Practice landing at Point Beach State Forest on Lake Michigan, June 6, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
MANITOWOC COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The sound of waves lapping at the beach, is a common sight along this Lake Michigan shoreline.
But in Two Rivers, the area has an additional connection to an invasion on the beaches thousands of miles away, in Normandy, France.
The date on the bottom of the black and white picture reads June 18, 1942.
“And actually looking at those photos, you would almost think it was Photoshopped. So it’s a little surreal, that that actually happened. Obviously there are some buildings that are not here anymore, that used to be,” said Erin Dembski-Rodriquez, Point Beach State Forest Superintendent.
Point Beach State Forest Superintendent Erin Dembski-Rodriguez is talking about the Rawley Point Lighthouse, and the stretch of sand to the lake.
“The significance, right here on this beach in front of the lighthouse, they did practice landings,” she said.
“They were doing invasion planning, and they needed as many ships and vessels that they could, to get all the equipment and men, and everything aboard foreign soil,” said Karen Duvalle, Wisconsin Maritime Museum Submarine Curator.
Wisconsin Maritime Museum Submarine Curator Karen Duvalle says during World War Two, Manitowoc Shipbuilding constructed 36 landing craft tanks. The 120-foot long LCTs delivered tanks, Jeeps, and troops to hostile shores. She says 13 participated in the D-Day Invasion, on June 6, 1944. Steve Carter’s dad Luther Carter was there.
“He had lied about his age to get in the Navy. So on D-Day, he was 16 years old. Manning a 20mm gun like the one is over here,” said Steve Carter, Titusville, Florida.
Carter’s dad survived the war. The efforts and impacts of the LCTs will be on display beginning Saturday at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc.
Back to the beach, Erin Dembski-Rodriguez says those who know what transpired at the beach, appreciate that history even more.
“People are very intrigued, and very interested. Because they didn’t realize that that actually happened right here,” she said.
Saturday’s exhibit at the museum is scheduled to be part of the permanent collection.
The photo at Point Beach State Forest is on display in the park’s office.
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