Preserving the Memories of D-Day
2019 marks the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, which took place on June 6, 1944, with over 160,000 soldiers landing on the beaches of Normandy and are understood to be a key moment in World War II, leading to the eventual victory for Allied forces. In the weeks leading up to the anniversary, I visited a selection of museums and significant locations to photograph some of the people who work to preserve the artefacts and documents from World War II for future generations.
Chloe Evano, a visitor host, poses for a photograph with the French 130mm "Chacal" cannon at the Musee de la Batterie de Crisbecq, in Marcouf, on May 6, 2019. A history graduate, Chloe fell in love with military history at a young age and moved to the area to follow her passion. Outside of her role as a guide for the thousands of tourists and historians that visit the former German gun emplacement, she takes part in World War II re-enactments in the role of a member of the German air force, the Luftwaffe. Purchased privately in 2004, the Musee de la Batterie de Crisbecq is a complex of twenty two bunkers used by German forces to defend the French coast from Allied invasion. Over the course of the D-Day invasion and Operation Neptune, the area was successfully taken by US forces, despite fierce opposition and incoming artillery fire from a German position in Azzeville, three kilometres away.
Francois Oxeant, a historian, guide and curator, poses for a photograph with figures dressed in the military uniforms of a C-47 air crew at the D-Day Experience in Saint-Come-Du-Mont, France, on May 7, 2019. After gaining a Masters degree in World War II history, Francois became a tour guide before securing his position with the museum, nearly two years ago. After researching his family tree, Francois discovered a number of his family died during World War II, including one relative who was killed by German soldiers after working with the French Resistance in the build-up to D-Day. The museum first opened in 2005 as “Dead Man’s Corner”, named after the nickname the location earned during the Normandy landings due to the body of a fallen US serviceman being left hanging from his destroyed vehicle for days after being attacked. The museum greatly increased in size in 2015 with the inclusion of a flight simulator, many more personal items and will soon also feature a large-scale cinema.
Rodrigo Passannanti, who served in the Italian Navy during his National Service, poses for a photograph with the 6” guns of “A Turret” on the forecastle of HMS Belfast as it lays in it’s berth near Tower Bridge on the River Thames, in London, England on May 21, 2019. Rodrigo began work on HMS Belfast 15 years ago and now holds the position of Leading Yeoman, a job which involves overseeing the visitor service teams as they guide the school trips, tourists and visitors to the ship. NFollowing his Father into the Navy, Rodrigo used to walk past HMS Belfast and wish that he could play a part in it’s story and was overjoyed to gain the opportunity when a position arose aboard the historic Town-class light cruiser. One of only three surviving bombardment vessels from the D-Day operation, HMS Belfast was assigned the task of protecting the landing forces at Gold and Juno beaches. Originally, HMS Belfast was set to be the first ship to fire on enemy positions but due to a loss of communication, was the second to begin its barrage, focusing on the German gun battery at La Marefontaine. The Normandy campaign was the final occasion that the ship fired, during World War II.
Site Foreman Peter Halkyard poses for a photograph beneath LCT7074, the last World War II landing craft designed for carrying tanks which survives in the UK, in Portsmouth, England on May 9, 2019. LCT7074 took part in the D-Day landings along with over 800 similar craft, carrying ten tanks to the Normandy beaches. Surviving the war, the craft went onto become a floating nightclub in Liverpool before sinking. Thanks to the National Memorial Heritage Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, LCT7074 is now in a dry dock, being restored to it's original condition before moving to it's permanent home at the "D-Day Story" Museum in Portsmouth in 2010. A crowdfunding campaign is currently attempting to raise the final amount needed to see the restoration reach completion.
Nicolas Leloup, the Museum President, poses for a photograph with figures representing the first wave of soldiers landing on Omaha Beach from the 1st Infantry “Big Red One” and 29th Infantry, at the Overlord Museum, in Colleville-Sur-Mer, France on May 8, 2019. Inheriting the museum from his father, Michel, after his death in 2011, Nicolas was left with the decision of whether to hold an auction to sell the lifelong collection which his Father had gathered, or take on the responsibility of the operation. After reaching the conclusion that the items needed to be retained for the people of Normandy, he chose to develop the museum, a plan which is still ongoing with a new wing opening in time for the D-Day 75th anniversary events. Balancing his regular work in facility development for a confectionary company, Nicolas visits the museum at weekends and holidays to ensure that the site is respecting his Father’s vision.
Neville “Pincher” Martin, a former member of the Royal Navy, poses for a photograph with the P2 4” guns onboard HMS Belfast as it lays in it’s berth near Tower Bridge on the River Thames, in London, England on May 21, 2019. Neville began work on HMS Belfast 36 years ago and has worked his way through the positions onboard from the Bosun’s party through to working full-time on the restoration and preservation of the structure and features. Nearing completion after over a years work, the P2 guns are just one of many projects which he will complete to maintain the historic Town-class light cruiser. One of only three surviving bombardment vessels from the D-Day operation, HMS Belfast was assigned the task of protecting the landing forces at Gold and Juno beaches. Originally, HMS Belfast was set to be the first ship to fire on enemy positions but due to a loss of communication, was the second to begin its barrage, focusing on the German gun battery at La Marefontaine. The Normandy campaign was the final occasion that the ship fired, during World War II.
Apprentice welder Leon Norris (L) looks on as Site Foreman Peter Halkyard removes a recently-fitted pillar from LCT7074, the last World War II landing craft designed for carrying tanks which survives in the UK, in Portsmouth, England on May 9, 2019. LCT7074 took part in the D-Day landings along with over 800 similar craft, carrying ten tanks to the Normandy beaches. Surviving the war, the craft went onto become a floating nightclub in Liverpool before sinking. Thanks to the National Memorial Heritage Fund and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, LCT7074 is now in a dry dock, being restored to it's original condition before moving to it's permanent home at the "D-Day Story" Museum in Portsmouth in 2010. A crowdfunding campaign is currently attempting to raise the final amount needed to see the restoration reach completion.
Regimental Secretary Colonel Jeremy Green poses for a photograph in front of the large-scale map which was used by the Allied Forces to plan the invasion of France and the D-Day operation at Southwick House, in Southwick, England on May 9, 2019. Colonel Green has become an authority on the history of Southwick House and it's importance in the D-Day story, having worked on associated events since the 50th anniversary in 1994. In the days leading up to D-Day and the invasion of mainland Europe by the Allied forces, Southwick House became the temporary headquarters, with US General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Supreme Allied Commander, and General Sir Bernard Montgomery, commander of the Allied ground forces, meeting here to discuss exactly which date to mount the operation. The decision to delay the landings by 24 hours was made here following warnings of severe weather potentially leading to failure.
Will McLeish, a former builder, poses for a photograph with the P2 4” guns onboard HMS Belfast as it lays in it’s berth near Tower Bridge on the River Thames, in London, England on May 21, 2019. Will began work on HMS Belfast 10 years ago and savours the variety of challenges that working onboard presents. Nearing completion after over a years work, the P2 guns are just one of many projects which he will complete to maintain the historic Town-class light cruiser. One of only three surviving bombardment vessels from the D-Day operation, HMS Belfast was assigned the task of protecting the landing forces at Gold and Juno beaches. Originally, HMS Belfast was set to be the first ship to fire on enemy positions but due to a loss of communication, was the second to begin its barrage, focusing on the German gun battery at La Marefontaine. The Normandy campaign was the final occasion that the ship fired, during World War II.
Marie Hoguet, a tour guide, poses between a German PAK40 anti-tank gun and a DUKW (duck) amphibious vehicle, at the Utah Beach Museum, in Saint-Marie-Du-Mont, France on May 6, 2019. Marie moved to the area due to her love of military history and passion for collecting artifacts from World War II. A guide at the museum since 2011, she savours the opportunity to share the history with visitors who come to the landing point from all over the world. Opening in 1962, the museum is situated on the beach where US soldiers landed during the D-Day operation.
Many thanks to the owners and staff at the Utah Beach Museum, the Crisbecq Battery, the Overlord Museum, the D-Day Experience, the Juno Beach Museum, Southwick House, the D-Day Story and HMS Belfast. More images are available through Getty Images.