Continuing Along Sword Beach
Monday, June 17, 2013
As you travel along the D-Day beaches, particularly along Sword, there really are monuments and memorials every few hundred meters, if not closer. Part of this has to do with the large number of small towns and villages that line what is now Sword Beach, and part to do with the intense fighting that took place that day.
The fighting took a toll on troops, buildings, and civilians in the area. Many of these memorials list all those killed in battle, which is a good thing in my book. Note the bunker just behind and to the right.
This was (is) a 50mm German anti-tank gun, and this particular one has a nasty history. As you can see, it was protected from direct fire from the sea by a very thick wall, yet it had clear shots up towards Juno and down along Sword. If my notes are correct, it is located in or near Luc-sur-Mer.
This particular gun took out the first tanks ashore in the area. It's fire was devastating.
In addition to sweeping the beaches, it was sited so that it could fire down the streets of the town at anything trying to swing around and come in behind. It did so, to great effect.
It was a tough nut to crack, but an assault by three tanks finally took the gun out that morning.
There are more, of course.
Tomorrow, we reach Courseulles-sur-Mer and Juno Beach proper. In addition, I will get to introduce you to what I think is the best museum on the beaches, bar none.
LW
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