A brief review of the Normandy trip, a more detailed review will appear in the Hatters magazine.

Our TOP SECRET orders were issued well in advance and on Wednesday 16th June the 8 participants on 6 bikes assembled at Knutsford services for the first part of the exercise, the road move to Portsmouth ferry terminal. Blue sky and a warm morning ( a first for a Hatters tour of Normandy I was told) as we left with Don and Maggie leading and Paul acting as tail gunner, the route being M6, M6toll, M42, M40, A34, M3 and M27. No real issues on the way down apart from loosing Ron and Paul on the M42 and being unable to stop the rest of the group continued on to Warwick services for a scheduled stop. Ron and Paul arrived shortly after us, Ron’s bike having cut out on lane 2 of the M42 with a fuel problem, one which would raise its head sporadically during the trip. We arrived at the ferry terminal, fully fuelled for the next day, in plenty of time for a meal and a few drinks but as we were to find out over the next few days, luck can play a big part in the success or failure of any operation. Our luck was about to change. Paul thought it best we found out about check in procedures before heading off for food and just as well we did, the ferry we were to get had been cancelled due to industrial action in Caen. Options- go home, get hotel then go home, get an alternative ferry. After a call to Matt Limb and a brief discussion the third option was taken, a later ferry to St. Malo was arranged but there were no cabins only recliner seats and the arrival time was 0830 hrs, which was the time we were due to start our battlefield tour, and we still would have 120 miles to ride to get to Caen.

Day 2 and after a crossing with not much sleep we arrive in St. Malo. The bikes were spread all over the garage decks so disembarkment took longer than expected. The revised plan was to ride directly to the Café Gondrée, rendezvous with Matt and decide what to do from there. On arrival, about two and a half hours later, Matt had arranged coffee and croissants and the next stage of the days action was discussed. We would not be able to complete the full day’s programme so we concentrated on the area around Pegasus Bridge. First we rode to Breville Ridge and had the actions of the 6th Airborne Division explained, then on to Ranville and the British cemetery and back to Pegasus Bridge to hear about assaults on the morning of D-Day to capture and secure the Bénouville and Ranville bridges by a glider borne unit of the 6th Airborne commanded by Major John Howard. After this it was back to the café for drinks and a photograph with Arlette Gondrée, who now runs Café Gondrée, and was a small child living in the home when it was liberated, then to the hotel in Caen to freshen up and get something to eat.

Day 3, meet in the car park opposite the hotel for a 0900hrs departure. Slightly overcast this morning and today’s itinery was to cover the British landings on Gold beach, the Mont Fleury battery and to trace the footsteps of CSM Stan Hollis, who received the only VC awarded on D-Day, from the beach to the battery. The sun was now breaking through as we headed for Arromanches and the site of the Mulberry harbour, used to supply the troops from Britain, and many of the concrete pontoons are still present today. There was the opportunity to visit the Musee du Debarquement which had an amazing moving model showing how the unit worked. From here it was to the German gun casements at Longues Sur Mere where we had lunch before moving on to Omaha beach, the landing beach for the1st and 29th US Divisions and where the most casualties were suffered. A walk on the beach, looking at the cliffs and German defenses, you could not imagine how the young soldiers must have felt on that morning of 6th June. Climbing the path from the beach we arrived at the US cemetery at Colleville Sur Mere with time to reflect on the operations of that day. Time now to head back to the hotel before making for a local restaurant for a meal and England v Algeria, at least the food was good.

Day 4, our last day on the battlefields and it’s raining. Meet in the car park, packed for home, at 0830 hrs for the 75 mile ride to Utah beach, landing beach for the 4th US Division, and inland around St. Mère-Église for the parts played by the 82nd US Airborne Div. (All American) and the 101st US Airborne Div. (Screaming Eagles). The weather had now changed for the better, brilliant sunshine. It was a bit of a stop/start day, from the beaches it was a short ride to the first key point of the day, the point where paratropers first met with soldiers from the beach landings, hence securing the first road inland. Next a monument dedicated to “E” Company of 101st Airborne at a field near Brecourt Manor where, although completely outnumbered, they captured a German battery (Band of Brothers). The church at Angoville au Plain and memorial to two 2nd Battalion 101st Airborne medics who worked, saving many lives, in the church. Two key bridges at Chef Du Pont and La Frière were visited, the second having a memorial park dedicated to the American Airborne troops. Finally it was to St. Mère-Église with time to visit the church and museum. We followed Matt back to the car park opposite our hotel and said our goodbyes, Matt had a 230 mile drive to Calais, we had a 10 minute ride to Ouistreham so enough time for a coffee before leaving for the ferry terminal. Fish and chips at a café near the terminal then check in for the crossing, we now had to sit and wait. Boarded the Mont st. Michel at 2200 hrs. and stuffed the bags in the cabins before heading for the bar. A much better crossing that the outbound, we would soon be back in the UK.

Day 5, back in Portsmouth and we all got off the ship together. The weather is still good for the journey home so, again with Don leading the way and Paul bringing up the rear we headed home the reverse of the outbound journey. Breakfast at Sutton Scotney services followed by a steady ride home, with a couple of short stops, until we reached Sandbach services where we were held up by an horendous accident.

For me, an amazing experience, a great group of people, 856 miles covered and far too much to take in in one visit, so it must be revisited.

Thanks to Don and Paul for their organisation of the trip and to Matt Limb OBE TD for the insight he gave into one of the biggest days in our recent history.

Photos to follow.

Ross