Then and Now

Normandy

A region of northern France known for its coastline, apple orchards, half-timbered villages and long history. It’s best remembered for the D-Day landings of the Second World War and the battle that followed in the summer of 1944.

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Black-and-white photo of a Churchill tank carrying infantry of the Royal Scots Fusiliers past a destroyed German Mk IV tank and the ruined church in Le Tourneur, Normandy, on 3 August 1944
1944

Le Tourneur, Normandy, 1944

A Churchill tank carrying infantry of the Royal Scots Fusiliers passes a destroyed German Mk IV tank in Le Tourneur, 3 August 1944.

Black-and-white photo of a Cromwell tank of 2nd Northamptonshire Yeomanry driving through the main street of Vassy, Normandy, on 15 August 1944, past a roadside kilometre marker, with the church spire in the distance
1944

Vassy, Normandy, 1944

A Cromwell tank of 2nd Northamptonshire Yeomanry, 11th Armoured Division, driving through Vassy, 15th August 1944.

Black-and-white photo of the ruined church and village of Cagny, Normandy, on 19 July 1944, with Sherman tanks among the rubble and a soldier walking towards the camera
1944

Cagny, Normandy, 1944

A scene of destruction in the village of Cagny, 19 July 1944. Two Sherman ARVs arrive to recover a disabled Sherman tank.