What people say about Military Might D-Day Tours ...
From: Karen Shaffer, April 2012
Thank you again for the wonderful tour of the Normandy beaches. My mother was thrilled and has not stopped talking about it! As soon as I get organized at home, I will post reviews on your website and the Trip Advisor, which is a site I consult for ideas about trips. I’ll let you know when I’ve submitted them. Feel free to give my email address to any prospective clients who would like a testimonial—it was truly a magnificent day for us.
Review:
Jules’ tour is an
excellent option for cruise ship passengers arriving at Cherbourg for the day. I encourage passengers to contact him to see if he is available when they are in port. His van seats 7 (looked like that to me) comfortably, and he will pick you up and return you to the dock—it is a very, very short walk and an easy distance for persons with limited mobility. He met the three of us shortly after 8:00 a.m. when the ship docked, and had us back shortly after 4:00 p.m. We had a full-day tour—we were able to stand on Omaha Beach while he showed us photos of the scene on June 6 and drew the invasion plan in the sand—a very effective way of simplifying the most complex military operation in history. We had ample time to visit the American Military Cemetery at Colleville sur Mer—a beautiful and haunting place that every American should have on his/her “bucket list.” Jules took us to La Pointe du Hoc and again used his photograph collection to explain the heroic actions that took place there. We had a quick lunch in Carentan at a lovely little café we would never have found on our own, and he showed us more photographs from the aftermath of June 6 so that we could see the “then” and “now,” which was quite fascinating. After lunch, we went to Utah beach for another view of the landing battlefield. His photographs and stories were wonderful—he knows the terrain very well and has spoken with many survivors to gain their insights. Throughout the tour, he gave us a running commentary of what we were seeing in the countryside and an explanation of various markers by the side of road. Finally, we stopped in St. Mere Eglise and viewed the church immortalized by Red Buttons in “The Longest Day.” We visited the Airborne Museum and watched a short film in the theater, then toured at the exhibits.
Our cruise line offered a half-day tour that went to St. Mere Eglise and stopped at Utah beach. We saw the cruise line bus at Utah beach—by the time it loaded and unloaded all of the passengers, they were able to see very little of the beach and did not have the opportunity to walk to it as we did. The full-size bus was not able to go down some of the side roads where Jules took us, and I think those passengers missed a great deal of the context and challenges of D-Day.
Jules’ tour was an excellent value, especially because he tailored it to a member of our party with limited mobility who used a wheelchair for most of the trip. He is exceptionally knowledgeable about the planning for D-Day, the actual invasion, and the aftermath. Depending upon your interests and mobility, he will tailor the tour to fit your needs. I cannot recommend him highly enough!
From: Catherine Hope, February 2012
We have been meaning to write and thank you so much for the wonderful day that you spent guiding us around the D-Day beaches. I cannot tell you how much the boys have remembered about it, as they can recall every last detail that you told them, as well as recalling just how hard it was to run up that beach. We have all watched 'The Longest Day' and we watched 'Saving Private Ryan' last weekend. We were stunned at the details in both films, but Saving Private Ryan will stay with us all for a very long time. William has also spent ages cleaning up the bullets that you gave him. Can't tell you what exact combination of chemicals he used, but it seemed to be some cocktail of Coke Cola and vinegar. Anyway he discovered that he had a collection of Mauser 7.92 mm bullets, some dating back to 1931 made in two different factories, P162 and P163, as well as something that looked like a landmine (?). He has enjoyed the process so much, that I was wondered whether you had any other assorted bags of old bullets that he could clean up. We would be happy to send over the Euros in advance, but you have him hooked now! He has taken the bullets into school this morning to show his History teacher. So I may have some other orders for you by the end of the day! Many thanks again.
From: Tony Lee Blate, November 2011
Andrew and I both think that your guided tour was superb! Looking back on our day, I can't help being impressed by the fact that you started out speaking about the invasion immediately from 8:30am when you picked us up and continued pretty much non-stop, except for the lunch break, until you dropped us off at 6:30pm! Being a long time teacher and having taught how to make presentations, I think I know a well-crafted presentation. Yours was superb - very well organized and clearly presented. You told us straight away the three crucial ideas that we needed to understand throughout the day- topography, defense, and infrastructure. (:)) Then over the course of the day you reminded us of them, demonstrated them, even had us experience them. Andrew will never forget lying on Omaha Beach looking up at the defenses on the cliffs. Recently I heard a professor of music say that "Education should be experience and inspiration, not just information." I think that description suits perfectly what you do on your D-Day tour. You had us experience as far as possible what the Americans must have seen, felt, heard on that day. We came away deeply moved, inspired to learn more, and appreciative of the soldiers efforts and of yours as well. Thank you, Jules, for an incredible day which will stay with us indefinitely. For anyone who might ask, I highly recommend you as a D-Day guide. Our day was well worth every euro and more.
From: Helen Waterworth, October 2011
I'm not sure if we clearly expressed to you how much we enjoyed our day with you learning more about the D-Day Landings of Normandy. The information you gave us and the sites that we saw really gave us such a clear idea of what went on. You were incredibly informative and what we loved was the additional tidbits that you gave us which I'm sure we never would have gleaned from a larger, organised tour. Harry of course remembers the Scotsman's thoughts when he got off the
boat in his kilt, while I am haunted by the Scottish battalion that had to cross that field to the forest on the other side. Thanks so much again for all of your help. Warm regards, Helen Waterworth.
From: Jamey, Michele, Adam Bumgarner - May 31 2011 Band of Brothers Tour
Jules, I wanted to write despite it being over a month since we returned from Normandy and Thank you for the wonderful glimpse back into history. Your knowledge and guided tour provided my family with a wonderful experience of D-Day and the days, weeks, and even months yet to come after June 5/6 1944. Adam, Michele, and I cannot stop discussing with friends the great day we had with you. Please know we appreciate your time, effort, and most of all dedication to ensuring that the history of D-Day, the Normandy Campaign, and World War II will not be forgotten anytime soon. I am also placing a small momento in the mail to you. Best wishes and may God bless you, Jamey, Michele, Adam Bumgarner.
From: Ruth Schmid, February 2011
Hello Jules. On behalf of my husband John and our boys Zach and Drew, I would like to thank you very much for what was one of the most memorable and thoroughly enjoyable days we spent in Europe. The way you brought D-Day to life for us all along with your passion, stories, honesty and patience was something we will never forget. The lunch at the historic house was also a very fun part of the day. If you and your family ever come to the States, we hope you will consider
visiting us in San Diego. We don't have as much history nor beautiful architecture but the weather and beaches are very nice. Also, our older son Zach would be very appreciative if you would ask your friend who is a former WWII vet from the Pacific, if Zach could do a 5 - 10 minute interview with him by phone for the documentary he is working on for a school project about the decision to use the atomic bomb. Again, thank you for a very special day and please let us know if we can ever be
a reference for you. We will be sure to sing your praises on all of the web blogs we visit and say that if you are going to Normandy, there is only one company to call. Best, Ruth Schmid, San Diego, CA.
From: William Stockbridge, February 2011
Jules, thank you for a wonderful day yesterday fulfilling a long time dream. Your expertise of the Normandy battlefields was amazing and I learned many things I was never aware of. Both Trish and I felt you made us feel comfortable from the minute we met and by the end of the day we felt like old friends. We will be back to see more and we will highly recommend you to all of our friends that share the same dream. Warm regards, Bill and Trish.
From Rob Munday-Crates, November 2010
Hi Jules, I hope that this message reaches you? It’s Rob (from your recent British sector tour), Eric’s grandson. I wanted to thank you very much for your enthusiasm and attention to detail last week. You really made the trip for us. We went to the American sector on Wednesday but the weather was pants! We started at Point Du Hoc and travelled East taking in Omaha and the American cemetery (very impressive). We culminated our day at Luc-Sur-Mer. My Grandad said that he wanted to go as he spent a lot of time there. We parked up and he was recognising not much at all until he went onto the beach where he recognised, of all things, some railings! He had been stationed some way inland from L-S-M and recalled going for a swim on the beach in that very spot. He remembered the US DUKW’s coming ashore up the little slipway. We then travelled inland and found the possible site for his camp. Thursday saw us return to the UK after an amazing trip. Eric thanked me saying that it was the trip of a lifetime. Much of this was down to you, we missed your knowledge on the Wednesday to say the least. I have just been admiring your website, is that all equipiment that you have found? Give me a shout back if you have time Jules. Best wishes for the future and thanks again.
From David Simenson, September 2010
Dear Jules, once again a great tour of the British landings Normandy DDay. Battle Bus Tour 4 July 2010. Don’t know if you remember but I was from OZ and we were with a family who were from Guernsey. We were at Ranville Cemetry, and you mentioned a unit which took part in the landings which consisted of men who had to change their names due to their ethnic origins, and who took heavy casualties. I wrote it down but of course I cant find where I put it. Can you help out? Kind regards, David Simenson, Perth West Australia.
From Chris Sperry, September 2010
Many thanks for the fabulous 2 day tour this past Saturday and Sunday. We hope you enjoyed your well earned days off. I said nice things about you on my blog for friends and family. Hopefully some of them will be able to take advantage of your expertise in the future. We were able to return to the American cemetery the following morning before our return to Paris. We spent a couple of hours at the Visitor's Center reading exhibits and viewing the films. It is an exceptional place and we were glad we made time for it. John and I hope to return to Normandy soon although since we have paid for this expensive apartment in Paris, the return will probably have to wait until our next trip to France. Fond regards, Chris Sperry.
From Brian Le, December 2009
This is Brian on your battlebus tour during the last week of August of this year for the 2 day American tour. I have a small request from you if possible. I remember your story you told of Robert Wright and Kenneth Moore and it was so heart warming that I retold the story to my Year 4 class and had them do an reinactment of the story. I recorded the whole play and even recreated the stain glass window which, I have attach to this email. My request is; is it possible to forward this to the Robert Wright himself via email or letter? We just want to show them our appreciation for what they have done. Please let me know if possible how to contact him, that is what we all need. Hope everything is well with you. Cheers.
From Steve Hauser, November 2009
Just a quick note to thank you again for the fantastic two day trip (Oct 20-21) to the Normandy beach areas (Utah & Omaha beaches) and surrounding areas in regards to D-Day. Both Kris1, Chris2, Rebecca and I had a great time and learned much more than we ever had during our days in school regarding the run up to D-Day and the resulting actions. We all wish we had more time at the American cemetary, we'll have to do that the next time we're there. Cheers, and thanks again.
From John and Lisa, May 2007
Thank you again for the wonderful tour and your amazing hospitality. You where the perfect guide to bridge my "geekiness" with my wife's more "normal" knowledge on the subject. We appreciated how you handled the group and more important how you became a friend in such short time. We will write a review for Battle Bus soon and will order the boots this week. We hope your visit with your family was nice and that the weather cleared. Should you ever decide to come down to the Venice Area let us know. We plan to visit Normandy again within the year and we look forward to seeing you.
More information on our
Links page ...