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La Merveille, Gun Battery, D-Day, Normandy - Here are the second of some photos from Normandy... I took these at La Merveille Gun Battery, which was at the far east, just past the Orne, of the invasion area. The British under Lt. Col. Otway parachuted near here in the middle of the night and then stormed the position, taking very heavy casualties. Of the 750 or so who parachuted, only about 150 were able to group to make the attack. Of the 150, only half or so ended the morning not wounded or killed. It's very moving. The guns are gone, but it's still incredible.
I got there very early in the morning, as you can tell from the first photo. The rest of the photos have been overexposed somewhat to make it seem later.
Narayan
Left: The adjacent village of Merveille, seen from the top of the second bunker, with the early morning sun rising through the winter clouds.
Right: The first bunker from the top of the second one.
Left: The second and third bunkers. The guns have long been removed from all of the bunkers.
Right: Detail of the second bunker. Note the observation area at the top.
Left: A British 5" (?) gun. Normandy has many such guns, tanks, etc., added by conservationists well after the battle. But they help to tell the story. Of course, the valiant British paratroopers didn't jump with this gun or use it for the assault.
Right: Bust of Lt. Col. Otway.
Left: Rear-entrance of the first bunker. It's a museum today, though that was closed since it was so early and possibly because of the season.