The Normandy coastline is littered with memorials to the D-Day landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944. One of them is Sainte-Mere-Eglise, where American paratroopers landed early in the morning. One of the paratroopers, John Steele, is particularly memorable because he got stuck in the village's church tower ...
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Sainte-Mère-Église is a small town in the Manche department in Normandy, France. We drove here after our visit to Arromanches-les-Bainswhere we learnt a lot about the Normandy landings in 1944. The drive from Arromaches to Sainte-Mere-Eglise was less than an hour.
Historical memories of the Normandy invasion
The small town of Sainte-Mère-Église thrives on memories of its part in the Normandy invasion. In the early morning hours of 6 June 1944, paratroopers from the 82nd and 101st Parachute Divisions landed to take over Sainte-Mère-Église, which was also the first village to be liberated.
The paratroopers suffered heavy losses during the operation. For example, some landed in burning buildings and were unable to get out. If you want to learn more about these historical events, there are several small museums that you can visit. We focused on checking out the paratrooper in the church tower.
Paratrooper John Steele
One of the most memorable events was when paratrooper John Steel got his parachute stuck in the village church tower. From his exposed position, he could only watch the fighting going on below him. John was wounded in the foot and played dead for several hours. Eventually he was captured by the German soldiers.
According to history, he later managed to escape and join his own troops. He survived the war, against all odds, and today hangs as a statue in his parachute in the steeple of Sainte Mére Église.
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Åsa says:
What a fate! Have you got everything fixed now? / Åsa
09 December 2014 - 20:28
Ditte says:
There is a lot of history in these parts! And it's exciting to be there. And isn't this a slightly different monument?
09 December 2014 - 21:44
admin says:
Åsa, there were probably many fates that day... Yes, we have finally got everything organised! Have written about it now...
Ditte, yes a lot of history and definitely different. At least he was remembered!
09 December 2014 - 22:36