D-DAY 65th
PROGRAM OF 65th ANNIVERSARY
Thursday 4 June
ANGOVILLE-AU-PLAIN :
11:00: WWII reenacted parachute jump from C-47 aircraft on the original Drop Zone "D"
Friday, 5 June
SAINT-COME-DU-MONT :
Opening three day outdoor exhibition at the D-Day Paratrooper Historical Center in the field at Dead Man’s Corner.
The 3rd Battalion of the 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division.
Airborne Medics.
Airborne War Correspondents & Special Motion Pictures Unit.
CARENTAN
21:30: Liberation Ball. Salle des Fetes at the Port of Carentan. Open to all, dancing to the Swing Dance Orchestra. Singers include Flash Back and Kelly Ann Sproult to give a true 1940's ambience. US Veterans attending.
Saturday 6 June
SAINT-COME-DU-MONT :
Opening three day outdoor exhibition at the D-Day Paratrooper Historical Center in the field at Dead Man’s Corner.
101 Airborne meeting and book release: "Tonight We Die As Men" and it’s companion DVD "The Forgotten Battalion", at Dead Man’s Corner Museum.
Bill Galbraith, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division.
Manny Barrios 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division.
Ralph Bennett, 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division (TBC).
Sunday 7 June
SAINT-COME-DU-MONT :
10:00: 500 Paratroops of the "BIA March" gather in the village for the ceremony to Joe Beyrle. Arrival of the veterans and Honor Guard.
15:15: Marchers arrive at "Dead Man’s Corner Museum" to form up for final phase.
15:45: Marchers move down Purple Heart Lane in formation to Carentan.
CARENTAN :
9:00: Depart of the BIA, Place du Grand Valnoble (registered participants only).
16:30: Recreation of the famous medal ceremony in the square at Carentan. Arrival of the veterans and Honor Guard. Followed by a short ceremony attended by town officials.
BROTHERS IN ARMS MARCH V
Road to Carentan
THE CHALLENGE
In the footsteps of the 101st Airborne Division
The 65th anniversary of D-Day is set to be a landmark year for the organizers of the BIA March. Our event in Saint-Côme-du-Mont on Sunday June 7th will begin with a moving and unforgettable ceremony to honour our special guest veterans. The three paratroopers (all from the 506th PIR) are making the special trip from the USA to be with us for the festivities. Our aim is to gather at least 500 re-enactors (in full paratrooper clothing and equipment) for this amazing and unique opportunity.
Rise to the challenge and join with us in welcoming these incredibly brave men who helped liberate Normandy - sixty-five years ago.
HIGHLIGHTS
"JUMPIN JOE"
Joe Beyrle is thought to be the one of only a handful of American soldiers to have served in both the United States Army and the Soviet Army in World War II...
Joe Beyrle is thought to be the one of only a handful of American soldiers to have served in both the United States Army and the Soviet Army in World War II...
"MANNY"
Flying into Normandy on D-Day, twenty-two year old Manny was on Joe Beyrle’s plane and landed in a garden on the eastern edge of Saint-Côme-du-Mont...
Flying into Normandy on D-Day, twenty-two year old Manny was on Joe Beyrle’s plane and landed in a garden on the eastern edge of Saint-Côme-du-Mont...
Sgt. Ralph BENNETT
As a 60mm mortar sergeant, Ralph Bennett’s job in Normandy was to provide direct fire support to 3rd platoon H Company
As a 60mm mortar sergeant, Ralph Bennett’s job in Normandy was to provide direct fire support to 3rd platoon H Company
"BILL"
Machine gunner Bill Galbraith landed on the southwestern edge of drop zone D and begrudgingly joined with the 501 for the attack on the La Barquette locks...
Machine gunner Bill Galbraith landed on the southwestern edge of drop zone D and begrudgingly joined with the 501 for the attack on the La Barquette locks...
The 3rd Battalion of the 506th PIR, 101st Airborne Division
D-Day, the 3rd battalion of the 506th PIR jumped over Saint-Côme-du-Mont...
D-Day, the 3rd battalion of the 506th PIR jumped over Saint-Côme-du-Mont...
Airborne Medics
Organic airborne medical units supported the 101st Airborne Divisions during World War II...
Organic airborne medical units supported the 101st Airborne Divisions during World War II...
Airborne War Correspondents & Special Motion Pictures Unit
In June 1944, The Special Motion Picture Unit operated from its base camp in Carentan - conveniently situated between Utah and Omaha beaches...
In June 1944, The Special Motion Picture Unit operated from its base camp in Carentan - conveniently situated between Utah and Omaha beaches...
