A cracking vlog as usual Jon, thank you mate. My wife and I (bless her!) visited over a week in August, starting at Omaha and worked our way along to Sword. This was my first visit and had been on my 'To Do' list for the past 60-odd years! I banged my shin and drew blood climbing onto No 4 casement roof, and still have the scar to prove it...bloody Germans struck again after 80 years! But what an experience, this was one of my favourite locations during the trip. I only scratched the surface though, a good excuse for a return trip before I cash in my chips methinks, but on my own next time as wifey said 'never again!'
You’re most welcome! Glad you’ve been able to make it over there and hope the leg is healing up!!! If you plan a return trip and need any tips on where to go please let me know 😃
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it and I hope it enough back find memories of your visits there! It’s such a wonder site to explore and I’m impressed that it’s not been over developed there other than the new car park and toilets which is not a bad thing I don’t think. Glad you enjoyed the coffee too!!!☕️
Thank you! I love the site at Longues sur Mer and meant to film there a couple of years ago so glad I was actually able to do so on this most recent trip
It’s a great spot to visit isn’t it. It’s a real Time Machine and the views across the cliff tops are stunning. It’s also nice to see the ALG is now memorialised there too.
Many thanks for a excellent tour of the German fortifications I learn alot every time I watch your channel you do great work please keep it up look forward to your next quest
Been there twice on separate visits, but didn't realise it was a forward air base. Disappointing those barrels are not dug out & preserved, but Great vid, thanks. 👍🏻
Nice tour around this gun position, with some interesting background information. Visited Wn 48 myself in 1993 and indeed entered the fire control bunker via the original ladder now blocked. I remember it was a beautiful sunny summer evening and my brother and I were the only visitors there. The atmosphere was almost surreal.
I didnt realize that battery fired so many rounds that morning. During my D-Day to Rhine tour back in 2022 this site was one that we were supposed to see but never did. So definitely need to check them out whenever I make it back over. Another great video with great period footage, well done sir 🫡. Thank you
Ajax and Argonaut were 6 inch light cruisers. Thanks for your excellent video. My uncle died of his machine gun chest wounds received in Normandy . 👍🏻🏴
@@WW2Wayfinder TH-cam can't stop 🛑 me watching your videos... Funny when u see my list of what I'm subscribed to the ww2 stuff is at the bottom (I'm not subscribed to alot)
Your Normandy content is probably my favourite. I visit Normandy multiple times every year and have started visiting some sites based on your recommendation (the last was the Vimoutiers Tiger). Based on your post a couple of months ago I thought I would give you my personal feedback on your channel. I am less interested in locations based on film scenes, although I really enjoyed your content on Masters of the Air as it was more about the backstory rather than locations. However I would love to see more based in Normandy, specifically more detail about the Falaise Pocket. I hope this helps. Keep up the good work and I hope your relocation / new job work out. Thanks
Awesome video Jon , you need a flashlight for going into the case mates I have never seen pictures of the gun barrels that are in the ground by the case mate, can't wait for your next one.
Was as good as I thought it would be mate. Quality video detailing the battery and its history, no sign of the airfield even 2 years after the war was surprising too 👏🏻🪖
@@steveb5341 thanks mate. It’s incredible isn’t it how quickly it was changed back to farm land postwar. But it’s great to see the memorial there to the Sqns that flew from there as that’s a only recent addition
@@TurkishCuisineNC thank you! Yes the Pocket 3 is an amazing camera and the sound quality from the mic 2 is superb. I didn’t think DJI would be able to beat the Mic 1 but they’ve managed it!!!
I got a chuckle out of the contemporary newsreel narrated by an Englishman reviewing which invasion sites couldn't be considered and why Normandy was the right choice. One of the major struggles during the war was between the British general staff and the American general staff about strategy. The British general staff was dead set against a frontal assault invasion of France. George Marshall was insistent on an invasion in 1943, but even Roosevelt knew that the Americans wouldn't be ready and capable by then. The Churchill and British general staff argued vehemently for an invasion in "the soft underbelly" of Europe. They committed in various summit meetings to an invasion in France but did everything they could to thwart it. It took Roosevelt's and Stalin's insistence to overcome their objections. But as the old saying goes, "victory has a thousand fathers", so our esteemed British narrator proudly communicates the heroism and wisdom of the invasion.
I read somewhere that there was a blind French farmer who lived adjacent to this site. He was allowed to walk through the area and consequently he paced off the coordinates of the installation and transmitted the data to the French underground who passed it on to the Allies. Interesting if true.
That’s right, I’ve heard or read something similar but not sure if it was from Longues sur Mer or Pointe du Hoc. I think it may be in Stephen Ambrose’s D-Day book?
Great tour and cinema. The germans did a great job with their concrete reinforcements, not much deterioration given the elements and location 80 yrs later. Thanks
@@WW2Wayfinder why was this battery not subjected to the same attacks as the batteries at Pointe du Hoc and Merville. Pointe is a moon scape and attacked by Rangers and Merville was to be attacked coup de main by paratroopers! Visited there this September awesome is the only way to describe it
@@WW2Wayfinder ICYMI. The Battle of Surigao Strait: 'The battle holds the distinction of being the last naval battle in which air power did not play a part, except in pursuit. As such, it was the last U.S. Navy's last battle-line engagement. U.S. Navy battleships participating were USS Mississippi (BB-41), USS Maryland (BB-46), USS West Virginia (BB-48), USS Tennessee (BB-43), USS California (BB-44), and USS Pennsylvania (BB-38). Except for Mississippi, all these battleships were damaged during the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.'
@@AndyClayton-f5x I was surprised when I went 2/3 years ago and saw the new development there. Definitely altered it but I was pleased that the former battery wasn’t altered and the addition of toilets is always welcome!
HMS Ajax was not a battleship she was a light cruiser famously part of force G under commodore Hardwood which fought the Admiral Graf Spee at the battle of the River plate. I know it's being a bit pedantic but it's the use of what I can only guess is American documentary footage that lists her as a battleship it's the kind of a mistake in documentaries that winds me up but is common in American documentaries as if applying facts to anything another nation doesn't really matter as we're going to minimize their part in the action anyway.
I’ll be honest my maritime knowledge extends to pointy end of the boat and the dangerous end with the water fans. Partly due because of watching Jaws from a young age and deciding the land or air was my place, and I respect the sea by keeping well out of it! And sadly yes the UK archives in terms of footage is sadly crap which makes it rather difficult to try and get decent British footage, that combined with the fact the U.S. filmed far more is a real pain.
@@WW2Wayfinder yes the Americans did seem to put a lot more effort than the rest of the world into filming every combat action they were involved in compared to the rest of the allies. You could, if you were a cynical type of person, almost believe that they went into action with the plan of controlling any post war narrative to limit other nations part in the war that or prove to the post war world that whilst they may have arrived late again they did do a lot of fighting.
No. For real? Are those Germans looking out and they can see the White Cliffs of Dover across the English Channel on the horizon? 9:55 Or are those clouds? Were they really that CLOSE across the channel to the White Cliffs of Dover? If that is so, no wonder the British were trembling at the thought of an invasion from the Germans!
Good mixing of the old archive film with your videos.
@@ncwoodworker thanks! I’m a big fan of original footage so try and use it where appropriate
Once again excellent Jon. You have become the master of the drone,footage was excellent.👍
@@jas_1959 thank you!
Hoping to upgrade the drone for next year and bring something a bit different to episodes if everything works out!
Thanks so much for your excellent work in bringing these videos. I learn something new from nearly every one. Very well done indeed sir.
I'll second that!
Another gem! Thank you.
My pleasure! Longues Sur Mer is a definitely a must if you’re able to visit the beaches.
A cracking vlog as usual Jon, thank you mate.
My wife and I (bless her!) visited over a week in August, starting at Omaha and worked our way along to Sword. This was my first visit and had been on my 'To Do' list for the past 60-odd years!
I banged my shin and drew blood climbing onto No 4 casement roof, and still have the scar to prove it...bloody Germans struck again after 80 years!
But what an experience, this was one of my favourite locations during the trip. I only scratched the surface though, a good excuse for a return trip before I cash in my chips methinks, but on my own next time as wifey said 'never again!'
You’re most welcome!
Glad you’ve been able to make it over there and hope the leg is healing up!!!
If you plan a return trip and need any tips on where to go please let me know 😃
@@WW2Wayfinder Thanks Jon, will do 👌
Another great vid Jon, been to Longues dozens of times, a great place to see the actual history. PS enjoyed the coffee!!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it and I hope it enough back find memories of your visits there! It’s such a wonder site to explore and I’m impressed that it’s not been over developed there other than the new car park and toilets which is not a bad thing I don’t think.
Glad you enjoyed the coffee too!!!☕️
Another excellent video. Thanks Jon.
Thank you! I love the site at Longues sur Mer and meant to film there a couple of years ago so glad I was actually able to do so on this most recent trip
Thanks for the tour Jon, last visited in the 80's.
Glad you enjoyed it! Hope it brought back some good memories from your visit there and I bet it’s not changed too much?
I really appreciate the hard work you put into these vids.
Much Thanks.
No worries! Thank you for taking the time to watch. I hope it showed what an incredible position the battery is atop the cliffs at Longues Sur Mer!
Great video mate - excellent footage and explain 👍🏻
Thanks mate 😃
I hope this time in history is never forgotten. Thank you for your efforts to keep history alive.
Last week we finished up a 16 day Band of Brothers tour... visited that site... 😎
Thank you, Jon, its been nearly 30 years for me!
That place is amazing. Touching the guns gave me chills. I am glad that I had the experience of standing in that location and on the beaches.
It’s a great spot to visit isn’t it. It’s a real Time Machine and the views across the cliff tops are stunning. It’s also nice to see the ALG is now memorialised there too.
Wonderful job and great research!
Glad you enjoyed it! I’ve been meaning to film there for a couple of years now so glad I was finally able to do it on this last trip!
Always enjoy your content and we never miss one, we always learn so much. Thank you
As usual great vids and info. I was just there on Sept 17th. Fantastic site and plenty of things to see. Thanks for all of your hard work. 🎉🎉
Many thanks for a excellent tour of the German fortifications I learn alot every time I watch your channel you do great work please keep it up look forward to your next quest
Another great effort!
Normandy is on my bucket list and when I make it, will definitely look to your advice on what to see!
I always love your work ❤ Thank you! 🙏
Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for taking the time to watch it!!!
Been there twice on separate visits, but didn't realise it was a forward air base. Disappointing those barrels are not dug out & preserved, but Great vid, thanks. 👍🏻
Another brilliant episode
Thank you! Hopefully I’ll be back to more regular content in the next couple of weeks!
Nice tour around this gun position, with some interesting background information.
Visited Wn 48 myself in 1993 and indeed entered the fire control bunker via the original ladder now blocked. I remember it was a beautiful sunny summer evening and my brother and I were the only visitors there. The atmosphere was almost surreal.
I didnt realize that battery fired so many rounds that morning. During my D-Day to Rhine tour back in 2022 this site was one that we were supposed to see but never did. So definitely need to check them out whenever I make it back over. Another great video with great period footage, well done sir 🫡. Thank you
It works out at less than 30 rounds per gun, so not a huge amount.
Ajax and Argonaut were 6 inch light cruisers. Thanks for your excellent video. My uncle died of his machine gun chest wounds received in Normandy . 👍🏻🏴
Yes, yes, another excellent video on D day. I love the way you present the information and relics/artifacts. Jolly good.
Great video as always.
un endroit que je connais bien, pourtant , grâce a vous, je découvre des choses!! merci a vous et a bientôt.
You’re most welcome! Glad I was able to show you something new!
Thank you for sharing these videos
Im not getting notifications for your videos 😢 keep up rhe great work another great video ❤
Got to love YT and how they’re still going after history channels at the moment!
Glad you managed to find it though mate.
@@WW2Wayfinder TH-cam can't stop 🛑 me watching your videos... Funny when u see my list of what I'm subscribed to the ww2 stuff is at the bottom (I'm not subscribed to alot)
Cool that many of the scenes in the longest day ere filmed at the actual site. Very good and informative video.
Your Normandy content is probably my favourite. I visit Normandy multiple times every year and have started visiting some sites based on your recommendation (the last was the Vimoutiers Tiger). Based on your post a couple of months ago I thought I would give you my personal feedback on your channel. I am less interested in locations based on film scenes, although I really enjoyed your content on Masters of the Air as it was more about the backstory rather than locations. However I would love to see more based in Normandy, specifically more detail about the Falaise Pocket. I hope this helps. Keep up the good work and I hope your relocation / new job work out. Thanks
Had a good time in the Ardennes by the way. See the exact area you were in. All the best
Awesome video Jon , you need a flashlight for going into the case mates I have never seen pictures of the gun barrels that are in the ground by the case mate, can't wait for your next one.
Thanks!
Thank you!
Excellent as always, Jon.
Nice work!
Thank you!
Was as good as I thought it would be mate. Quality video detailing the battery and its history, no sign of the airfield even 2 years after the war was surprising too 👏🏻🪖
@@steveb5341 thanks mate. It’s incredible isn’t it how quickly it was changed back to farm land postwar. But it’s great to see the memorial there to the Sqns that flew from there as that’s a only recent addition
@@WW2Wayfinder It is indeed mate. Humbling and so much respect 🫡 🪖
This was a great tour, thank you for sharing.
great video !!!!!!!!!!
Nice work, thank you--
Thanks for that amazing video!!!
Another good perspective of the events 80 years ago. Thanks.
You always produce great videos, thanks! I see you are getting along with your Pocket 3 and Mic 2! I love mine - wow, what a camera.
@@TurkishCuisineNC thank you! Yes the Pocket 3 is an amazing camera and the sound quality from the mic 2 is superb. I didn’t think DJI would be able to beat the Mic 1 but they’ve managed it!!!
been there its still amazing site of history
I got a chuckle out of the contemporary newsreel narrated by an Englishman reviewing which invasion sites couldn't be considered and why Normandy was the right choice. One of the major struggles during the war was between the British general staff and the American general staff about strategy. The British general staff was dead set against a frontal assault invasion of France. George Marshall was insistent on an invasion in 1943, but even Roosevelt knew that the Americans wouldn't be ready and capable by then.
The Churchill and British general staff argued vehemently for an invasion in "the soft underbelly" of Europe. They committed in various summit meetings to an invasion in France but did everything they could to thwart it. It took Roosevelt's and Stalin's insistence to overcome their objections. But as the old saying goes, "victory has a thousand fathers", so our esteemed British narrator proudly communicates the heroism and wisdom of the invasion.
I read somewhere that there was a blind French farmer who lived adjacent to this site. He was allowed to walk through the area and consequently he paced off the coordinates of the installation and transmitted the data to the French underground who passed it on to the Allies. Interesting if true.
That’s right, I’ve heard or read something similar but not sure if it was from Longues sur Mer or Pointe du Hoc. I think it may be in Stephen Ambrose’s D-Day book?
Great tour and cinema. The germans did a great job with their concrete reinforcements, not much deterioration given the elements and location 80 yrs later. Thanks
A lot of repairs were done on the casemates and grounds after the war.
Marvelous vid as always❤
Thank you! Sorry it’s been a while but hope to get back to a weekly routine soon!
Indestructible fortifications. Will be there another 100 years and more.
And the rest I think! The Germans definitely knew how to make a fortification last!
@@WW2Wayfinder why was this battery not subjected to the same attacks as the batteries at Pointe du Hoc and Merville. Pointe is a moon scape and attacked by Rangers and Merville was to be attacked coup de main by paratroopers! Visited there this September awesome is the only way to describe it
At 10:35, at left, note the presence of the USS Nevada off Utah beach. The ship was nearly sunk at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941.
Amazing isn’t it to think of the role it played on D-Day after the events it witnessed in Hawaii that fateful day!
@@WW2Wayfinder ICYMI. The Battle of Surigao Strait: 'The battle holds the distinction of being the last naval battle in which air power did not play a part, except in pursuit. As such, it was the last U.S. Navy's last battle-line engagement. U.S. Navy battleships participating were USS Mississippi (BB-41), USS Maryland (BB-46), USS West Virginia (BB-48), USS Tennessee (BB-43), USS California (BB-44), and USS Pennsylvania (BB-38). Except for Mississippi, all these battleships were damaged during the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941.'
That was a hell of a lot of concrete!
Amazing isn’t it and to think the most used by the Germans was on the Channel Islands (if memory serves me correctly).
Surprise, surprise another home run!!!! (Notice what word I left out this time!!)
Haha thank you!
@@WW2Wayfinder Don’t get too used to that!!! I’m an American and spent 10.5yrs as Marine Infantry!! It’s in my DNA!!!
😁😁
Nice to see that these gun batteries are not covered in graffiti.
The only problem with static positions, formidable or not, once they have been taken, they are absolutely no use to anyone trying to defend anything
Pelo visto isso aconteceu na segunda guerra mundial 😮
I visited before the access was improved. It was better as it was. Perhaps the old veterans were having problems.
@@AndyClayton-f5x I was surprised when I went 2/3 years ago and saw the new development there. Definitely altered it but I was pleased that the former battery wasn’t altered and the addition of toilets is always welcome!
HMS Ajax was not a battleship she was a light cruiser famously part of force G under commodore Hardwood which fought the Admiral Graf Spee at the battle of the River plate. I know it's being a bit pedantic but it's the use of what I can only guess is American documentary footage that lists her as a battleship it's the kind of a mistake in documentaries that winds me up but is common in American documentaries as if applying facts to anything another nation doesn't really matter as we're going to minimize their part in the action anyway.
I’ll be honest my maritime knowledge extends to pointy end of the boat and the dangerous end with the water fans. Partly due because of watching Jaws from a young age and deciding the land or air was my place, and I respect the sea by keeping well out of it!
And sadly yes the UK archives in terms of footage is sadly crap which makes it rather difficult to try and get decent British footage, that combined with the fact the U.S. filmed far more is a real pain.
@@WW2Wayfinder yes the Americans did seem to put a lot more effort than the rest of the world into filming every combat action they were involved in compared to the rest of the allies. You could, if you were a cynical type of person, almost believe that they went into action with the plan of controlling any post war narrative to limit other nations part in the war that or prove to the post war world that whilst they may have arrived late again they did do a lot of fighting.
No. For real? Are those Germans looking out and they can see the White Cliffs of Dover across the English Channel on the horizon? 9:55 Or are those clouds? Were they really that CLOSE across the channel to the White Cliffs of Dover? If that is so, no wonder the British were trembling at the thought of an invasion from the Germans!
Uber Alles
Немецкие инженеры умели возводить фортификации. Особенно линия Зигфрида
Completely agree!