View Full Version : Dieppe, Deauville, Normandy, Jersey
Pitts2112
8th Sep 2006, 17:11
Hello, everyone!
Looking for any hints or cool things that you've done in and around any of the above destinations. I and a couple of mates will be overnighting in Deauville for a couple of days (after a fuel/lunch stop at Dieppe), then pressing on to Jersey for a couple more, via an overflight of the Normandy D-Day beaches. Any hints on what's particularly worth seeing over Normandy?
What would you reccomend as good flying destinations for short trips from Deauville?
Pitts2112
Flap40
8th Sep 2006, 18:28
Any hints on what's particularly worth seeing over Normandy?
Pitts2112
If you mean from the air then might I suggest 49 23.67N 0 59.57W
I'm working from memory and the co-ords might be +/- 5nm along the coast but in that area is a headland which still bears the scars of (very) heavy bombardment 62 years after D day. Ther is not much to see from the air along the rest of the Beaches except for the Mullberry Harbour at Arromanches although the latest French chart does not show it but it did feature on the 2002 chart. Also, further west at St Mere-Eglise there used to be a dummy paratrooper strung up on the church (as featured in "The longest day"!)
1d2d3d4d
8th Sep 2006, 18:52
Hi,
I have not seen it from the air but Pegasus bridge might be worth a look see. The landing site for the three gliders is about 100 yrds south on the eastern bank of the ship canal. I was impresed seeing it from the ground, even though some people say you can get in any where once!
Regards Chris
I'm working from memory and the co-ords might be +/- 5nm along the coast but in that area is a headland which still bears the scars of (very) heavy bombardment 62 years after D day.
That'll be Pointe du Hoc (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pointe_du_Hoc). An amazing story, and where a lot of US Rangers fell trying to take an emplacement from the beach by ladders borrowed from the London Fire Brigade. When the finally got to the top after very heavy losses, they found that the guns weren't there. They were discovered days later stored several miles inland. :(
Later - my memory was at fault - the losses mainly occurred after the assault, trying to hold the site with no relief.
stickandrudderman
9th Sep 2006, 07:28
A visit to that area and especially the military cemetaries is one of those "must do before you die" things. Bring your handkerchief!
To stand on the cliff tops amongst the remains of the German gun implacements is a humbling experience.
So you though you'd set yourself some challenges in life did you?
stiknruda
9th Sep 2006, 08:13
A couple of mates? Last time I looked there were nine Pitts Specials going on the third Pitts Artists annual jamboree!
I think an R&B at Caen-Carpiquet should be on the agenda!
Can't wait!
Red ex-leader!
Pitts2112
9th Sep 2006, 08:51
A couple of mates? Last time I looked there were nine Pitts Specials going on the third Pitts Artists annual jamboree!
I think an R&B at Caen-Carpiquet should be on the agenda!
Can't wait!
Red ex-leader!
Well, so much for trying to play it low-key! :-)
This is going to be a blast!
Pitts2112
Red Ops Planning
pythagoras
10th Sep 2006, 18:02
Rouen is nice - good airport and a nice city