Hello, My name is Jonathan, i live in Normandy, FRANCE. I have a real interest in WWII as an historian amator of the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment. I'm Also practicing metal detector some times trying to make a correspondance between readings and reality. As an admirer of this regiment, i'm in touch with a lot of veterans families. Most of the veterans in knew are now gone unfortunatly. I'm honoring the grave of one of them named "Walter L CHOQUETTE" who was murdered on 06/11/1944 by troops of the 17th ss DV at Graignes (dpt50). I'm always looking for informations, and i was in this forum that you are using aerial photographs from dday andd other dates. The work made here is very impressive and complete, and all my congratulation for that. I'm very happy to be a part of it. Using this aerial photographies allows a precision work never achieved. And that's what i'm looking for my own researches about Water CHOQUETTE. In order to precise the history of graignes on dday, i was looking for aerials photographs of the hamlet but i never found till i discovered your website. So i'll need very soon you talents to learn me how to pick up some aerials and detail them. Hope to be helpull at any time, it will be a pleasure to discusss with you. Sincerly
Hi Jonathan, You are most welcome to the Forum and we will be pleased to help you in your research wherever possible. I am sure that members will benefit from your local knowledge also, so please feel free to add additional information or queries to any existing work underway or indeed to open your own threads. In relation to the use of metal detectors, can you please clarify the legal position in France pertaining to the use of these tools? I am of course referring to situations where the consent of the property owner has already been obtained. Regards, Pat
Welcome to the forum, Jonathan. I'm sure you will be pleased with the resources and assistance you will find in pursuing your research here. I read up a little on the 507th and it's activities at Graignes, and on Pvt. Walter L. Choquette. Quite interesting. In the film, "D-Day: The Secret Massacre", which I'm sure you have seen, the execution of a number of the 507th, who were taken from a church, is depicted. Apparently, some were bayoneted and thrown into a pond, while others were taken to another location where they were forced to dig a large pit, into which they were put after being shot. Was this the incident when Pvt. Choquette was killed? Just curious. Again, glad to have you with us. Charles
@Pat, i detect with only the permission of the owner. Many years this way and never got a problem. @DDAY HORSA, Choquette was injured during the jump (i got this element from a friend of him who was in the same plane). He spent most of his time at the medical post (church) with Surgeon Abraham SOPHIAN (CPT HQ3) who will be murdered on the road leading to Tribehou with Capt BOGGART. Walter CHOQUETTE'S body was found with those who received a single head shoot and buried in site. Aerial pictures could be helpfull (fox holes, path, defensse lines..) in this event to recreate the History of this event that is mainly unknown unfortunatly. @ SEAN, I live un upper Nomrandy but my parents live in Merville, just 300 meters from C-47 "SNAFU -SPECIAL" that i know PAT-ELIE here know very well. But most of my free time is spent in Graignes/Amfreville / Carentan sector
Thanks for the clarification Jonathan, Metal detecting in Ireland is forbidden by law so I take it from what you say that the French Government take a more pragmatic view Regards, Pat
Thanks Jonathan, This is good clarification for other readers who might be considering the use of metal detectors in Normandy. John and I are anxious that any such detecting done as a result of research carried out here on the Forum is done with the permission of the property owner and within the legal limitations imposed by French law. Regards, Pat
Welcome to the forums. Hmmm metal detecting around Chateau Bernaville could be interesting and maybe prove my theory of a German Tank Platoon on the grounds.
Welcome Jonathan. Looking forward to what you might be able to add to the forum. I hope you record your findings (GPS locations, drawings, basic archaeological principles). All details can be important and once an item is removed, that part of history is gone forever. Niels
Merci beaucoup Patrick. On se connais un peu de visu. j'ai travaillé sur le SNAFU avec Jean-Pierre lors de la phase restauration. J'étais passé il y a quelques temps au SNAFU pour voir le résultat assez impressionnant. Etant certainement un expert dans les photographies aériennes du site NCAP peux tu me dire si l'option des images zoomable est intéressante (20£ à l'année) ? Je voudrai acheter juste une ou deux photos, mais ne connaissant pas j'aurai aimé avoir l'avis d'un spécialiste en amont. Merci !
L'option est intéressante car elle te permet de visualiser vraiment les images au plus près.. par contre l'achat d'une photo en HD est à mon avis hors de prix (£90 si ma mémoire est bonne) et je ne te parle pas des droits à payer pour une utilisation commerciale
Hi Jonathan, The current NCAP price list is on their site here. A 1600dpi TIFF file will cost you £60 + a remote retrieval fee of £3.50 + VAT(Sales Tax) of £12.50 making a total of £76.20 / €95.73 / $126.07 I find there is rarely any additional resolution to be found in 1600dpi files so I am now only purchasing the 1200dpi versions. Hope this helps. Regards, Pat
Thanks to everybody for your help. Things are clearer for me now. Thanks you so much. Best regards Jonathan