D-Day Diary 2014
A clear guide to events taking place in Normandy for the 70th Anniversary of D-Day in 2014.
The 2014 D-Day anniversary will be marked by a large number of commemorations and festivities including firework displays, parades, parachute drops, recreation of military camps, musical concerts and more. In addition to those described here, there are commemorative ceremonies and the laying of wreaths (“depot de gerbe”) in towns up and down the coast on 6th June.
June 2014: Special Events for D-Day 70th Anniversary
31 May – 9th June: Military Camp Reconstruction
Military camp and display of vehicles at Sainte-Marie-du-Mont: afternoons only.
Club du Souvenir Militaire – 02 33 71 56 54
31 May – 10th June: Reconstruction of Camp Méautis
Reconstruction of the “Bloody Gulch” camp at the Manoir de Donville
Click here for more information
1 – 8 June 2014, 9am to 7pm: Reconstruction of American Air Force Camp: Sainte-Mère-Eglise
Camp reconstruction representing the American airborne forces in Normandy.
Demonstration of equipment, vehicles and more than a hundred participants in period costume. Featuring a field hospital, communications post and a field cinema.
4th – 11th June: Military Vehicle Encampment at Hillman Bunker, Colleville-Montgomery
A large camp of WW2 military vehicles and the reconstruction of a WW2 field camp. Also chance to visit the restored Hillman bunker. Organised by the Friends of Suffolk Regiment.
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4th – 8th June: Parachute drops from DC-3/C47 aircraft, various sites
Memorial parachuting from a large number of Douglas DC-3/C47: the aircraft arrive directly from England under the “Dakotas over Normandy” programme.
- June 4 2014 at 14h in the area of Ouve Bridge, Carentan
- 5 and 6 June 2014 at 19:30 at the Museum of Utah Beach, Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
- 5 and 6 June 2014 at 22h at Foucarville Prison Camp
- 6 June 2014 behind the community hall of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont
- 7 June 2014 at 14h at the Hangar Site of Ecausseville
- 8 June 2014 at 9:30 am at Sainte-Mère-Eglise
More info: Round Canopy Parachuting Team Website
5th June: Coastal Fireworks: displays at 24 towns along the D-Day Landing Beaches
24 major firework displays synchronised between all the 24 mains sites of the D-Day Landings
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5th – 9th June: Concerts for Freedom: Caen, Sainte-Mère-Eglise, Sées, Lisieux, Cherbourg
A musical evening with the regional orchestra of Lower Normandy featuring 150 young musicians playing the Mass for Peace by Karl-William Jenkins; illustrated with images from the archives of Caen Memorial.
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6th – 8th June: Reconstruction of a British military camp: “Gold Beach Camp” at Ver-sur-Mer
Reconstruction of a British military camp by the “Gold Beach 60 Years On” Association. The re-enactors wear the uniforms of the Royal Navy, Army and Air Force. Regiments who landed on Gold Beach King will receive awards.
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6th June: IMAX film ‘D-Day Normandy 1944’: Zénith, Caen, Calvados
40 minute 3-D IMAX film on the D-Day Landings and the Battle of Normandy
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7th June: Procession of military vehicles: Grandcamp-Maisy & Isigny-sur-Mer, Calvados
Procession of Jeeps, Dodges, GMCs together with heavy equipment (14:00)
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7th June: Fireworks display: Sainte-Mère-Eglise, Manche
On the Place de l’Eglise
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7th – 9th June: Liberation Tattoo: Zénith, Caen
First military music festival bringing together 650 French, Belgian, Canadian, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, British, American and German musicians
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8th June: International Parachute Jump: La Fière, Sainte-Mère-Eglise, Manche
Major military and civilian parachute drops on this 1944 drop zone
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Further Exhibitions concerning D-Day 70th Anniversary 2014
Until October: ‘Leaving the War behind. From the Battle of Normandy through to Reconstruction’ exhibition: Calvados
Travelling exhibition visiting 14 towns, bringing together local inhabitants and those who lived through the war, plus lectures and various events
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Until October: ‘Cherbourg… and Freedom came from the Sea’: La Cité de la Mer, Cherbourg
Photo exhibition showing American troops in the days following the liberation of the port of Cherbourg
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Until December: ‘Grandma what was it like during the war?’ exhibition: Juno Beach Centre, Courseulles-sur-Mer
War-time experiences of Norman and Canadian civilians, mainly of children, from 1940 to 1944
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Until December: ‘100 objects from the 100 days of the Battle of Normandy’ exhibition: Caen Memorial
This exhibition recounts the conflict which led to the Liberation of Paris and Western Europe putting the emphasis on objects which are remarkable or previously unseen
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