Utah beach, the most westerly of the five beaches, was attacked by the US 4th Infantry Division. By mistake the landings all took place on the southern part of the beach which happened to be less well defended. Airborne troops landed through the night to secure the invasion’s western flank and to open the roads for their colleagues landing by sea at dawn. The objective was to cut the Cotentin Peninsula in two, and take Cherbourg.
35. Dead Man’s Corner Museum, Saint Come du Mont
At the point where the 101st Airborne Division encountered the Green Devils (the German paratroopers) you can get an insight into the battle for Carentan on the site which has remained largely intact.
2 Village de l'Amont - 50500 Saint Come du Mont, Tel./Fax 02 33 42 00 42
36. Musée Airborne (Airborne Museum), Sainte-Mère-Eglise
The story of D-Day is told in pictures and mementos of the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. On display is a Douglas C47, a Waco glider, a Sherman tank, several artillery pieces, vehicles, equipment, many small arms, uniforms and historic objects. Movie. One of the best D-Day museums to stike a balance between an extensive collection of artifacts together with explanations and context.
14 rue Eisenhower - 50480 Sainte-Mère-Église, Tel. 02 33 41 41 35 (£2.85),
37. Ste-Mère-Eglise
Ste-Mère-Eglise, is perhaps the most famous “D-day village” of all. Street panels around Ste-Mère-Eglise explain the operations of the US paratroopers. In the square, a parachute effigy still dangles from the church, commemorating what happened to John Steele when his parachute snagged on the spire. Inside the church is a stained-glass window featuring the Virgin and child, surrounded by paratroopers. Monuments in the area include the 82nd Airborne plate, 505th Parachute regiment stele, and Sainte-Mère-Église liberators stele.
Utah Beach
38. Musée du Débarquement (Utah Beach Landing Museum)
Located opposite the beach on the Utah site, this museum uses film, documents and models to recall D-Day in a unique and innovative manner. Several armored vehicles, equipment and a landing ship are on display. As of April 2011, this museum was undergoing an extensive long-term renovation and was not open.
Utah Beach - 50480 Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, Tel. 02 33 71 53 35 (£2.70)
39. Monuments located by the Utah Beach Museum include: American soldier’s monument, 4th Infantry Division monument, 90th Infantry Division monument, VIIth Corps headquarter plaque, Coast Guard plaque and US Navy plaque.
40. Batterie d’Azeville (Azeville Battery), Azeville
Located near Sainte-Mère-Eglise, the Azeville Battery consisted of a dozen casemates, including four blockhouses with 105 mm heavy guns, 350m of underground tunnels, underground rooms and ammunition storages. The position was held by 170 German gunners. Guided tours of the Azeville battery offers insight into the German coastal defences and the battle that took place here.
La Rue - 50310 Azeville, Tel. 02 33 40 63 05
41. Musée de la Batteries de Crisberg (Crisbeq Gun Battery Museum), Saint Marcouf
The Crisbeq Gun Battery was one of the largest German coastal artillery batteries located on Utah Beach. There are 21 blockhouses linked by more than 1km of trenches and restored recreation rooms, hospital and kitchens.
Route des Manoirs - 50310 Saint-Marcouf, Tel. 06 86 10 80 59
42. Memorial de la Liberte Retrouvee (Freedom museum), Quinéville
This museum recalls the French peoples daily life during the German occupation until the liberation.
18 avenue de la Plage - 50310 Quinéville, Tel. /Fax 02 33 95 95 95
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about D-Day beaches
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in D-Day beaches - updated Apr 2024
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D-Day beaches Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
