The view of the Western Headland and bunker at Port en Bessin - approximately 7 mile north of Bayeaux.
The Rue du Phare in Port en Bessin, leading to the western headland and bunker.
Nearly to the top, the view of the inner breakwater and harbour.
The narrow path to the bunker lies along side a golf course.
The small memorial garden with views over the English Channel or La Manche - Port en Bessin is now popular with yachtsmen who cross the channel to visit and shop.
Bronzed brass plaque acknowledging the work of Professor John Forfar MC RAMC - medic on the mission to capture Port en Bessin - in recording the events which were critical to the allied invasion.
The Badge of 47 Royal Marine Commando - differs slightly from the modern 45 Commando badge, and bears the two commando daggers. Hitler had ordered that all captured commandos were to be executed.
The memorial garden at Port en Bessin was funded by Malcolm Ross, and designed by Clifford Kingstone.
These visitors were from Germany - pausing to reflect on the sacrifices made by their countrymen - testament to the failure of politicians in times past.
The interpreation memorial, which describes the events which took place on 7th June 1944.
The eastern headland and it's bunker seen from on top of the western feature.
A map shows the positions occupied on the 7th June.
Inside the bunker, the view seen by the defenders.
In the distance, the "mulberry harbours" at Arromanches, where men and vehicles were brought ashore against all odds.
The stone plinth and plaque acknowledging the sacrifice of Captain Cousins, killed by a grenade while storming a German machine gun bunker. He and his colleagues had already crossed land known to be mined.
Picture of Captain Cousins Memorial unveiling, June 7th 2009, courtesy of the Royal Marines
Just a couple of miles away, the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach - as seen in the film "Saving Private Ryan".
Row upon row, upon row of graves - many soldiers of college age.
The map of the landings in Normandy - part of the Omaha memorial.
The Memorial Garden at Port en Bessin, Normandy constructed in memory of the men of 47 Commando. Photograph contributed by Major Bob Perry - pictured here in June 2009
A WWII German bunker on the Eastern headland of Port en Bessin, France.
The memorial is to Captain Cousins of the 47th Commando - killed while storming the bunker
Just Captain Cousins and four men rushed the position - he lost his life just as they reached the bunker to a grenade.
From the bunker, you can see another German position on the Western headland.
It surrendered after seeing the fate of the 1st position, unlocking the defences of the town.
Port en Bessin was critical, as it had been chosen as the site to bring ashore fuel for the invasion, via a Pipe Line Under The Ocean - PLUTO.
The mission was nearly thwarted by two flakships which had arrived in the port overnight.
Attempting to shell the flakships from the sea at low tide, a shell bounced off the breakwater behind which they were shielded, hitting the church in the town.
Captain Cousins discovered a zig zag path up to the position, and led a small force to attempt to take it - up this slope which was mined and protected by a wire fence.
Pinned down by fire close to their objective, Captain Cousins and four volunteers rushed the bunker - but a grenade thrown from it mortally wounded Captain Cousins - but the assault he led prevailed, and the bunker was taken.
The defences on the headland overcome, the remaining defenders morale was weakened, and the following day, all were over come.
The port facilities were used to bring vital fuel ashore via the Pipeline Under The Ocean - PLUTO - initially from tankers moored off shore - the first time such a feat had been attempted.
A Russian gun from the 1914-18 war, re-used by the Germans in defence of the "Atlantic Wall"
Destroyed by the British forces soon after landing - the breech blown apart.
Nearby the defensive emplacements at Longues sur Mere partially destroyed by a direct hit.
The battery of four guns at Longues sur Mere.
This gun and it's emplacement have been totally destroyed - even the barrel of the gun is splintered along it's length - clearly a catastrophic explosion.
The emplacement walls shattered (previously seen in the picture of the outside).
Unbelievable destruction brought about by shelling from the sea.
These Royal Marine recruits were being given a guided tour of the battlefield.
Most were in awe of the massive guns - and the German defenders who manned them in the face of a ferocious onslaught from the sea, and the air.
Shrapnel damage to the thick steel sides of the gun show the risks the defenders were taking in remaining at their posts.
Here the concrete is damaged severely but not penetrated from a near miss - probably by a bomb from above.
The mulberry harbours just a short distance away.
