D-Day Then and Now

On the morning of the 6^th of June 1944 the allied forces approach the white beaches of Normandy, in the initiatory phases of one of the most decisive and significant battles of WWII. In this picture we see a landing boat full of men and boys approaching the very battle that will likely claim many of their lives. In viewing this picture, one cannot help but wonder if these men had any idea of the carnage and terror they were about to face and the heroics and victory their side was about to achieve. Over 10,000 men of the allied forces like these men here suffered wounds and death. However, this beach would not be bloodied forever. Below are pictures of the different historic sites along the beach where the battle took place. To show the improvement this beach has made since the war, there are present day pictures of those spots also attached. Photographs provided by Reuters photographer, Chris Helgren.

 This first picture was taken on June 5, 1944 when the armies were getting ready to leave on their voyage to take over the Omaha Beach in Normandy. Below is the same spot used for departure, now used as a beach front tourist location.

On June 6, 1944 the U.S. reinforcements landed on the Omaha beach ready for the D-day attack. Nowadays, people enjoy this same location as a place to get sun and have fun.

In this picture, members of one of the American landing parties assisted troops whose ships were shot and sunk by the enemy coming into the Omaho beach territory. Tourists now enjoy this spot, as you can see this girl is carrying a bucket and shovel to her child on the D-day landing zone.

The soldiers of the 8^th infantry Regiment, 4^th Infantry Division moved out of their positions at sea to a concrete wall that is near La Madeleine, France. Below that, children walk over and play on the remainders of that concrete wall.

Next is a crashed US fighter plane that was found when the Canadian forces came onto the shore of the Juno beach. This same beach is now used as a popular tourist attraction.

On June 7, 1944 the U.S. forces join around a signal post used by the engineers on the site of a captured German bunker. This was located right by the Omaha Beach. The German bunker still remains there as a historic tourist site, still overlooking Omaha Beach.

In this picture, Canadian troops patrol all along the streets of the destroyed Rue Saint-Pierre. This street has now been rebuilt as you can see in the picture below, many shoppers are walking down the street.

This picture took place on August 21, 1944 when the German prisoners of war were captured and guarded by the U.S. troops. Today, a farm field takes place of this spot where all of these soldiers were held.