D-Day June 6th 1944 – Battlefield Cant: Normandy

by davidbrommer

Omaha Beach- Dog Green Sector. " I started out to cross the beach with thirty-five me and only six got to the top, that's all. 2nd Lt. Bob Eldin

Omaha Beach- Dog Green Sector.
” I started out to cross the beach with thirty-five me and only six got to the top, that’s all.”
2nd Lt. Bob Eldin

Battlefield Cant Project

Battlefield n. the field  or ground on which a battle is fought.

Cant n. the phraseology peculiar to a particular class, party, profession

“Battlefield Cant” are a series of photographs from the European battlefields of WW2 and prose from the soldiers who fought there.

The heroic deeds of the landings at Normandy and the Allied triumph of WW2 are the defining moment of a dying generation. I have a keen interest in what remains of these sacred locations, both in images & words. In April of 2011 I began the project “Battlefield Cant” and visited the Normandy D-Day landing beaches and battlefields photographing with my trusty wooden 8×10 camera.

The Rangers looked up and saw the enemy soldiers -- the edge of the cliffs shooting down at them with machineguns and throwing grenades. And the American Rangers began to climb. They shot rope ladders over the face of these cliffs and began to pull themselves up. When one Ranger fell, another would take his place. When one rope was cut, a Ranger would grab another and begin his climb again. They climbed, shot back, and held their footing. Soon, one by one, the Rangers pulled themselves over the top, and in seizing the firm land at the top of these cliffs, they began to seize back the continent of Europe. Two hundred and twenty-five came here. After 2 days of fighting, only 90 could still bear arms. Ronal Reagan at the dedication of the Memorial.

The Rangers looked up and saw the enemy soldiers — the edge of the cliffs shooting down at them with machineguns and throwing grenades. And the American Rangers began to climb. They shot rope ladders over the face of these cliffs and began to pull themselves up. When one Ranger fell, another would take his place. When one rope was cut, a Ranger would grab another and begin his climb again. They climbed, shot back, and held their footing. Soon, one by one, the Rangers pulled themselves over the top, and in seizing the firm land at the top of these cliffs, they began to seize back the continent of Europe. Two hundred and twenty-five came here. After 2 days of fighting, only 90 could still bear arms. Ronal Reagan at the dedication of the Memorial.

Point Du Hoc- Three companies of Rangers landed by sea at the foot of the cliffs, and scaled them using ropes, ladders, and grapples under German fire, and engaged the enemy at the top of the cliff and destroyed the artillery that threatened the other beaches.

Point Du Hoc- Three companies of Rangers landed by sea at the foot of the cliffs, and scaled them using ropes, ladders, and grapples under German fire, and engaged the enemy at the top of the cliff and destroyed the artillery that threatened the other beaches.

View through the dunes of Utah Beach

View through the dunes of Utah Beach

Sherman M4 Tread Detail Sherman Treads- The M4 Sherman tank is the classic armor unit of American forces. Fast, agile, and in abundance it would prove to be delicate yet effective in ensuring allied victory. It earned the nick name, Ronson after the cigarette lighter company due to the unfortunate way it would easily explode and burn from taking hits.

Sherman M4 Tread Detail
Sherman Treads- The M4 Sherman tank is the classic armor unit of American forces. Fast, agile, and in abundance it would prove to be delicate yet effective in ensuring allied victory. It earned the nick name, Ronson after the cigarette lighter company due to the unfortunate way it would easily explode and burn from taking hits.

Mary of the Bullitt- a glass enclosed statue of the Virgin Mary posed with her hand across her heart got caught in the cross fire of Germans and American paratroopers fighting it out in the church of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. Notice the bullitt hole that remains as evidence of the short fire fight.

Mary of the Bullitt- a glass enclosed statue of the Virgin Mary posed with her hand across her heart got caught in the cross fire of Germans and American paratroopers fighting it out in the church of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. Notice the bullitt hole that remains as evidence of the short fire fight.

Batteries of Longues Sur Mer- Four batteries on the Norman Coast had to be eliminated for the invasion so the Allies tasked the Air Force to bomb them into submission. However the Germans built them to last, and it came down to a naval duel with battleships to force the surrender of the Germans manning the guns.

Batteries of Longues Sur Mer- Four batteries on the Norman Coast had to be eliminated for the invasion so the Allies tasked the Air Force to bomb them into submission. However the Germans built them to last, and it came down to a naval duel with battleships to force the surrender of the Germans manning the guns.

View from the German bunkers overlooking the beaches.

View from the German bunkers overlooking the beaches.

Brecourt Manor- This is a photograph of the site that Easy Company of the 101st Airborne assaulted 4 artillery batteries. The short battle is often cited as a classic example of small-unit tactics and leadership in overcoming a larger enemy force.

Brecourt Manor- This is a photograph of the site that Easy Company of the 101st Airborne assaulted 4 artillery batteries. The short battle is often cited as a classic example of small-unit tactics and leadership in overcoming a larger enemy force.

Mary of the Bullitt- a glass enclosed statue of the Virgin Mary posed with her hand across her heart got caught in the cross fire of Germans and American paratroopers fighting it out in the church of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. Notice the bullitt hole that remains as evidence of the short fire fight.

Mary of the Bullitt- a glass enclosed statue of the Virgin Mary posed with her hand across her heart got caught in the cross fire of Germans and American paratroopers fighting it out in the church of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. Notice the bullitt hole that remains as evidence of the short fire fight.

Today, June 6th 2015 marks the 71st Anniversary of the start of the battle to retake France and defeat the German Third Reich. Suspect Photography salutes the men who sacrificed their lives to so that we may live free today.

View of Omaha Beach through the ground glass of the Deardorff 8x10 camera with 8 1/4" Dagor Lens.

View of Omaha Beach through the ground glass of the Deardorff 8×10 camera with 8 1/4″ Dagor Lens.