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David Cale (ImagesOfTheJourney) > Normandy A Personal Journey by David Cale ® It was D-Day plus 55. .The day was gray and blustery and a cold wind, blew in from the sea, typical June weather for Normandy. As It was high tide, I did not have to walk a great distance to the water's edge, so I walked straight out from the beach until I was standing, gazing out to sea, knee deep in the cold English Channel waters. I had traveled for five days North from Paris to Dunkerque and then exploring on my way down along the coast of France to Caen, and to the D-Day invasion beaches of Normandy. Driving north I crossed the river Orne at Pegasus bridge, which marks the Eastern edge of the D Day invasion. From there it was a short drive to the beaches. First Gold and Sword Beach, where British troops landed and then my objective Juno Beach where my countrymen, Canadians, came ashore. On a day similar to this, June 6, 1944, D-day, this six kilometer stretch of beach from Courseulles to St-Aubin sur Mer was newly christened -in blood- Juno Beach. It was here that Canadians of Toronto's Queen's Own Rifles, Regina Rifles, and Royal Winnipeg Rifles and others jumped into heavy surf and struggled ashore into the teeth of strong German resistance. Many of the German bunkers had not been destroyed by the preliminary bombardment, and until they were "silenced", these inflicted heavy losses. Many of the Canadian Amphibious Tanks went straight to the bottom in the heavy seas, as they were not equipped to handle the heavy seas. At the end of the day "The German dead were littered over the dunes, by their gun positions", a Canadian journalist reported. "By them, lay Canadians in bloodstained battledress, in the sand and in the grass, on the wire and by the concrete forts. ..They had lived a few minutes of the victory they had made. That was all." Three hundred and forty Canadians had given their lives. Another five hundred and seventy four had been wounded. This was just the beginning. In the days to come Canadians would see some of the bloodiest fighting of the invasion.
David Cale (ImagesOfTheJourney) > Mosque Cairo
David Cale (ImagesOfTheJourney) > Turning south from there I came to what seemed to me the saddest and most disturbing place of all. The German Cemetery at La Camba. In the centre, on top of a large grassy mound, surrounded by red roses stand two shrouded figures.
David Cale (ImagesOfTheJourney) > Shadows
David Cale (ImagesOfTheJourney) > A flower wilted in a gun, so many millions lost all in this war. In reality this was WW1 part two. That war was the ultimate failure of imagination.
David Cale (ImagesOfTheJourney) > From the memorial on top of Vimy Ridge, I can see the town in the distance. Twin mountains of coal mine tailings, a church steeple, and indistinct buildings, all nestled on the green clouds of surrounding trees and grassy fields - unassuming, sleepy, now peaceful. This ground is so soaked in Canadian, French, British and German blood that any flower growing here must surely blossom red. The pamphlet's description of the memorial reads " The twin white pylons, one bearing the maple leaves of Canada, the other the fleur-de-lis of France, symbolize the sacrifices of both countries. At the top are figures representing Peace and Justice, with Truth, Knowledge, Gallantry and Sympathy below them. In the centre, at the base of the pylons, a young dying soldier, the Spirit of Sacrifice, throws the torch to his comrades." A noble picture, with no trace of the mud and carnage of trench warfare. Life, so little valued, that the deaths of one of every six soldiers, and a further half of the rest being wounded, was considered an acceptable price. This was the first war of the industrial age. Mass production applied to killing.
David Cale (ImagesOfTheJourney) > Towering over the beaches, the great guns of "Battery du Longues" were still in their massive concrete emplacements, only one of which had been destroyed, prior to the landings.
David Cale (ImagesOfTheJourney) > I felt an impossible yearning, to have been there, to have fought evil, at a time before ambiguity, when "They" were bad and "We" were good. The last "righteous war." One that had to be fought as the possibility of the Nazis gaining world domination was quite simply, not an option that could be entertained. But was this a righteous war? Not many would argue that WW1 was, and this war after all was in a way WW1 part 2. There is a dichotomy that fuels all wars, "them and us". Patriotism is defined by this and it is usually expressed religiously... God is on our side, and it is God's will that we fight and kill the "evildoers". I realize now that I was yearning to have a sense of meaning that is one of wars most addictive and seductive traits. War is like heroin to many. Its most potent effects are, escape from the mundane consumer life, the rush of feverish emotion at patriotic rallies, the incredible brotherhood of the battlefield which is often more intense and meaningful than marriage, the adulation of those back home, and of course women.
David Cale (ImagesOfTheJourney) > Canadian Cemetery at Juno
I felt an impossible yearning, to have been there, to have fought evil, at a time before ambiguity, when "They" were bad and "We" were good. The last "righteous war." One that had to be fought as the possibility of the Nazis gaining world domination was quite simply, not an option that could be entertained. But was this a righteous war? Not many would argue that WW1 was, and this war after all was in a way WW1 part 2.

There is a dichotomy that fuels all wars, "them and us". Patriotism is defined by this and it is usually expressed religiously... God is on our side, and it is God's will that we fight and kill the "evildoers".

I realize now that I was yearning to have a sense of meaning that is one of wars most addictive and seductive traits. War is like heroin to many. Its most potent effects are, escape from the mundane consumer life, the rush of feverish emotion at patriotic rallies, the incredible brotherhood of the battlefield which is often more intense and meaningful than marriage, the adulation of those back home, and of course women.
David Cale (ImagesOfTheJourney) > I felt an impossible yearning, to have been there, to have fought evil, at a time before ambiguity, when "They" were bad and "We" were good. The last "righteous war." One that had to be fought as the possibility of the Nazis gaining world domination was quite simply, not an option that could be entertained. But was this a righteous war? Not many would argue that WW1 was, and this war after all was in a way WW1 part 2. There is a dichotomy that fuels all wars, "them and us". Patriotism is defined by this and it is usually expressed religiously... God is on our side, and it is God's will that we fight and kill the "evildoers". I realize now that I was yearning to have a sense of meaning that is one of wars most addictive and seductive traits. War is like heroin to many. Its most potent effects are, escape from the mundane consumer life, the rush of feverish emotion at patriotic rallies, the incredible brotherhood of the battlefield which is often more intense and meaningful than marriage, the adulation of those back home, and of course women.
I felt an impossible yearning, to have been there, to have fought evil, at a time before ambiguity, when "They" were bad and "We" were good. The last "righteous war." One that had to be fought as the possibility of the Nazis gaining world domination was quite simply, not an option that could be entertained. But was this a righteous war? Not many would argue that WW1 was, and this war after all was in a way WW1 part 2.

There is a dichotomy that fuels all wars, "them and us". Patriotism is defined by this and it is usually expressed religiously... God is on our side, and it is God's will that we fight and kill the "evildoers".

I realize now that I was yearning to have a sense of meaning that is one of wars most addictive and seductive traits. War is like heroin to many. Its most potent effects are, escape from the mundane consumer life, the rush of feverish emotion at patriotic rallies, the incredible brotherhood of the battlefield which is often more intense and meaningful than marriage, the adulation of those back home, and of course women.
See photo in original gallery.
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This site and my photography business have developed from a passion for wonder, for wandering and for story telling. In the past few years I have traveled to more than 700 cities and places in pursuit of wonders from which come my stories and photographs.

IMAGES OF THE JOURNEY PHOTOGRAPHY


High quality photographs that capture the essence of exotic travel which will bring that blank wall in your office or home to life. Photo gifts, calendars, clothing, are also available.
We are located about 20km (12mi) NW of the Toronto International Airport in the city of Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
My services include travel photojournalism, political or commercial event photography (no weddings).If you are in the home decorating business then call for wholesale pricing. Images or stories on this site may not be used for personal or commercial use without written permission or purchase from this site.
NOTE Many charitable or non profit organizations (NGOs) will be eligible to use these photos, or my services for NO FEE (expenses only) Contact me at david@imagesofthejourney.com or 416-890-0740.

copyright 1996-2009 David Cale [Images Of The Journey Photography] All Rights Reserved