Thursday 29 June 2017

Thursday's History lesson!

WOW what a morning... we have been spoilt rotten by 'Dan-the man'... the son of Gary Sterne. He has told the children some amazing stories about the Battery, the men who fought here and the veterans who have returned. A fantastic opportunity... as staff we cannot recommend this place enough- and everyone should visit!!!!

A little HISTORY lesson! 
The battle at Maisy was strategically important during the D-day landings.  It was a battle which helped secure the foothold gained by the landings.

To quote the Top Secret British Cabinet meeting of July 1944… “Maisy was the only gun battery still offering resistance to the invasion and it was still firing at us on the 9th of June.”

It was the US Army Rangers job to stop that firing and they did so under fire and under extreme conditions. There was a 5 hour battle… smoke, bullets and explosions and devastation everywhere. Rangers were wounded but their bravery and the mission they undertook had never been discussed before – until the site was re-opened.

But re-open it did. The opening in 2006 was welcomed by the local towns people of Grandcamp and Maisy. It was attended by a large number of French, American and German dignatories.

Not to mention the return to Normandy for the ceremony of 3 WWII Ranger veterans. Jack Burke, James Gabaree and Daniel Farley…. all men from A Company of the 5th Ranger Infantry Battalion – who landed at Omaha Beach on the 6th of June 1944.

The opening of the site in 2006 was welcomed by the local towns people of Grandcamp and Maisy. It was attended by a large number of French, American and German dignitaries. Not to mention the return to Normandy for the ceremony of 3 WWII Ranger veterans – Jack Burke, James Gabaree and Daniel Farley…. all men from A Company 5th Rangers who landed on Omaha Beach on the 6th of June 1944.