Craig Allen returns to Ranville for the first time in two years
The pandemic has meant that my annual expedition to the commemoration events in Normandy has been curtailed for the past two years. This year, however, I was determined to return to the familiar surroundings of Ranville the first French village to be liberated on D-Day.
My personal connection with the place goes back to 1994 and the 50th Anniversary when I jumped onto the nearby World War Two Drop Zone alongside comrades from the 1st Battalion the Parachute Regiment. I returned for the 65th Anniversary as the regimental photographer to cover events and have been coming back ever since.
Now retired from the military, this visit promised to be a more relaxed affair as it marked the start of a two-week holiday in France. After Brexit and the pause in travelling imposed by Covid, I was careful to ensure I had all the correct paperwork, emergency triangle, yellow vest and breathalyser etc as specified by French law.
In the event, we were waved through at Ouistreham with only a brief check and our NHS Covid passports were only required on the British side. I usually bring my Land Rover Defender on these trips but with fuel prices soaring dro…
