The first village liberated by the Americans was St. Mere Eglise. This little village is much as it was seventy years ago. The film ‘The Longest Day’ starring Robert Mitchum and John Wayne featured the story that unfolded here.
Pfc John Steele made history when he, in the dark hours before daylight on June 6 descended into the town site where his parachute became entangled in the steeple of the church there. Hanging in plain view of the enemy, Steele was able to survive this battle, but was later killed in action later in the war.
This part of the movie was filmed on site here.
The church at St. Mere Eglise.
- The church at St. Mere Eglise. There is a mannequin hanging from a parachute on the steeple to commemorate John Steele’s famous landing.