THE DEVASTATION OF NORTHERN FRANCE IN WAR AND PEACE:
Photos taken in northern France in 1944 show the devastating impact of the Allied Force's battle to defeat the Nazis in World War 2 the devastation in northern France after the D-Day landings
The battle-scared landscapes of Normandy in northwest France are sharply brought into focus in a series of never-before-published color images taken in the aftermath of the D-Day landings on June 6 1944.
The five images were finally published earlier this month by LIFE.com to mark the 69th anniversary of the landings, a significant moment in World War 2 which resulted in the Allied liberation of Western Europe from Nazi Germany’s control.
The pictures show allied soldiers shifting through the rubble of buildings reduced to dust and entire towns destroyed by intense warfare with the Nazis.
American troops clear wreckage in Saint-Lô in this previously unpublished photographs taken in Normandy following the D-Day landings
American troops pose for a photograph amongst the ruins of northern France in the summer of 1944
Vehicles and supplies are unloaded from an LST (landing ship, tank) at a Normandy beachhead
The images were the work of LIFE photographer Frank Scherschel (1907-1981), who was an award-winning staff photographer for LIFE well into the 1950s.
On June 6, 1944, some 156,000 American, British and Canadian forces, led by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, landed on five beaches along a 50-mile stretch of the heavily fortified coast of France’s Normandy region.
By late August 1944, all of northern France had been liberated, and by the following spring the Allies had defeated the Germans. The Normandy landings have been called the beginning of the end of war in Europe.
'The tide has turned. The free men of the world are marching together to victory!' Eisenhower said in an historic address after the invasion was launched.
Veterans of the 1944 Normandy landings gathered earlier this month on June 6 at the site of history's largest amphibious invasion for a day of ceremonies marking D-Day's 69th anniversary.
Around two dozen U.S. vets, some in their old uniforms pinned with medals, stood and saluted during a wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial overlooking Omaha Beach, where a U.S. cemetery holds the remains of over 9,000 Americans, including many who died during the vicious battle to storm the French shore under withering Nazi fire.
Soldiers driving through the ruins of an unnamed town somewhere in northwestern France in the summer of 1944
A destroyed town in northwest France, the Normandy landings have been called the beginning of the end of war in Europe
These are other images that have been previously published of the devastation in northern France in 1944
American soldiers watch U.S. Army jeeps drive through the ruins of Saint-Lô, the town was almost totally destroyed by 2,000 Allied bombers when they attacked German troops stationed there during Operation Overlord in June 1944
A civilians couple walk through ruins of the heavily bombed ruins in the city of Saint-Lô, France, August 1944
Children watch an American Army jeep driving through the ruins of Saint-Lô
An American ambulance, a jeep and a truck are driving through the ruins of Saint-Lô, which was almost totally destroyed by 2,000 Allied bombers when they attacked German troops stationed there
Nuns and some children look on at the ruins of an almost totally destroyed church
Veterans of the 1944 Normandy landings gathered earlier this month on June 6 for a day of ceremonies marking D-Day's 69th anniversary
A Normandy Veteran looks at the headstones of fallen comrades at a remembrance and wreath laying ceremony to commemorate the start of the D-Day landings at Bayeux War Cemetery on June 6, 2013 in Bayeux, France
River Seine nearly bursting its banks as Paris suffers worst floods in 100 years and Louvre museum cellars are emptied for first time since WW2
- Parisians urged to avoid banks of the river Seine and Louvre museum shuts doors to evacuate priceless artwork
- Asian couple posed by flooded banks of the river after getting married in the normally picturesque French capital
- Horserider swept away to his death by flood water near capital as deadly floods wreak havoc in France and Germany
- Pensioner found dead in flood-hit German town of Simbach am Inn while roads and houses have been swept away
- See more of the latest Paris flood news and updates as the River Seine rises to its highest level in three decades
Paris is suffering the worst flooding in more than 100 years today forcing the Louvre to evacuate 250,000 pieces of art to safety from its basements.
Elsewhere torrential rain had killed 14 across Europe and The Louvre, the most visited gallery in the world containing masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa, has been forced to close to protect its treasures.
Its cellars were cleared of artefacts for the first time since the Nazi Occupation during the Second World War as the French capital prepared for water levels rivalled only by the Great Flood of Paris of 1910 when the centre of the city was brought to a standstill.
Even the Arc de Triomphe at the end of the Champs Elysee was closed after managers feared heavy rainfall on top threatened the 50metre high structure, which was inaugurated in 1836.
This nighttime view of the Eiffel Tower shows how the level of the River Seine is nearing the level of one of Paris' many bridges
These contrasting images show the normal level of the Seine (top) which has now swollen and officials say it is still rising
But the extreme weather was unable to prevent the course of true love as an Asian couple tied the knot in the most unusual circumstances.
The pair were photographed posing next to the normally picturesque river Seine, despite Parisians being urged to avoid its banks as water was expected to reach a peak of 19ft.
They shared a passionate kiss and stood with the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop as the clear signs of flooding were present all around them.
The River Seine was expected to rise to six metres above its normal level on Friday, with more heavy rain expected over the weekend.
Wet wedding: An Asian couple proved the extreme weather was unable to prevent the course of true love after they tied the knot in Paris today
Quite the occasion: The couple were photographed sharing a kiss alongside the river Seine, despite Parisians being urged to avoid its banks
Red-alert: Parisians have been urged to avoid the banks of the river Seine which was expected to reach a peak of 19ft on Friday
The Louvre, the most visited gallery in the world containing masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa, has been forced to close to protect its treasures while work is underway to move some of its artwork
Boxes containing valuable artworks from the Louvre reserves are stored among statues in one of the museum's exhibition rooms after they were evacuated from the basement amid flooding fears
The rain-swollen River Seine in Paris reached its highest level in three decades Friday, spilling its banks. Residents are pictured being rescued in Nemours, Paris
A swollen River Seine, which had burst its banks in some areas close to the Eiffel Tower, which was also shrouded in cloud
Days of torrential rain have only added to the gloomy atmosphere in France, also facing a third full day of train strikes after months of protests and political turmoil
Freak weather has caused disaster all over Europe, with at least 14 people killed in the last week alone, including one person in France and 10 in Germany.
A spokesman for the Louvre said: 'The aim is to take works situated in areas vulnerable to flooding to safety by moving them to higher floors.' Its collection includes the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, Michelangelo's Slaves, and some of the greatest treasures of the ancient Egypt.
Seine tourist cruises have also been cancelled until further notice, along with Metro stations such as St Michel, close to Notre Dame Cathedral. Many of the fabled walkways along the banks of the Seine have also been closed.
Paris was not the only part of France affected either. The 16th century Chateau de Chambord in the Loire Valley was closed, and treasures evacuated, after the river next to it broke its banks.
While the Louvre's most famous painting, Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa,' was safe on an upper floor, officials said about 250,000 artworks were located in flood-risk areas, mostly in basement storerooms
Plastic boxes containing artworks are placed for safe-keeping in an exhibition hall at the Musee de Louvre which is closed
Safe-keeping: Priceless items were lifted to safety amid fears water would seep into the basement of the famous museum
Rescue bid: French officials say it's too early to say when the Louvre and other cultural heritage sites affected by the flooding will open
The Louvre, which is on the right bank of the Seine, and the Orsay Museum, on the left, were closed Thursday following fears that the rising water levels would lead to leaks
A spokesman for the British Embassy in Paris advised visitors to avoid flood-hit areas, and to check travel advice.
The flooding comes during a nationwide industrial dispute, which has seen strike action everywhere, including on trains and buses, and fuel supplies run low.
Elsewhere in France, a man on horseback died after he was swept away in a swollen river in Evry-Gregy-sur-Yerre, southeast of Paris, local authorities said today.
And in Germany, a 65-year-old man was found dead in the flood-hit town of Simbach am Inn, bringing the total death toll in the country this week to ten.
Ten people have been killed in Germany and two in Romania, while a bee-keeper died in Belgium while trying to protect his hives from the floods, local authorities in the Nassogne region said.
Boxes containing valuable artworks from the Louvre reserves are being stored among statues in one of the museum's exhibition room
Tourists at the Louvre are being turned away as museum workers scramble to protect the world-famous institution's priceless pieces of art from the rising waters of the Seine River
Other museums and cultural institutions have also been closed across France, including the renowned castles of Chambord and Azay-le-Rideau
The Louvre Museum is closed Friday as staff work to remove artworks from rooms threatened by the rising waters
Boxes were lined up near the Venus de Milo in museum's Department of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities room
France's Prime Minister Manuel Valls says ministers are meeting in Paris and the government has activated a crisis cell as the country faces the prospect of continued flooding
Louvre Director Jean-Luc Martinez said the museum's artwork was in no immediate danger but that the museum needed about 72 hours of lead time to begin evacuating its reserve
A spokesman for the Louvre, which evacuated itscellars for the first time since the Nazi Occupation during the Second World War said: 'The aim is to take works situated in areas vulnerable to flooding tosafety by moving them to higher floors'
Days of torrential rain have only added to the gloomy atmosphere in France, also facing a third full day of train strikes after months of protests and political turmoil.
Some 20,000 people have been evacuated from their homes across the country in operations involving thousands of firefighters, military personnel and other officials
France's Prime Minister Manuel Valls says ministers are meeting in Paris and the government has activated a crisis cell as the country faces the prospect of continued flooding.
THE ZOUAVE STATUE AND ITS ENDLESS BATTLE WITH THE RISING FLOODWATERS OF THE RIVER SIENE
The Zouave statue, which stands below the Alma bridge, was installed to commemorate the soldiers of France's African regiments that took part in the 19th century Crimean War, where the Battle of Alma was the first major victory.
But for more than a century Parisians have used the gallant solider as a novel way to measure the rising Seine when floodwaters have hit the French capital.
On Friday people in the city flocked to snap a picture of the waters reaching the statue's hips as floods swelled the river more than 19ft 8ins above normal levels.
It is a rare sight, as the last time the Zouave faced any sort of turmoil was in 2010, when mild flooding brought water to its toes.
This is nothing! The last time the Zouave statue faced any sort of turmoil was in 2010, when mild flooding brought water to its toes. While in 1910 flood water reached its neck
But is not quite as severe as the greatest peril faced by the soldier, which came in 1910 as record floods saw the river rise up to its neck.
The stone bridge that forms the Zouave's pedestal was originally built for Napoleon III in 1856, but was rebuilt in the 1970s and replaced with a metal bridge.
In the process, the soldier was raised several centimetres, said Simon Carrage, an urban architect.
He says beating the 1910 record would now only require water to reach the tip of the soldier's beard.
While the Zouave remains the popular choice for measuring the Seine's swells, the authorities prefer to use the Austerlitz bridge.
But perhaps that is not as reliable as they would wish, since an apparent equipment fault led to the river's depth being wrongly measured for several hours on Friday.
President Francois Hollande has said that a 'natural disaster' will be formally declared next week in a Cabinet meeting for areas most affected.
Environment Minister Segolene Royal said she feared more bodies would be found as waters recede in French villages which have seen main streets turned into muddy rivers.
While the Louvre's most famous painting, Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa,' was safe on an upper floor, officials said about 250,000 artworks were located in flood-risk areas, mostly in basement storerooms. The art was hastily being moved upstairs - a move officials described as precautionary.
France's prime minister says ministers are meeting in Paris and the government has activated a crisis cell as the country faces the prospect of continued flooding
French environment officials say the Seine River will reach its maximum level late Friday as rainfall across the country begins to taper off
French energy company Enedis says that more than 20,000 customers are without power in the wake of days of flooding and heavy rains
Traffic in the capital was snarled as flooding choked roads and several Paris railway stations were shut. The country's environment ministry said the Seine had not reached such levels since 1982
French President Francois Hollande has said that a 'natural disaster' will be formally declared next week in a Cabinet meeting for areas most affected by the flooding that has hit Paris and France's central regions
A traffic sign stands in a flooded road in Paris. Both the Louvre and Orsay museums were closed as the Seine, which officials said was at its highest level in nearly 35 years, was expected to peak sometime later today
The Orsay museum, on the left bank of the Seine, was also closed Friday to prepare for possible flooding along with Paris' National Library.
A spokeswoman at the Louvre said museum had not taken such precautions in its modern history - since its 1993 renovation at the very least. She spoke on condition of anonymity in line with the museum's policy.
French officials say it's too early to say when the Louvre and other cultural heritage sites affected by the flooding will open.
French Culture Minister Audrey Azouley told journalists she and others were evaluating the situation 'nearly hour-by-hour as we don't know yet the evolution of the level of the Seine River.'
Some towns in central France have been hit by their worst floods in over a century, with more than 5,000 people evacuated since the weekend and around 19,000 homes without power.
In Paris, officials were erecting emergency flood barriers along the Seine and a suburban train line running alongside the river was closed.
Some towns in central France have been hit by their worst floods in over a century, with more than 5,000 people evacuated since the weekend and around 19,000 homes without power. This was the scene in Paris yesterday
Flooding caused by the rise of the Seine river in Paris, France. The 'Ile de France' Region and Paris are particularly affected by heavy flooding after the torrential rains in recent days
The Seine, which officials said was at its highest level in nearly 35 years, was expected to peak sometime later on Friday
Cars parked under the Asnieres bridge were submerged in the wake of the heavy rains in Asnieres, a northern suburb of Paris
Residents and visitors to Paris were unable to go for a stroll along the banks of the River Seine as flooding cut off pavements and roads
The Bir Hakeim bridge in central Paris close to the Eiffel Tower saw water creep up as the flood waters threatened the French capital
The riverbanks are home to both the Louvre - the world's most visited museum - and the Musee d'Orsay, which was also preparing for the worst.
The Musee d'Orsay, a converted railway station which hosts the world's greatest Impressionist collection, closed early Thursday and was to move its most vulnerable works to upper floors.
While the river's swelling has so far caused little damage in Paris and is unlikely to submerge the city centre, public information boards urged those living near the Seine to clear out their basements.
Rescuers in the Parisian suburb of Longjumeau were paddling up streets in lifeboats, while in the town of Montargis, only the tops of cars could be seen peeking above the surface.
Forecasters in both France and Germany have warned of more downpours over the next 24 hours.
HOW DREAM HOLIDAYS TO THE CITY OF LIGHT ENDED IN A GLOOMY WRITE-OFF FOR BELEAGUERED TOURISTS
The trappings of a dream Paris holiday - a visit to the Louvre, cruising the Seine under the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower - have been drowned under torrential rainfall this week.
With floodwaters breaching the banks of the Seine river, tourists have been greeted by thick grey clouds and emergency closures at must-see destinations in the latest crisis to hit the City of Light.
'We only have a day and a half here and we were going to go the Louvre today and we were going to go on the boat cruise for dinner tonight, and they were both cancelled,' said Elle Yarborough, an English teacher visiting from Boston in the United States with her husband Joseph.
'But we're still happy to be in Paris - we've never been before,' she added, cheerily.
Two Scottish sisters, Alison and Susan McSheaffrey, said they were 'very disappointed' to find the riverside Musee d'Orsay closed as part of the emergency measures.
'We are in Paris for the 70th birthday of our father and he is very disappointed too, because he loves Impressionism,' said Alison.
With floodwaters breaching the banks of the Seine river, tourists have been greeted by thick grey clouds and emergency closures at must-see destinations in the latest crisis to hit the City of Light
Parisians pulled off the road and joggers stopped in their tracks to take pictures of the swollen river. Tourists are pictured outside the closed Orsay museum
Nearby, Parisians pulled off the road and joggers stopped in their tracks to take pictures of the swollen river, as its muddy waters carried off branches and debris, and sightseeing boats were replaced by firemen whizzing past on speedboats.
The water skimmed the city's iconic stone bridges, drowning walkways which at this time of year are usually the reserve of picnicking Parisians.
Some locals saw the freak weather as a chance to get philosophical.
'It's beautiful. It is a reminder that nature is more powerful than man and we cannot do anything, only wait,' said Gabriel Riboulet, a 26-year-old entrepreneur, as he pulled his bicycle over to take a picture.
Others were more concerned, such as Pascal Derby, 62, who works at a bank along the river.
'It is worrying,' he said as he took a photograph of the water rushing under a bridge.
His employers have restricted parking in the basement of the bank. In a city where much of the parking is underground, floods can be particularly deadly for motorists.
Experts are moving about 250,000 artworks from the basement of the Louvre amid flooding fears as the Seine reaches 19ft
Derby said the bank had installed massive pumps in the basement two years ago, as many have feared a flood like the great deluge of 1910 was long overdue.
In March, the city of Paris carried out days of exercises to prepare for such an event.
'It is sad, I keep thinking of the people in the suburbs. It must be terrible for them, many of them don't have a lot of money, it is a real catastrophe,' he told AFP, referring to riverside towns to the south of Paris which have borne the brunt of the flooding.
But some tourists said they had seen worse back home.
'I'm taking photos to send to my parents in China, but over there they have enormous floods at the moment,' said Coco Wu, 40, as she walked across the Alma Bridge near the Eiffel Tower.
Nonetheless, the floods are yet another crisis for a city that has been hit by a grim run of turmoil in recent months - from last year's terrorist attacks, to a spate of often violent labour protests.
'It is really bad, we don't need this now with all the constant strikes, the Vigipirate plan,' said Derby, referring to the high alert imposed after the terror attacks.
'All the authorities are stretched - the police, firemen - we need to honour them. It is a nightmare.'
French President Francois Hollande said a state of 'natural catastrophe' would be declared when the cabinet meets next Wednesday, a necessary step to trigger compensation payments.
Several towns in southern Germany have been devastated by flooding.
In Simbach am Inn, the force of the water swept away the entire stock of a sawmill, leaving huge stacks of splintered wood blocking roads.
On one street, a car could be seen parked vertically against the wall of a house, pushed there by the floodwaters. Many other vehicles lay flipped over on roads blanketed by mud.
This NASA MODIS satellite shows the large low pressure system currently causing severe flooding in many parts of France, Austria and Germany
The French government said in a statement Friday that 'there should be impacts upstream from Paris' and 'possible evacuations'
The subway of Paris is not running as water rises near the area of the Louvre Museum and the Seine river's embankments overflow
An aerial view of the capital shows how the water levels in the Seine have risen to critical levels. The city has been put on high flooding alert
Six people have been killed in the Simbach area, including three women from the same family - a mother, grandmother and daughter - who had been trapped in their house.
Two other elderly people were also found dead in their homes.
'The (rise in) water was so quick that practically no residents had the time to run away,' police spokesman Armin Angloher said.
The deaths bring the toll from the floods in Germany to 10, including four killed earlier this week in the southern region of Baden-Wuerttemberg.
Three others are missing, a police spokesman in Bavaria state said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her thoughts were with the families 'who have been plunged into this devastation'.
German authorities say asylum-seekers are pitching in to help recovery workers and townspeople in flooded areas of southern states.
Scores of homes have been flooded in the town of Nemours south of Paris. The interior ministry says 20,000 people have been evacuated from their homes across France in operations involving thousands of firefighters, military personnel and other officials
A combination of pictures created shows how a car gradually became submerged by flood water from the river Seine
Tourists unable to get into museums and attractions instead spent time taking pictures of the rising flood waters
Cars stand in muddy water in a flooded area of the town of Nemours south of Paris. Thousands have been evacuated across France
Rescue workers from the French 'Securite Civile' on small boats attend an evacuation operation for residents of the edge of the Seine river in Juvisy-sur-Orge, near Paris
The flooding comes during a nationwide industrial dispute, which has seen strike action everywhere, including on trains and buses, and fuel supplies run low
In Simbach am Inn, Syrian Naja Al Hassas told the dpa news agency that 'we know what it means to live in a crisis area and to lose your home' as he helped shovel away rubble.
The 30-year-old was one of about 25 Syrians helping in the town. His friend, Mouath, said 'we've had so much help from the people in Simbach, now we can give something back and that's good.'
Simbach Mayor Klaus Schmid says 'we couldn't cope without volunteer helpers.'
Authorities say nearly 50 asylum-seekers have also been helping out in the southwestern town of Braunsbach, which was flooded on Sunday.
Meanwhile, rescue workers in Belgium have found the body of a beekeeper who was swept away by rising waters while trying to protect his hives.
Forecasters in both France and Germany have warned of more downpours over the next 24 hours. This was the scene after floods in Simbach, Bavaria
Devastation: Roads collapsed and cars were swept away as rivers burst their banks and floodwater swamped towns. A collapsed road is pictured in Simbach
The clean-up operation is underway in the German town of Simbach after floodwater spread a thick layer of mud over roads, gardens and parks
The man was reported missing in the village of Harsin on Thursday. Local authorities said the man, in his 60s, was found on Friday morning after fire department divers resumed the search for him.
After days of heavy rain, the Wamme river overflowed its banks and flooded several villages. Homes were inundated and cars swept away.
In Romania authorities have extended a severe flood warning for nine parts of the country's east as rains are swelling rivers in the region.
The National Hydrology Institute said Friday that the highest 'red' weather alert was valid until Saturday at 11am in nine Romanian counties.
Authorities issued a lesser 'amber' warning for floods for a larger area of eastern Romania.
Ten trains were cancelled on Friday in northeastern Romania due to the flooding, which has claimed two lives.
People wade behind a mud-covered car on a flooded road near Nassogne, in the Ardenne region of southern Belgium this morning
A man wades through muddy water in Belgium after heavy rain sparked flooding around the burst banks of a river
No comments:
Post a Comment