If there’s one thing that Europe has in abundance, it’s natural beauty. Her mountains, valleys, forests, and beaches have delighted travellers through the ages. But they have also played strategic roles during a time when the world was at war.
Today, we venture beyond the beaches to the hidden WWII sites across Europe.
Normandy’s Pointe du Hoc: Scaling the Cliffs of History
The name Normandy will forever be associated with the events of D-Day, when Allied forces stormed these shores in Northwestern France to oppose the occupying Nazi forces.
Pointe du Hoc is a promontory with a 110-foot (35 metres) cliff overlooking the English Channel. Because of its prominent position along the coast, it was chosen as the location for a series of German bunkers and machine gun posts.
And this made it a focal point of the US forces’ assault launched on 6 June 1944. Despite the heavy enemy fortifications, U.S. Army Rangers bravely scaled the cliff and captured Pointe du Hoc. This strategic move allowed them greater odds of success in their beach landing campaign.
Because of its ties to WWII history, many tour operators offer WWII-specific tours to Normandy. But for a glimpse beyond the beaches, we recommend a Band of Brothers Tour.
From Normandy’s beach landing sites to other iconic WWII sites in Normandy and throughout Europe, every Band of Brothers tour is a memorable experience.
Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest: Secrets of the Bavarian Alps
Kehlsteinhaus, more commonly known as Hitler’s Eagles’ Nest, was built for the Führer atop the Obersalzberg mountain in the Bavarian Alps. Here, Hitler and the Nazi party held social gatherings and entertained visiting dignitaries.
This historic building still stands today. Who knows what still unknown secrets these walls contain? But although it will always be associated with the dark days of a world at war, it’s the ideal destination for some history with magnificent Alpine views.
Traveling alone in Germany can be exciting, but it can also be daunting when you’re over 40 and unused to solo travel. Our guide on how to prepare for your first solo trip in Germany will help. Or consider booking an all-inclusive Band of Brothers tour and make some new friends along the way.
Churchill War Rooms: Where the British Planned the Fight
Like all wars, World War II was not only about battle but also about strategy. Britain played a crucial role in both the battles and the strategic behind-the-scenes events of WWII.
But many of the secret war strategy meetings between Winston Churchill and his war cabinet were not held above ground. Instead, they took place in an underground bunker. Here, the British prime minister laid the plans that led Britain from the brink of defeat to certain victory.
Now known as the Churchill War Rooms, this WWII site is open to the public as one of five Imperial War Museums in the UK. World War II history enthusiasts can visit these war rooms in London daily except on Christmas.
Warsaw Uprising Museum: Poland’s Resistance Remembered
In August 1944, an underground resistance movement initiated the Warsaw uprising, intent on liberating the city from German occupation. Sadly, it was not successful and ended in tragedy for about 200,000 Poles.
But although they were massacred by the Nazi occupiers, those who were slaughtered during the Warsaw Uprising are remembered for their bravery and their resistance to tyranny. The Warsaw Uprising Museum is a tribute to those who fought for Poland’s freedom.
When you travel to Europe, you’ll find remnants of WWII history almost everywhere. So, while in Poland, take a trip to the country’s third-largest city, Łódź, and explore the Manufaktura center.
Known as the Manchester of Poland, Łódź was the industrial center of Poland in the later years of the 19th century. Sadly, the industrial complex suffered not only during WW I, but also during WWII when it was looted by the Nazis. In 2006, Manafaktura reopened as an arts, leisure, and shopping complex.
The Remagen Bridge: A Key to Germany’s Collapse
In early March 1945, American forces captured the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen, allowing the Allies an unexpected crossing over the Rhine. It was indeed a great victory for those who fought against the Nazi regime.
The Allies knew this bridge well. It was built for German transport during the First World War. Near the end of WWII hostilities, it was one of the few bridges left intact in the region. Capturing this route across the Rhine for the Allied forces proved to be an accelerating factor in Nazi Germany’s collapse.
The bridge no longer stands, but the towers on either side still do. This is also the site of the Peace Museum.
