Sainte-Mère-l'Église

The original church dating from the 11th to 13th centuries was largely destroyed during WWII when it was bombed to repel German snipers who had entrenched themselves in the steeple. The modern stained glass window of the portal represents the air landing of American troops. The mannequin hanging from the end of his parachute hanging from the church spire recalls the tragic adventure of Private Steele, who was dropped on the night of June 6. For two hours, he pretended to be dead, while the alarm bells kept ringing below him.

The robust church building from the 11th to 13th centuries was destroyed during the war when it was shelled to repel German snipers who had entrenched themselves in the bell tower. The modern stained glass window in the portal depicts the airborne landing of the American troops. A doll on the spire recalls the tragic adventure of Private Steele, who was dropped on the night of June 6, but his parachute caught on the spire. For two hours he pretended to be dead, while the alarm bell rang continuously below him.

Historic church famous for its life-size WW II parachutist puppet hanging from its tower in memory of the adventurous events during the 1944 D-Day liberation struggle.
It also sports intricate medieval stained glass windows, though these take a backseat behind the focus on the puppet dangling in front ...