John Sheldon's photos

A partial record of American lives lost in the D-Day invasion on 6 June 1944, that forms part of the 101st Airborne Division (U.S Army) memorial at Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, Normandy. This picture has been slightly modified in order to remove some colours patches which were detracting from its impact.

In the quite village of Sainte-Mère-Eglise, Normandy, France. This well used votive candle stand is in the church building on whose tower an American paratrooper, John Steele, hung helplessly during the D-day invasion of Normandy in June 1944. This event was included in the 1962 film "The Longest Day".

In the quite village of Sainte-Mère-Eglise, Normandy, France. As depicted in the 1962 film The Longest Day, there was fierce fighting here as the D-day invasion of Normandy began and American parachutists started to land and were challenged by German occupying forces. One of the Americans, John Steele, famously got his parachute caught on the church tower and hung there in that exposed position for two hours while the battle raged below.

In the quite village of Sainte-Mère-Eglise, Normandy, France. As depicted in the 1962 film The Longest Day, there was fierce fighting here as the D-day invasion of Normandy began and American parachutists started to land and were challenged by German occupying forces. One of the Americans, John Steele, famously got his parachute caught on the church tower and hung there in that exposed position for two hours while the battle raged below.

This bronze statue by Yannec Tomada depicts a USA soldier aiding an injured comrade during the 6 June 1944 D-Day landing at ‘Omaha Beach’ in Normandy, France. The landing of USA troops on this beach is the factual event behind the film “Saving Private Ryan”. The plaque by the sculpture reads: “In commemoration of the determined efforts by the soldiers of the 29th Division's 116th Infantry Regimental Combat Team who landed the morning of June 6, 1944 on this section of Omaha Beach … to open the Vierville Draw … to begin the liberation of Europe.” The Vierville Draw was a paved road that cut between cliffs. Capture of that road was essential so that the vehicles and armaments, that were being unloaded from the invasion fleet, could be taken inland in order to drive back the occupying German forces.

Omaha Beach, Normandy, France Part of the Normandy beach that was code-named Omaha in the 1944 D-day landings. It is where USA troops landed on 6 June 1944. That landing forms the background to a film called “Saving Private Ryan”. The picture is taken at Boulevard de Cauvigny, Vierville-sur-Mer.

A Monument at Boulevard de Cauvigny, Vierville-sur-Mer. It is maintained by The National Guard Association of the United States. It sits atop a World War II defensive bunker constructed by occupying German forces and marks the spot where USA troops broke through the German defensive line. The 1944 D-Day landings on this beach (Omaha Beach) were the historical event that inspired a film called “Saving Private Ryan”. This is also the place where General Charles De Gaulle addressed the now liberated population of the surrounding area on 14 June 1944. UR CETTE PLAGE LE 14 JUIN 1944 LE GENERAL DE GAULLE S'EST ADDRESSE AUX HABITANTS

A Monument at Boulevard de Cauvigny, Vierville-sur-Mer. It is maintained by The National Guard Association of the United States. It sits atop a World War II defensive bunker constructed by occupying German forces and marks the spot where USA troops broke through the German defensive line. The 1944 D-Day landings on this beach (Omaha Beach) were the historical event that inspired a film called “Saving Private Ryan”. The English version of the text on the monument reads: “Thousands of citizen soldiers of the National Guard stormed ashore on these beaches on 6 June,1944, as part of the Army of the United States. They fought valiantly and with great distinction in all the ensuing battles and campaigns of World War II. More than a quarter-century earlier, in World War I, their fathers shed blood in Europe in the cause of freedom. To all of them, and to the principles for which they fought, this monument is dedicated.”

In the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville sur Mer, Normandy. On the ceiling lies a mosaic by Leon Kroll. In this detail the allegorical figure of Marianne bestows a laurel wreath on the lifeless body of a young USA soldier who has fallen in the fight to liberate France.