The Ensworth D-Day Normandy Trip

Ambrose tours provided us with three specialists who were all superb historians. This included our driver from the Netherlands, Koop Steemburger, a logistic specialist, Bryan Perissutti, a middle school history teacher, and historian Marty Morgan who served as our group leader. Marty has not only published several works on WW II but also has appeared in several television programs on the Discovery, National Geographic, and History channels. All three Ambrose guides proved to be critical to the success of the trip. They were extremely helpful in solving problems as they unfolded,and their knowledge of the subject matter was unparalleled.

We shared a moving experience during our visit of the Battle of La Fiere. This was a critical battle won by the 82nd Airborne Division on June 8, 1944. The aim of this offensive was to push back German resistance so that the Allied forces could move up from the beaches and begin to control the Cotentin Peninsula. As we stood beside the statue of Iron Mike, Marty recounted the riveting story of how the Germans flooded the Merderet River. The Americans were forced to fight for three days in what should have taken three minutes to cross over.

Yet, Marty went beyond a tour guide’s normal duties as he guided us to a church set on the opposite bank. As we entered, it was evident that this church and its neighboring cemetery retained the physical scars from that famous day of battle, including a bullet that is still lodged in the cemetery’s iron fencing. In dramatic fashion, Marty brought to life how two Americans won the Medal of Honor during those three days within miles of each other. He continued his story by informing us about a German soldier named Rudi Skrzipek, who performed the same heroic actions for his side and also garnered a medal. It was evident that this story was not common knowledge. However, Marty was kind enough to send us his research on Skrzipek, which included a personal interview he had had with the German survivor.

The bond that developed within our group became apparent when we visited Omaha Beach. All went well until suddenly a torrential rain fell as our bus approached a German bunker that had been attacked by Allied forces. It was obvious that the tour might have to be were forced to fight for three delayed or canceled. Marty, undeterred by the weather, led a charge up a hill to visit the German fortification. Immediately, he was followed by a majority of our group despite the conditions. It was representative of the Ranger charge that opened a route that broke through the German defenses at Omaha Beach. We gathered inside the small bunker and listened to Marty finish the story of the American assault, while the rain continued outside the bunker. We knew we were experiencing something special. It was as if we were living the event in real time.

Our visits to La Fiere and Omaha Beach are just two examples of the extraordinary living history experience we shared on our Normandy tour. This trip, given the camaraderie among our group and the expertise of our newly acquired Ambrose friends, made each of our nine days of travel an indisputable “Day of Days.”