Wn68 Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer Les Moulins
Monument to the Braves
Wn68 site overview
What to see
Located on the front at Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, this is one of the most visited spots on Omaha Beach thanks to the Les Braves sculpture which now stands on the beach where a series of defensive positions once linked to create a small strongpoint.
A large gun casemate was under construction but never completed but there were a mixture of beachfront Tobruks, trenches, and a Ringstand for a 5cm anti-tank gun backed by a long anti-tank ditch.
Further inland and now hidden behind the main road within the housing are several small remains of the complex including a double machine gun stand to the rear of the Widerstandsnest, a Tobruk, and a Bf246 type build to the west which once housed a 75mm anti-tank gun. These were located around the edge of a large storage depot where houses now stand.
The Les Braves sculpture was created by Anilore Banon to honour the courage of the men who landed on the beach in this sector, the 'sons, husbands and fathers, who endangered and often sacrificed their lives in the hope of freeing the French people'.
Les Braves consists of three elements:
The wings of Hope - so that the spirit which carried these men on June 6th, 1944 continues to inspire us, reminding us that together it is always possible to changing the future.
Rise, Freedom! - so that the example of those who rose against barbarity, helps us remain standing strong against all forms of inhumanity.
The Wings of Fraternity - so that this surge of brotherhood always reminds us of our responsibility towards others as well as ourselves. On June 6th, 1944 these men were more than soldiers, they were our brothers.