Today as well as being Queensland Day is the anniversary of the D-Day landings, the day in 1944 when allied forces commenced landing on the beaches of Normandy, France.
The operation was the largest amphibious invasion the world had ever seen, more than 160,000 allied troops landed on the 6th June 1944. Approximately 3,000 Aussie troops were involved. The ensuing Battle of Normandy killed thousands of civilians and troops, nearby villages and towns were reduced to rubble. Within a week of the end of this battle, Paris was liberated.
When in Paris, I did a battlefield tour with my son. Our group was small, just 8 people. Our guide collected us early one morning from our Paris hotel for the 3.5 hour drive to Normandy. During the drive, our guide shared his considerable knowledge about the battle and answered all our questions.
Highlights were inspecting bunkers, walking on Omaha beach, clambering up the bomb craters now covered in spongy grass and visiting the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial.
If war history is of interest to you and you have a spare day when in Paris or nearby, a trip to Normandy is certainly a very informative day and time to reflect on the sacrifices so many have made.
