaResistanceliveson
French guy from Normandy here, 95% of my city has been destroyed during the war, trust me, we know very well what happened..
Jumpinjackieflash
Many if not most of them do, they have relatives who tell the stories, who were young children or teens at the time.
nysharkbait
I'm not ashamed to admit I'll cry if I go.
Jumpinjackieflash
You will, and it's nothing to be ashamed of, many people do.
thereeper
Walked on that beach! did the memorial day ceremony at Omaha beach! You NEED to go there sometime
ViolentKisses
That is quite a noble statement Sir, and you have my respect X2
thegoddamn18thavenger
Really? Nothing noble about it. Those men fought for my freedom too.
jenniofthehallucinogenicllamas
I went on a school trip a few years ago. The Juno museum is worth a visit, as is Arromanches
herpaderpaboom
Get me one of these http://static.fjcdn.com/gifs/Saving_0672ac_2995905.gif
jcarn
You should catch a ferry over to Jersey (little island) and see all our German fortifications. Bunkers and anti tank walls everywhere.
WooeeooIlookjustlikebuddyholly
I'm doing this this summer!
jcarn
Damn! Well there is a lovely little French port town called St Malo and from there you can get a return ferry to Jersey for ~£30!
WooeeooIlookjustlikebuddyholly
Wow, thanks for the info!
jcarn
No problemo! If you do decide to come over here let me know and I can recommend stuff for you :) Where are you coming from?
Trollingforloling
New Jersey? You're talking about New Jersey right??!!111
jcarn
This is why when im in the US I just tell people im from London!
krallisawesome
No, old Jersey - the island in the English Channel/La Manche between Britain and France. :P
Trollingforloling
I was joking bromerdinger
jcarn
p.s. My granddad was in the 7th Armored! He'd be happy if he could see this
BananaHammer
I think I've been about 5 times, the latest visit being last July. If you get chance go to the Mémorial de Caen, outstanding museum.
espadrine
As a French, I can assure you that it feels exactly as it looks, but windier and rainier. The sun shines several times a day. It feels great
thegoddamn18thavenger
I like sunshine. I like the wind too.
VitaminZee
I'd highly recommend it, I've been twice. The Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial was particularly amazing (but sombre) even as a Brit.
jenniofthehallucinogenicllamas
I think I went there. Saw a German cemetery too - very moving
deanwinchesterssingletear
The cemetery hit me like a brick. After going through a WWII museum and seeing that I started crying because of it.
SausageBarm
I'd recommend Brookwood in Pirbright, the American, German, Canadian and British soldiers lying next to one another is quite amazing
charlesthe42nd
Me too. It's sad and beautiful at the same time.
batarnak
Good luck finding the Canadian cemetery, though. It's too well hidden.
batarnak
Don't know why I'm downvoted. It IS well hidden. Beautiful, peaceful, manicured, but nonetheless well hidden.
naaaaaaaaaasawenyaaaaa
I'll upvote you. it's a beautiful place that should never be forgotten
TheDarkLordOfTrees
*looks on YouTube for Oh Canada with a sense of duty*
Asherdash
It's a wonderful experience. The German cemetery is also something to try and visit.
jenniofthehallucinogenicllamas
Yes, I went there
Dionysis
As a veteran of more recent wars, I can only hope that someday, the places I have been and seen will be restored to normalcy as well.
TimePressure
And the kids loved to play in the remnants of the german bunkers. Some of them are artfully decorated with grafitti. (2/3)
terbril
That's pretty much the intent behind "beat swords into plowshares."
TimePressure
Seeing people use the places and esp the remnants of a war recreationally is extremely powerful. I was camping near Bordeaux with family 1/2
nickamont
for real.
ElmyrDeHory
Recent wars are present at places less civilized and developed than Europe in 40's. I hope it will change, too. But its very naive I suppose
landcfan
Thank you for your service.
GrabEmByTheEmbassy
'Normalcy' in Afghanistan?!? I think, when considering the last few thousand years, this is normalcy. Not its height but not unusual.
Efreeti
Kabul was an astonishingly progressive city pre-Taliban.
GrabEmByTheEmbassy
I'm aware of that but it's one city and for a short period of time. Afghanistan, for the most part, is a land that time forgot.
sidfromtoystory
normality...
Efreeti
There is still something incomprehensible about sunbathers on a beach where over 4000 men were brutally killed in a single day.
SpongebobQuotes
dont get how you could know what took place there and be able to relax like its any beach. You dont see people playing frisbee at Auschwitz.
thirtyhelensagree
The whole reason these men fought was so that we COULD live like this; not in constand sadness and fear
thirtyhelensagree
*constant
DinoKebab
If you refused to do anything on any piece of land that a battle was fought you would be pretty stuck for anywhere to chill in Europe.
SpongebobQuotes
good point. I'll take the box off my head now.
HasAnyoneReallyBeenFarEvenAsDecided
It's so cool to see how similar the buildings are still.
WhatTheFrog
Not in Caen, nor in and several other cities that were nearly entirely destroyed.
mmurrbles
As an American it is kind of incredible there are hardly any buildings around more than 30 years and a street front? pssh a decade.
CountVorkosigan
We construct buildings to last just long enough to not be sued when they fall over/catch fire.
Jumpinjackieflash
That depends upon where you are in the US - back east has more history than some other areas.
Jumpinjackieflash
But we are still very young as a nation compared with Europe/England.
jjenkins2357
My house (as well as many others on my road) have been around 80+ years.
odysseus
I think the soldiers would be happy that their fighting eventually allowed every day people the freedom to enjoy their lives like this.
10203484050603
no matter who won the war, "every day people" would still be at this beach in the 21st century:Theyd just be different ppl with diff stories
odysseus
unless it were turned into a nazi factory. then there wouldn't be a beach
AlethicLogic
I think everyday people are happy that their freedom eventually allows soldiers to fight like this.
GBWI
may I add: peacefully, from different countries - at the most "fighting" for the last beer.
Puppet7x7
Yeah, my first reaction was, I don't think I could ever just play at a beach where I know so many men died. But your point is a good one.
billymaditsdone
Thought this sentence was going to end sarcastically. lol.
henrygondorff
Well said
qkdkovu
Soldiers would love to be fed and clothed and homed, and have treatment and support for their wartime experiences. Least society could do.
DubSackDave
I agree, I mean isn't it what they were fighting for?
kaizukaInaho
"you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe" 1/2
CharmingAndSexyGentlemanStarshipCaptain
*Repressing the urge to sing that song from Mulan*
zeodas
I think that war was about power, not freedom. Who is now the world's biggest power? those who won WWII
spinosaurus7
Couldn't have put it better myself
TheGodofWar
The soldiers were everyday people.
penguininanelevator
I first thought: How can these people play where so many sacrificed everything? But then I realized, they sacrificed for this reason.
UncleWashy
This is exactly how I felt. It's terrible and beautiful at the same time.
MagmaKnight
Yeah, bet they wish they weren't dead though.
thuggswearuggs
I'm only comfortable with people walking on these sites so long as I know they appreciate the blood that was spilled for their freedom
jesusisherelookbusy
inthemorning
Wish I could say the same about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
NotSoMuch
It's amazing how much less bleak everything looks during peacetime.
markymarktwain
American soldiers fighting Germans on a beach in France. i'm sure they were fighting to make sure tourists had a vacation spot.
zeodas
probably most of those tourists are americans...
showmethatbutthole
agreed, but I don't know if I could just chill out on Omaha beach knowing how much blood was spilled there
berlinson
It's not called Omaha beach anymore. That's history for you..
showmethatbutthole
pretty sure "omaha" was just the code for the beach during the D-day landings
berlinson
Correct.
JQuentinEvermann
Pretty sure more than one thing has died in the very spot that you now imgur. Blood makes the grass grow. Kill. Kill. Kill.
ILoveTalkingAboutWeedWaitWhatWereWeTalkingAbout
Visit Oakland, you'll get over that fairly fast.
johnvictor
While walking over bodies and spent casings?
surroundedbystupid
I guess you have to know the history. And for those that don't, it's a distant fact of life. But you are right. Make the moment count.
yyyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssssss
That would inspire me to chill even harder!!
JoelFreeman
This is Europe mate, we wouldn't be able to go for a single picnic or day out if we tried avoiding battlefields that had massive casualties!
terbril
Perhaps the best way to honor their sacrifice is to live as well and as fully as one can, covering that beach with laughter instead of tears
throwaway6190
I like you.
mandarajp
id give you +100 if i could. but because its impossible, i leave you with +1 coming from the bottom of my heart
DoctorCatDog
Well put
carmen0302
This is beautiful
ProphetOfTheFirstClaw
laughter instead of slaughter
gabbykaulitz001
Well you can't have slaughter without laughter
TimTamFlimFlam
Oh my goodness... The spelling is so close for such different words...
DoctorCatDog
Relevant (and short): http://youtu.be/sry3jUybago
JustAGreyWizard
As the son and Grandson of Soldiers: I couldn't visit those places without crying. To know their brothers made the sacrifice there..
JustAGreyWizard
They were my father, the dad of my friends, the guy who fixed my bike, the guy who gave me a ride home in the Rain. I need to go there.
InternetFamousForAllTheRightReasons
I'm like 98% sure Hitler was ok with people going to the beach.
wetslut
Only if the beach was Judenfrei, and they wouldn't be allowed to just lie about, they'd have to be doing callisthenics. Strength Through Joy
AetherMcLoud
Hitler wasn't keen on recreation. At the age of 6 or 8 you were put into a pre-military "Hitlerjugend". Vacation was only for highranks.
datumerrata
Depends on your definition of 'people' Hitler had a somewhat narrow perspective on who should be considered.
Mediocreposter
My personal Hero of the day
Fredfinks
They wouldnt be there, so the point is moot. For citizens you could go to the lake or seaside and enjoy.
InternetFamousForAllTheRightReasons
Ya, http://imgur.com/r/gifs/BxrN3
kimadactyl
Yup https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prora #justcivilizationthings
odysseus
Dunno man, he was pretty fucked up. He used to piss on tomatoes and stuff. Something like that, anyway.
InternetFamousForAllTheRightReasons
Nah man that was his niece. Close tho: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexuality_of_Adolf_Hitler it has a legit source at the bottom
ImLukeSkywalkerImHereToRescueYou
half-niece, allegedly, haha.
mybrothersmario
For a long time we've been, marching off to battle In our thundering herd We feel a lot like cattle Like the pounding beat
matthevv9801
Aside from being super racist, Hitler was a normal guy. Actually a lot of normal people are super racist too.
Dreissen
If you feel that a multitude of psychological disorders are normal, then yeah, he was a perfectly normal guy.
thegrimtrigger
Nope. He was intensely fucked up. Starting sauce:
matthevv9801
You only want Hitler to have been fucked up in order to rationalize his deeds. The worst fear is that a normal human can do what he did.
thegrimtrigger
http://www.psychologyandsociety.org/__assets/__original/2012/01/Hyland_et_al.pdf