Leave St-Mère-Eglise and head west, on the D15 (Picauville/Etienville). Pass under the N13, at the Y-junction keep right. After about three kilometers is the bridge of la Fière, that crosses the river Merderet. Park your vehicle right at the parking. This is the spot of the memorial for the paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division.

His eyes focused on the horizon for enemy troops, stares a bronze paratrooper (Iron Mike) into the green valley. On this same spot, around 500 para's assembled around midday of June 6, 1944. There was a constant heavy fighting between the Germans and members of the 505th en 507th PIR. But not a single German could penetrate their lines. General Gavin, the Assistant Divisional Commander, (his manhole is situated on the D15, a hundred yards back around the bend. You just passed it) took 75 men and headed for the a bridge a few kilometers south, near Chef-du-Pont. But the small unit was stopped by heavy opposition (more on that bridge when we continue the tour).

Cross the Merderet en head west on the D15. After a kilometer at the Y-junction, go right to Helpiquets. On the right you'll find the monument for the drop of the para's of the 507th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division. The 507th PRI landed close to her objective, but over a long distance, 50 kilometers between north and south! Just to the north of here the 508th PIR landed over a distance of 'just' 9 kilometers. The Germans had flooded the region and some of the para's drowned before they could start a fight.

Return to the D15. At the Y-crossing, turn right. After a kilometre you come across a notice board on the right side of the road.

Troopers of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment were deployed to reinforce the para’s at the river Merderet. At this point where you are standing, the first Medal of Honor of the Second World War was won by a paratrooper of the 82nd Airborne on June 9, 1944. Pfc. Charles N. DeGlopper, 325th GIR, Company C exposed himself with his huge appearance against a fierce German opposition, so his comrades could reposition themselves to the bridge at la Fière.

During a patrol in the morning, his platoon was cut off, and they were held under German machinegun fire. DeGlopper was already wounded when he decided that he had to do something. So, he took up his BAR and opened fire at the Germans. The other members of his platoon escaped through a hole in a hedge. DeGlopper was hit several times but stood his ground and managed to take out a couple of Germans. But it was an uneven battle, and DeGlopper was killed in a hail of bullets. Sometime later, his comrades found him amidst many spent cartridges, weapons and dead Germans.

You may continue towards Etienville/Pont L'Abbé and the D70 to Chef-du-Pont, or take a left a kilometre further from this spot, at Caponnet towards Le Feirage and take the D70 left to Chef-du-Pont. If you decide to take the last option, watch out for a blue sign, on a farmhouse, with the text, 'Hill 30'.

A Group of para’s of the 508th PIR had the task to capture the bridge across the River Douve at Pont l'Abbe. But a German battalion near this town had other plans than simply hand it over. The opposition was large in numbers, and the para’s decided to pull back. But the way back was blocked, so they took shelter in a farmhouse on top of a small bulge (Hill 30). The Germans, units of the 91ste Division and the 1057. Regiment, made the next days several attacks on the farm. But the para’s under command of Lt. Col Thomas J.B.Shanley, held their ground. Because of their stand, it was also of great importance to the later victory in this area.

Just before you enter Chef-du-Pont, stop on the right when you crossed the bridge 'Pont du Capitaine Creek'.

The fighting for this bridge was also a heavy one. This was mainly fought between men of the 507th PIR, 82nd Airborne and the Germans. Generaal Ridgeway, de divisional commander, arrived at the bridge la Fiére and ordered more troops to that bridge. Because of that, only a platoon was left for defense at this bridge where you are now. By some luck, a glider with an anti-tank cannon landed nearby. Captain Roy Creek used this weapon with success to stop the advancing Germans.

The bridge bares the name of Captain Creek, who, with the aid of two company's of the 508th PIR, held the bridge with a small group of men. The men of 508ste, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Shanley, were dug in on Hill 30, a few kilometers to the northeast of here. Despite of heavy opposition of the German 91st Division and the 1057de Regiment, they held the German attack at bay, so the bridge was somewhat relieved. Because of their assistants they have also a commemorative stone at this bridge.

There is a lot to visit in the area of Utah Beach. The points mentioned above brings you to the most important sides. But there is much more to visit, like the Musée de la Liberté in Quiéville. This museum shows how the people of Normandy lived during the occupation. There are no weapons in this museum, but it is nevertheless very interesting. This sector, Utah Beach, is peppered with monuments, big and small, on every corner suspect a monument, like a marker for a former airfield, like the Advanced Landing Ground A16 near Brucheville. Or a road named after a killed soldier, like the one pictured below in Le Grand Vey.

(l) Monument for ALG A16 near Brucheville,(r) a road in Le Grand Vey

If your planning some visites to museums, buy yourself a Normandy Pass. You buy one ticket for the full amount and a Pass for just one Euro. Most museums in Normandy give you a nice reduction, running from 30 Eurocent (Musée Mémorial d'Omaha Beach) to 2 Euro (Musée Radar and Mémorial de Caen)