PalenQ

It is also where Hollywood tried to claim the invasion as an American only success>

Yes most here think it was only Americans who invaded and gave supreme sacrifice whereas British and Empire like Canada were just as involved. Americans want to go to Omaha Beach and see American military cemetery and Americans won WW 2 in Europe all by ourselves when in fact Brits and Empire and especially Soviets were instrumental in liberating Europe. without Soviets on Easter Front no invasion of Continent would have been successful many historians say. Great point.

HappyTrvlr

We enjoyed seeing the Canadian and Beitish D Day beaches and museums too. The British story of the invasion is incredible with rhe building of tneir artificial port. It would be a shame to miss these beaches.

Sue81

Yes, without the diversion of the German Army to Russia, it would have been a very differrent result for England and much of Europe. The artificial port was amazing to see with so much still visible.. I like your comment about de Gaule Bilbo. funny. Holes in beach lady.

hetismij2

If you are feeling energetic I can recommend this: Normandy Hills Rail Bike - Normandy Tourism, France

You really can't go wrong in Normandy, it is beautiful, with lovely walks, delightful villages, half timbered houses, hills, coast, cider makers to visit, and a ton of history.

bilboburgler

I noted my error from above sorry

one an American German general was demoted while Charles de Gaule kept his job as there was no one able to demote him, it is fair to say his hatred for the English came from the reprimand he received after that faux-pas.

Thanks to Sue for getting me to reread it

PalenQ

Strange they let DeGaulle become the liberator or Paris or at least enter the city that had been formally liberated the day before as a hero even though like bilbo says he was a nothing and a bother during the war in London.

Underhill

For more information on de Gaulle and his interaction with a number of other important figures during WWII, read "Lat Hope Island." It's an excellent account of the various heads of states who had to flee their own countries during WWII and ended up in England. I learned that de Gaulle had a disabled child and that he was thoroughly disliked by most of the others.

TDudette

I saw the Bayeux tapestry in 2016. I believe it had "lived" in the now empty Cathedral. It shows the Battle of Hastings that was fought in 1066 in stitchery. I don't recall if "they" know when it was completed. It is approximately 230 feet long. If you all are interested in history and fabrics, I recco it.

Have a super trip.

kja

The cathedral of Bayeux is not empty!

My understanding is that the tapestry (which is actually, as noted above, an embroidered work) began as a decoration within the cathedral and then, as fashion changed, it was taken down, stored there, used for various and sundry purposes, and even cut up. It is now housed nearby, in a building that didn’t seem to me at all like a church / cathedral, but I'll let others make their own decision.

TDudette

Is the cathedral still in use then, kja?

StCirq

The cathédrale is still a working cathedral, as far as I know. The Church doesn't normally retire its cathedrals or its bishoprics.

Here's an interesting article about the upcoming "loan" of the tapestry to Great Britain:


https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-...ly-meanspestry to Great Britain:

PalenQ

Of course the cathedral is still around and in use - like any larger regional city would be. Can't think of one French cathedral not in use.

kja

So far as I know! It was still still a functioning cathedral when I was there in 2011, and although I'm not catholic, a google search shows that there are masses every Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

apersuader65

I don't seem to recall many Pinewood studios films that glorified either Russian involvement, or American involvement for that matter. You'd think that Winston Churchill was the only leader involved if you watch movies coming out of Pinewood.

Sue81

OK, if you want to get a British perspective of WW II, and the build up to the Normandy invasion i would recommend The Last Lion, by William Manchester. Chock full of info on this period and not just England, about Winston Churchill.

TDudette

Thanks, kja and all re the Cathedral. Not sure why I thought it was not in use.

"Of course the cathedral is still around and in use - like any larger regional city would be."....DH and I encountered 2 unconsecrated churches in Italy, Pal. Your 'Of course' hurt my little feelings.