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Omaha Beach on D-Day: A Hard-Won Victory with Alexander Wilson

Omaha Beach on D-Day: A Hard-Won Victory with Alexander Wilson


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

On the dawn of June 6, 1944 failure was not an option for the Allied Forces. The stakes were sky-high and the international war effort hung in the balance. Over 150,000 men crossed the channel from England in the pitch-black of the night to reach their 5 target beaches along 50-miles of French coastline. The American beach of Omaha looms large in the scope of this epic military operation, and here is the battleground this conversation will focus upon. 
“Bloody Omaha” has in many ways come to symbolize the magnitude and sacrifice of the Normandy landings mission in general. But what went wrong there? Why were the casualties so high? And how was the turnaround achieved? 
Our conversation will examine these questions and more, in the context of the beach itself, where the topography and many vestiges from WW2 can still today help better to understand one of the most dramatic and critical episodes of recent history
Omaha Beach is the largest of the five; it held the toughest terrain and the heaviest enemy defenses – Germany’s ‘Atlantic Wall’. The men of the 1st and the 29th US Infantry Divisions, both individually and collectively, displayed such extraordinary initiative and bravery that they ultimately managed to secure victory. Thus not only was Omaha beach finally secured but the day – "D-Day" as a whole operation – had been saved. 
Led by Alexander Wilson, local guide and historian who lives in a small fishing village at the eastern edge of Omaha sector (and whose late father landed as a British commando on Gold Beach on D-Day), this Context Conversation will also look to convey what an extraordinary destination the Normandy coastline is to visit in the future.

Alex Wilson, a History First from Oxford, has been living and working in France for 35 years. After running his own publishing company, he has been guiding in Normandy (and for Context) for the last ten years. While his interests extend from William the Conqueror through to the post-War reconstruction, his main focus is on WW2 and the Battle of Normandy.

Not suitable for children under age 13 (sensitive content).

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 10 reviews
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(10)
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C
Cynthia Richards (Waco, US)
Another tip top presentation!

This is a very detailed and highly recommended presentation for anyone interested in what was involved on that day. Using maps, many photos and strong topographical information, Mr Wilson told the history in a factual and touching manner.The planning and execution on that day was phenomenal. All of his presentations are recommended highly!

B
Barbara Moore (Brooklyn, US)

Very interesting talk, maps, and photos. My husband and I have been to the Normandy beaches, but we felt we learned so much more through this presentation than we had ever known before.

B
B. (Hatfield, GB)
Fascinating look at a troubled operation

A really great seminars. A good speaker with interesting family connections to the event, and a well laid-out presentation. Slightly too detailed in some areas, but overall well worth the time.

S
Sandra S -- Boston (Saugus, US)
Outstanding Review of the Events of 6/6/1944 at Omaha Beach

I thoroughly enjoyed Alexander Wilson's discussion about the preparation, initiation, outcomes, and significance of the Allied invasion at this particular Normandy beach. It was so detailed, enlightening, impactful. I had taken his 5 part, "Normandy: A Multipart Journey", in Feb 2022 and learned so much. This more focused seminar on one part of that journey related so many facts. His diagrams and old and current photos enhanced the presentation, for sure. Now, I really understand the events and appreciate even more the immense coordination involved in this vital hard-won victory!

J
John (Chevy Chase, US)

I would give Alexander a 10 star rating if possible. His was a truly first-class lecture in all respects. Through the use of photos, hand-generated maps and explanation, Alexander presented D Day on Omaha Beach in an impressively granular manner.

Customer Reviews

Based on 10 reviews
100%
(10)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
C
Cynthia Richards (Waco, US)
Another tip top presentation!

This is a very detailed and highly recommended presentation for anyone interested in what was involved on that day. Using maps, many photos and strong topographical information, Mr Wilson told the history in a factual and touching manner.The planning and execution on that day was phenomenal. All of his presentations are recommended highly!

B
Barbara Moore (Brooklyn, US)

Very interesting talk, maps, and photos. My husband and I have been to the Normandy beaches, but we felt we learned so much more through this presentation than we had ever known before.

B
B. (Hatfield, GB)
Fascinating look at a troubled operation

A really great seminars. A good speaker with interesting family connections to the event, and a well laid-out presentation. Slightly too detailed in some areas, but overall well worth the time.

S
Sandra S -- Boston (Saugus, US)
Outstanding Review of the Events of 6/6/1944 at Omaha Beach

I thoroughly enjoyed Alexander Wilson's discussion about the preparation, initiation, outcomes, and significance of the Allied invasion at this particular Normandy beach. It was so detailed, enlightening, impactful. I had taken his 5 part, "Normandy: A Multipart Journey", in Feb 2022 and learned so much. This more focused seminar on one part of that journey related so many facts. His diagrams and old and current photos enhanced the presentation, for sure. Now, I really understand the events and appreciate even more the immense coordination involved in this vital hard-won victory!

J
John (Chevy Chase, US)

I would give Alexander a 10 star rating if possible. His was a truly first-class lecture in all respects. Through the use of photos, hand-generated maps and explanation, Alexander presented D Day on Omaha Beach in an impressively granular manner.