#normandy beaches

D-Day (Operation Neptune) - On this 75th anniversary of the Allied Invasion of Normandy, I can easily envision the Twelfth Doctor taking Clara to those beaches to reminisce and to thank all of the soldier’s who gallantly gave their lives fighting for their country. It wasn’t an easy choice. But, as the Twelfth Doctor has said...

New Post has been published on https://kidsviral.info/it-was-once-the-scene-of-an-unimaginable-bloody-battle-but-wait-til-you-see-it-now/

It Was Once The Scene Of An Unimaginable, Bloody Battle. But Wait Til You See It Now.

June 6 will mark the seventy year anniversary of D-Day, when the Allied soldiers landed on the beaches of Normandy. That operation turned the tide against the Axis powers in World War II. Today, those beaches that were ravaged by war and such a crucial point in the battle are being used by tourists as a place to soak up the sun. They are such beautiful places, it’s hard to imagine what they looked liked on D-Day. This gallery by photographer Chris Helgren compares what those beaches looked like on that fateful day in history and what they look like today. The stark difference is shocking.

The 2nd Battalion US Army Rangers marching through Weymouth, who needed to capture Pointe du Hoc.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

Tourists walk along the beach-front at this port that was a departure point for thousands of Allied troops.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

US reinforcements land on Omaha beach, near Vierville sur Mer, France.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

Now, people can often be seen frolicking on this D-Day landing zone.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

A US landing craft was sunk off the coast and other troops are helping them to shore.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

A girl walks along that same stony beach, bucket in hand.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

US Army soldiers of the 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, move out over the seawall on Utah Beach.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

Now, the remains of that concrete wall is s place where children can play.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

A Cromwell tank leads British soldiers away from their landing point on Golden Beach.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

This historical site is now a place where couples can sunbathe.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

This US fighter jet crashed on Juno Beach, some time after Canadian forces came ashore.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

The shore is a popular hot spot for tourists.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

US troops make plans while hiding out at a farm near Utah Beach, surrounded by slain cattle.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

Farmer Raymond Bertot, who was 19 when allied troops came ashore in 1944, poses on the property.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

Troops gather near a captured German bunker on D-Day.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

Now, that bunker is a historical site that can be visited near Saint Laurent sur Mer, France.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

US Army reinforcements march up a hill after landing.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

You can hike up that same hill to see some beautiful history and views.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

A US flag lies as a marker on a destroyed bunker.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

These bunkers are popular places that tourists visit.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

Canadian troops patrol along the destroyed Rue Saint-Pierre after removing German forces.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

Now, this street is a popular shopping destination.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

A slain German soldier lies in the main square of Place Du Marche in Trevieres.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

This square is now a spot countless tourists walk through, right where many have fallen.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

US Army paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division drive a captured German vehicle.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

Girls cross the street at the junction of Rue Holgate and RN13, where that vehicle was.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

German prisoners-of-war march along Juno Beach.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

This woman is sunbathing where many German troops were captured.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

German prisoners of war captured after the D-Day landings are closely guarded by US soldiers.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

All that remains of that makeshift camp is farmlands.

Chris Helgren / Reuters

(H/T International Business Times) Seeing the difference between then and now is shocking. On this anniversary of D-Day in Normandy, remember this momentous, yet still tragic, day. There were approximately 12,000 casualties; 4,414 confirmed dead. This was the largest seaborne invasion in history. This operation began the invasion of German-occupied western Europe… it’s just incredible what these places look like today.

Great British Bake-Off viewers watched Paul the Baker (not Paul Hollywood the Bread) carve his fruit and veg (apples, kiwis, radishes) into swans and other fanciful creatures but this artist at Gavray made Paul the B look like a beginner. Pumpkin art is more than cutting a face into a big orange fruit.

“TheONSgaming.com Remembers Operation Overlord June 6th, 1944… We want to thank all of the soldiers that succeeded, that served our country and the Allied Nations in this war and may the soldiers that died in their duty in this battle and indeed all of World War II and any war; may you rest in peace.” Operation Overlord, D-Day, the Normandy Beaches they were so very important to the Allied plans…