This is Juno Beach, one of the sites in Normandy where the D-Day landings took place in World War II, the largest seaborne landing in history. Today (June 6) is the 73rd anniversary of the massive invasion by Allied forces against the Nazis in northern France, code-named Operation Neptune. To walk on Juno Beach, as I did last fall, is to honour the more than 300 Canadianswho died here during the invasion, and to remember the more than 4,000 Allied soldiers from the U.S., the U.K., Australia, Belgium, Denmark and a dozen other countries who also fell that day along nearby beaches across the northern coast of France, all to preserve our freedom.
Wonderful post & very fitting for the occasion. Great photo too – so fascinating to see one of those famous beaches.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s very moving to see the beaches. It brings home the phenomenal risk the Allies took. No real cover on any beach, and German machine gun huts within close range all along the coast.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What you describe sounds very similar to my observations at Gallipoli in Turkey. It certainly brings home the reality of what the soldiers faced.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely post. Perfectly-timed, sorry I’m late.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Must have been a special feeling/awareness seeing this Normandy beach in it’s present state – now so peaceful – knowing so many died there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was very moving, yes. And beautiful at the same time.
LikeLiked by 1 person