On D-Day, 6 June 1944, the 3rd Canadian Division of Major General Rod Keller was tasked with the mission to land on the beach coded Juno, corresponding to the towns of Graye, Courseulles, Bernières and Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer.Quite a few things went wrong that morning: the preliminary naval bombardments, for instance, were not very effective, and the stormy sea caused delays. Consequently, the German defenders, holed up in their bunkers, could offer serious resistance. Many landing crafts were hit by gunfire or damaged by underwater obstacles.The Canadian assault units nevertheless succeeded, with the support of tanks, to destroy the German positions one at a time. The fighting was particularly heavy at Bernières and even more so at Courseulles. This small port at the mouth of the Seulles was indeed heavily defended. It was, however, in Saint-Aubin that the fighting was fiercest: it took a good part of the day to neutralise a 50mm gun overlooking the beach and protected by field-fortifications (felled trees) blocking the narrow streets of the village.The village was only finally secured during the night. This resistance led to congestion at the few beach exits. Hampered by the build-up of vehicles, Canadian troops still managed to advance deep inland. Tolled at 961 casualties, including 319 killed, they made remarkable progress on D-Day. The next day, however, their advancement was cut short northwest of Caen by the arrival of German armoured reinforcements. <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-e_KLuBoTug?showinfo=0"></iframe>

Devolved to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Juno Beach stretched from Graye-sur-Mer to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer. On D-Day, despite the difficulties to neutralize some German strongpoints and a relatively high casualty rate, Canadian troops were able to penetrate deep inland before being blocked overnight northwest of Caen.

On D-Day, 6 June 1944, the 3rd Canadian Division of Major General Rod Keller was tasked with the mission to land on the beach coded Juno, corresponding to the towns of Graye, Courseulles, Bernières and Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer. Quite a few things went wrong that morning: The preliminary naval bombardments, for instance, were not very effective, and the stormy sea caused delays. Consequently, the German defenders, holed up in their bunkers, could offer serious resistance. Many landing crafts were hit by gunfire or damaged by underwater obstacles. The Canadian assault units nevertheless succeeded, with the support of tanks, to destroy the German positions one at a time.

The fighting was particularly heavy at Bernières and even more so at Courseulles. This small port at the mouth of the Seulles was indeed heavily defended. It was, however, in Saint-Aubin that the fighting was fiercest: It took a good part of the day to neutralize a 50 mm gun overlooking the beach and protected by field-fortifications (felled trees) blocking the narrow streets of the village. The village was only finally secured during the night.

This resistance led to congestion at the few beach exits. Hampered by the build-up of vehicles, Canadian troops still managed to advance deep inland. Tolled at 961 casualties, including 319 killed, they made remarkable progress on D-Day. The next day, however, their advancement was cut short northwest of Caen by the arrival of German armoured reinforcements.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e_KLuBoTug[/embed]

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Archives nationales du Canada / Le Mémorial de Caen

Juno Beach

Le Jour J, le 6 juin 1944, la 3e division canadienne du général Rod Keller reçut la mission de débarquer sur la plage portant le nom de code Juno, correspondant aux villes de Graye, Courseulles, Bernières et Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer.Certains événements prirent une mauvaise tournure ce matin-là : les bombardements navals préliminaires, par exemple, ne furent pas très efficaces et la mer démontée provoqua des retards. Par conséquent, la défense allemande, terrée dans ses bunkers, put offrir une solide résistance. De nombreuses barges de débarquement furent touchées par des tirs de canons ou endommagées par des obstacles sous-marins.Les unités d'assaut canadiennes finirent néanmoins par détruire les positions allemandes une par une avec le renfort de chars. Le combat fut particulièrement acharné à Bernières, et plus encore à Courseulles. Ce petit port à l'embouchure de la Seulles était effectivement lourdement défendu. Cependant, c'est à Saint-Aubin que le combat fut le plus violent : il fallut une bonne partie de la journée pour neutraliser un canon de 50 mm surplombant la plage et protégé par des fortifications de campagne (arbres abattus) qui bloquaient les rues étroites du village.Le village ne fut finalement sécurisé qu'au cours de la nuit. Cette résistance provoqua des encombrements aux sorties des plages. Freinées par l'accumulation de véhicules, les troupes canadiennes parvinrent malgré tout à s'enfoncer à l'intérieur des terres. Malgré 961 victimes, dont 319 morts, ces troupes firent une avancée remarquable le Jour J. Le jour suivant, cependant, leur avancée fut coupée nette au nord-ouest de Caen par l'arrivée des renforts armés allemands. W dniu D-Day, 6 czerwca 1944 r., 3. Kanadyjska Dywizja generała majora Roda Kellera otrzymała za zadanie wylądować na plaży o kryptonimie Juno, na wysokości miasteczek Graye, Courseulles, Bernières i Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer. Tego ranka sporo rzeczy nie poszło zgodnie z planem. Na przykład, ostrzał z morza okazał się niezbyt skuteczny, a sztorm na morzu powodował opóźnienia. W efekcie, broniący się Niemcy, skryci w bunkrach, mogli stawiać poważny opór. Wiele barek desantowych zostało trafionych ostrzałem artyleryjskim lub uszkodzonych na podwodnych przeszkodach. Mimo to, wsparte czołgami atakujące jednostki kanadyjskie likwidowały pozycje niemieckie jedna po drugiej. Szczególnie ciężkie walki toczono pod Bernières, a jeszcze cięższe pod Courseulles. Ten niewielki port przy ujściu rzeki Seulles był naprawdę silnie broniony. Jednakże najzacieklejsze walki miały miejsce w Saint-Aubin. Zneutralizowanie 50 mm działka obejmującego zasięgiem plażę i chronionego umocnieniami polowymi (ścięte drzewa), które blokowały najwęższe uliczki wsi, zajęło dobrą część dnia. Dopiero nocą wieś została ostatecznie opanowana. Opór spowodował powstawanie zatorów na kilku wyjściach z plaży. Mimo przeszkód w postaci spiętrzenia pojazdów, oddziałom kanadyjskim udało się wejść głęboko na ląd. Przy stratach rzędu 961 osób, w tym 319 zabitych, oddziały te pokonały godną podziwu trasę w dniu D-Day. Niestety, następnego dnia ich marsz został zatrzymany na północny zachód od Caen wskutek przybycia posiłków niemieckich w postaci oddziałów pancernych. Tijdens D-Day , op 6 juni 1944, kreeg de 3e Canadese Infanteriedivisie van generaal-majoor Rod Keller de opdracht te landen op het strand met de codenaam Juno, en op te rukken richting de steden Graye, Courseulles, Bernières and Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer. Een aantal zaken verliepen niet zo goed die ochtend: de bombardementen vanaf de schepen, voorafgaand aan de inval, waren niet zo effectief. En de ruwe zee veroorzaakte vertragingen bij de landingen. Hierdoor kon de Duitse verdediging, verscholen in bunkers, serieus weerstand bieden. Vele landingsvoertuigen werden door de artillerie geraakt of raakten beschadigd door obstakels onder water. De Canadese aanvalseenheden waren met de hulp van tanks desondanks succesvol in het een voor een opruimen van de Duitse stellingen. De gevechten rond Bernières waren bijzonder hevig, maar nog heviger was het rond Courseulles. Deze kleine haven aan de monding van de Seulles werd zwaar verdedigd. In Saint-Aubin waren de gevechten echter het hevigst: het kostte een groot deel van de dag om een 50 mm kanon, die het strand bestreek, uit te schakelen. De veldversterking was omgeven door gevelde bomen die de nauwe straten van het dorp blokkeerden. Pas tegen de nacht werd het dorp ingenomen. Deze tegenstand leidde tot een opstopping bij de spaarzame strandopgangen. Gehinderd door de files van voertuigen, slaagden de Canadese troepen er toch in ver landinwaarts door te dringen. Ten koste van 961 slachtoffers, waaronder 319 doden, boekten de Canadezen een opmerkelijke voortgang op D-Day. De opmars werd de volgende dag echter gestuit door de aankomst van Duitse gepantserde versterkingen ten noordwesten van Caen. Der sich von Graye-sur-Mer bis Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer erstreckende Juno Beach war der 3. kanadischen Infanteriedivision als Landungsküste zugewiesen worden. Am 6. Juni 1944, dem D-Day, konnten die kanadischen Truppen, trotz einiger Schwierigkeiten bei der Ausschaltung deutscher Verteidigungsposten und unter relativ hohen Verlusten, tief ins Landesinnere vorstoßen, bevor sie in der Nacht nordwestlich von Caen gestoppt wurden.
Am 6. Juni 1944, dem D-Day, wurde die 3. kanadische Division unter Generalmajor Rod Keller mit der Landung am Küstenabschnitt mit dem Decknamen Juno betraut, an dem die Städte Graye, Courseulles, Bernières und Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer liegen. An diesem Morgen lief nicht alles glatt. Das vorbereitende Bombardement beispielsweise war nicht sehr wirkungsvoll gewesen, und die stürmische See verursachte Verzögerungen. Die in ihren Bunkern verschanzten Deutschen konnten also noch heftigen Widerstand leisten. Viele Landungsboote wurden von Geschützfeuer getroffen oder durch Unterwasserhindernisse beschädigt. Dennoch gelang es den angreifenden kanadischen Soldaten, unterstützt von Panzern, die deutschen Stellungen nach und nach zu zerstören. Besonders erbittert waren die Gefechte in Bernières, und sogar noch heftiger in Courseulles. Dieser kleine Hafen an der Mündung der Seulles wurde verbissen verteidigt. Am erbittertsten waren die Kämpfe jedoch in Saint-Aubin. Es dauerte den Großteil des Tages, bis eine mit quer gelegten, die engen Straßen des Dorfes blockierenden Baumstämmen geschützte 50-mm Maschinengewehrstellung, die den Strand bestrich, außer Gefecht gesetzt war. Erst in der Nacht konnte die Ortschaft endgültig unter Kontrolle gebracht werden. Wegen dieses Widerstands stauten sich die nachrückenden Einheiten an den wenigen Ausgängen von der Küste. Trotz der Behinderungen durch den Fahrzeugstau konnten die kanadischen Truppen tief ins Hinterland vordringen und bemerkenswerte Geländegewinne erzielen. Sie hatten am D-Day 961 Opfer, darunter 319 Gefallene, zu verzeichnen. Am nächsten Tag wurde ihr Vormarsch nordwestlich von Caen durch das Eintreffen deutscher Verstärkungen in Form von Panzertruppen aufgehalten. Touristische Informationen In der Nähe von Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer, Digue Favreau, befindet sich ein Touristenbüro. Nel giorno del D-Day o sbarco in Normandia, il 6 giugno 1944, la 3a divisione canadese del maggior generale Rod Keller aveva il compito di sbarcare sulla spiaggia codificata Juno, corrispondente alle città di Graye, Courseulles, Bernières e Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer. Molte cose andarono storte quella mattina: i bombardamenti navali preliminari, per esempio, non furono molto efficaci, e il mare in tempesta causò ritardi. Di conseguenza, i difensori tedeschi, rintanati nei loro bunker, poterono opporre una seria resistenza. Molti mezzi da sbarco furono colpiti da colpi d'arma da fuoco o danneggiati da ostacoli subacquei. Le unità d'assalto canadesi riuscirono comunque, con il supporto dei carri armati, a distruggere le posizioni tedesche una alla volta. I combattimenti furono particolarmente pesanti a Bernières e ancora di più a Courseulles. Questo piccolo porto alla foce del Seulles era infatti pesantemente difeso. Fu tuttavia a Saint-Aubin che i combattimenti furono più accaniti: ci volle buona parte della giornata per neutralizzare un cannone da 50 mm che dominava la spiaggia ed era protetto da fortificazioni da campo (alberi abbattuti) che bloccavano le stradine del villaggio. Il villaggio venne infine messo in sicurezza solo durante la notte. Questa resistenza ha portato alla congestione delle poche uscite dalla spiaggia. Ostacolate dall'accumulo di veicoli, le truppe canadesi riuscirono comunque ad avanzare nell'entroterra. Con un bilancio di 961 vittime, di cui 319 uccisi, essi fecero notevoli progressi nel D-Day. Il giorno dopo, tuttavia, la loro avanzata fu interrotta a nord-ovest di Caen dall'arrivo dei rinforzi corazzati tedeschi. On D-Day, 6 June 1944, the 3rd Canadian Division of Major General Rod Keller was tasked with the mission to land on the beach coded Juno, corresponding to the towns of Graye, Courseulles, Bernières and Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer.Quite a few things went wrong that morning: the preliminary naval bombardments, for instance, were not very effective, and the stormy sea caused delays. Consequently, the German defenders, holed up in their bunkers, could offer serious resistance. Many landing crafts were hit by gunfire or damaged by underwater obstacles.The Canadian assault units nevertheless succeeded, with the support of tanks, to destroy the German positions one at a time. The fighting was particularly heavy at Bernières and even more so at Courseulles. This small port at the mouth of the Seulles was indeed heavily defended. It was, however, in Saint-Aubin that the fighting was fiercest: it took a good part of the day to neutralise a 50mm gun overlooking the beach and protected by field-fortifications (felled trees) blocking the narrow streets of the village.The village was only finally secured during the night. This resistance led to congestion at the few beach exits. Hampered by the build-up of vehicles, Canadian troops still managed to advance deep inland. Tolled at 961 casualties, including 319 killed, they made remarkable progress on D-Day. The next day, however, their advancement was cut short northwest of Caen by the arrival of German armoured reinforcements. <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-e_KLuBoTug?showinfo=0"></iframe>

 Juno Beach Plaża Juno Juno Beach Juno Beach Juno Beach Juno Beach

The American Military Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer is the most famous war cemetery in Normandy. The long lines of white marble Latin Crosses and Stars of David symbolise the sacrifices that the Allied nations - and here in particular the United States of America - have made for our freedom.The cemetery is an exceptional site, not in the least because of its impressive location dominating Omaha Beach, where the Americans suffered their worst losses. Great care has been given to its aesthetic qualities. Many elements combine to make a lasting impression: the half circle of columns, the elaborate statuary, the great reflecting pond, and the immaculate park enclosing the graves of 9387 American soldiers who died on D-Day and in other confrontations thereafter during the Battle of Normandy.A semi-circular wall on the east side of the Memorial shows the names of 1557 soldiers missing in action, men whose bodies were not found or not identified. Large maps and commentaries in the loggias explain the Allied operations in Normandy and Northwestern Europe. A vantage point offers a panoramic view of Omaha Beach and an orientation table clarifies the strategic movements during the first days of the invasion.Since 2007 a visitor centre welcomes visitors and sheds light on the course of the battles. Since the visit of U.S. president Jimmy Carter in 1978, the cemetery is an obligatory stop for American presidents and is often referred to by the American press when the two countries' foreign policies clash. A second American Cemetery in Normandy is situated just outside the town of Saint James.

The impressive American Military Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer contains the remains of 9.387 American soldiers who fell during the Battle of Normandy. The cemetery reflects and honors the sacrifices that the USA made for the liberation of Europe. From this point one can overlook Omaha Beach, the deadliest landing beach of Operation Overlord.

The American Military Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer is the most famous war cemetery in Normandy. The long lines of white marble Latin crosses and stars of David symbolize the sacrifices that the Allied nations - and here in particular the United States of America - have made for our freedom. The cemetery is an exceptional site, not in the least because of its impressive location dominating Omaha Beach, where the Americans suffered their worst losses.

Great care has been given to its esthetic qualities. Many elements combine to make a lasting impression: the half circle of columns, the elaborate statuary, the great reflecting pond, and the immaculate park enclosing the graves of 9.387 American soldiers who died on D-Day and in other confrontations thereafter during the Battle of Normandy. A semi circular wall on the east side of the Memorial shows the names of 1.557 soldiers missing in action, men whose bodies were not found or not identified.

Large maps and commentaries in the loggias explain the Allied operations in Normandy and Northwestern Europe. A vantage point offers a panoramic view of Omaha Beach and an orientation table clarifies the strategic movements during the first days of the invasion. Since 2007 a visitor center welcomes visitors and sheds light on the course of the battles.
Since the visit of U.S. president Jimmy Carter in 1978, the cemetery is an obligatory stop for American presidents, and is often referred to by the American press when the two countries’ foreign policies clash. A second American Cemetery in Normandy is situated just outside the town of Saint James.

Calvados tourisme

US Army

Normandy American Cemetery

Le cimetière américain de Colleville-sur-Mer est le plus célèbre cimetière militaire de Normandie. Les longues rangées de stèles de marbre blanc en forme de croix latine ou d'étoile de David symbolisent les sacrifices consentis par les pays alliés, et en particulier par les États-Unis, pour défendre notre liberté.Il s'agit d'un site exceptionnel, et pas seulement en raison de sa situation extraordinaire au-dessus de la plage d'Omaha Beach, sur laquelle les Américains ont subi leurs plus lourdes pertes. En effet, un grand soin a été porté à l'esthétique du lieu. De nombreux éléments rendent cette visite inoubliable : les colonnes disposées en demi-cercle, les détails des statues, le mémorial se reflétant dans le bassin, ou encore la pelouse impeccable où se trouvent les tombes de 9 387 soldats américains, tombés le Jour J ou lors des combats qui s'ensuivirent dans la Bataille de Normandie.Sur un mur en arc de cercle situé sur le côté est du mémorial figurent les noms de 1 557 soldats disparus au cours des combats, et dont les corps n'ont jamais pu être retrouvés ou identifiés. À l'intérieur du mémorial, d'immenses cartes accompagnées d'explications décrivent les différentes opérations des Alliés en Normandie et au nord-ouest de l'Europe. Un belvédère offre une vue panoramique sur la plage d'Omaha Beach, et les mouvements stratégiques des troupes au cours des premiers jours suivant le Débarquement sont illustrés sur une table d'orientation.Depuis 2007, le cimetière comprend également un centre d'accueil des visiteurs et offre un éclairage sur le déroulement des différentes batailles. Après la visite du président américain Jimmy Carter en 1978, le cimetière est devenu un passage obligé pour tous les présidents américains. La presse américaine y fait d'ailleurs souvent référence en cas de tensions entre la France et les États-Unis. Il existe par ailleurs un second cimetière militaire américain en Normandie, se trouvant juste à la sortie de la ville de Saint-James. Seiner ästhetischen Wirkung wurde besondere Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet. Viele Elemente verbinden sich zu einem bleibenden Eindruck: Die halbkreisförmige Säulenreihe, die kunstvolle Statue, das große Becken mit klarem Wasser, und der makellose Park, der die Gräber von 9.387 amerikanischen Soldaten umgibt, die am D-Day und bei den folgenden Gefechten der Schlacht um die Normandie ihr Leben ließen. Auf einer halbrunden Wand an der Ostseite des Mahnmals befinden sich die Namen von 1.557 vermissten Soldaten, deren Leichen entweder nicht gefunden oder nicht identifiziert werden konnten. Große Karten und Texte in den Loggien erläutern die Operationen der Alliierten in der Normandie und in Nordwesteuropa. Von einem Aussichtspunkt bietet sich dem Besucher ein weiter Blick über Omaha Beach, und auf einer Orientierungstafel werden die strategischen Bewegungen der Truppen in den ersten Tagen der Invasion erläutert. Seit 2007 begrüßt ein Besucherzentrum die Gäste und informiert über den Verlauf der Kämpfe. Seitdem US-Präsident Jimmy Carter den Friedhof 1978 besucht hat, ist ein Zwischenstopp hier Teil jedes Frankreichbesuchs eines amerikanischen Präsidenten, und die amerikanische Presse verweist gern auf ihn, wenn es zwischen beiden Ländern außenpolitische Unstimmigkeiten gibt. Ein zweiter amerikanischer Soldatenfriedhof in der Normandie befindet sich am Stadtrand von Saint-James. Amerykański Cmentarz Wojskowy w Colleville-sur-Mer jest najbardziej znanym cmentarzem wojennym w Normandii. Długie szeregi łacińskich krzyży i gwiazd Dawida z białego marmuru symbolizują ofiary złożone przez sprzymierzone narody – tutaj w szczególności przez Stany Zjednoczone Ameryki – po to, byśmy my mogli być wolni. Cmentarz jest miejscem wyjątkowym i to nie tylko dlatego, że dominuje nad Plażą Omaha, gdzie Amerykanie odnieśli najcięższe straty. Dołożono też starań, by nadać mu wartości estetyczne. Wiele elementów składa się na niezapomniane wrażenie: półokrąg kolumn, misterne elementy rzeźbiarskie, lustrzana tafla wspaniałego stawu i utrzymany w nienagannym stanie park zamykający groby 9.387 amerykańskich żołnierzy, którzy zginęli w dniu D-Day i podczas dalszych potyczek bitwy o Normandię. Na biegnącej półokręgiem od wschodniej strony miejsca pamięci ścianie widnieją nazwiska 1.557 żołnierzy zaginionych w walkach, mężczyzn, których ciał nie znaleziono lub nie zidentyfikowano. Duże mapy i komentarze w loggiach wyjaśniają przebieg operacji alianckich w Normandii i północno-zachodniej Europie. Z cmentarza rozciera się panoramiczny widok na Plażę Omaha, a tablica poglądowa pokazuje strategiczne posunięcia w pierwszych dniach inwazji. Od 2007 r. jest tu też punkt turystyczny, gdzie można uzyskać informacje o przebiegu bitew. Od czasu wizyty na cmentarzu prezydenta USA, Jimmy’ego Cartera w 1978 r. miejsce to wpisało się na listę obowiązkowych punktów programu przyjeżdżających amerykańskich prezydentów, często też amerykańska prasa nawiązuje doń, kiedy polityka zagraniczna obu krajów ściera się ze sobą. Drugi Cmentarz Amerykański w Normandii mieści się na rogatkach miasta Saint James. Il cimitero militare americano di Colleville-sur-Mer è il cimitero di guerra più famoso della Normandia. Le lunghe file di croci latine e stelle di Davide in marmo bianco simboleggiano i sacrifici che le nazioni alleate – e qui in modo particolare gli Stati Uniti d’America - hanno compiuto per la libertà. Il cimitero è un sito eccezionale, non solo per la sua posizione impressionante, che domina Utah Beach, dove gli americani ebbero gravi perdite.  Grande cura è stata riservata alle sue qualità estetiche. Molti elementi in combinazione rendono la visita un ricordo permanente: il colonnato a semicerchio, la statuaria elaborata, lo specchio d’acqua e il parco che contiene le tombe di 9.387 soldati americani che morirono durante il D-Day o in altri combattimenti della Battaglia di Normandia. Un muro semicircolare sulla parte est del memoriale porta i nomi di 1.557 soldati dispersi, di cui i corpi non sono stati trovati o identificati.  Grandi mappe e pannelli nelle logge spiegano le operazioni alleate in Normandia e nell’Europa nord-occidentale. Un punto di osservazione offre una vista panoramica di Omaha Beach e una tavola di orientamento spiega i movimenti strategici durante i primi giorni dell’invasione. Dal 2007, un centro visitatori accoglie i turisti e mette in luce il corso delle battaglie. Dalla visita del presidente americano Jimmy Carter nel 1978, il cimitero è una tappa obbligata per i presidenti americani, ed è spesso menzionato dalla stampa americana quando le politiche estere dei due paesi collidono. Un secondo cimitero americano in Normandia è situato poco fuori dalla città di Saint James. The American Military Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer is the most famous war cemetery in Normandy. The long lines of white marble Latin Crosses and Stars of David symbolise the sacrifices that the Allied nations - and here in particular the United States of America - have made for our freedom.The cemetery is an exceptional site, not in the least because of its impressive location dominating Omaha Beach, where the Americans suffered their worst losses. Great care has been given to its aesthetic qualities. Many elements combine to make a lasting impression: the half circle of columns, the elaborate statuary, the great reflecting pond, and the immaculate park enclosing the graves of 9387 American soldiers who died on D-Day and in other confrontations thereafter during the Battle of Normandy.A semi-circular wall on the east side of the Memorial shows the names of 1557 soldiers missing in action, men whose bodies were not found or not identified. Large maps and commentaries in the loggias explain the Allied operations in Normandy and Northwestern Europe. A vantage point offers a panoramic view of Omaha Beach and an orientation table clarifies the strategic movements during the first days of the invasion.Since 2007 a visitor centre welcomes visitors and sheds light on the course of the battles. Since the visit of U.S. president Jimmy Carter in 1978, the cemetery is an obligatory stop for American presidents and is often referred to by the American press when the two countries' foreign policies clash. A second American Cemetery in Normandy is situated just outside the town of Saint James.

 Le cimetière américain de Normandie Amerikanische Soldatenfriedhof in Colleville-sur-Mer Amerykański cmentarz w Normandii Amerikaanse Begraafplaats Normandie Cimitero Americano di Normandia Normandy American Cemetery

On D-Day, one of the missions of the 6th British Airborne Division was to destroy the German gun battery located in Merville. Indeed, the Allied intelligence services saw these four strongholds, located a few miles inland and armed with heavy guns, as a clear danger to the progress of Allied forces on Sword Beach.Lieutenant-colonel Terence Otway and his 9th Parachute Battalion were to carry out this daring and difficult mission. The 9th Battalion would have to attack the four strongholds in an area surrounded with barbed wire, strewn with land mines and machine gun nests. The attack knew many setbacks; the 750 paratroopers were dispersed and only 150 of them could gather up, and they had to do this nearly without their assault equipment. However, the assault was launched all the same.After half an hour of fierce fighting, the battery was taken. Nearly half of the British paratroopers were killed or wounded. Of the 130 German soldiers belonging to the 1716th Artillery Regiment, only one quarter survived. Once the strongholds were taken, it became clear that the intelligence services had overestimated the calibre of the cannon.A Franco-British partnership resulted in the opening of the Merville museum in 1983, located on the very spot where the battle took place. One of the four strongholds shelters a 100mm field howitzer identical to the one deployed in 1944. Inside the museum area, visitors can also admire a Dakota plane involved in the airborne assaults on 6 June 1944.

Just after midnight on 6 June 1944 a battalion of the 6th British Airborne Division was deployed to destroy the cannon of the German battery in Merville before they could harm the Allied forces landing on Sword Beach. The Franco-British museum located inside the battery highlights the merciless battle fought by the paratroopers.

On D-Day, one of the missions of the 6th British Airborne Division was to destroy the German gun battery located in Merville. Indeed, the Allied intelligence services saw these four strongholds, located a few miles inland and armed with heavy guns, as a clear danger to the progress of Allied forces on Sword Beach.

Lieutenant-colonel Terence Otway and his 9th Parachute Battalion were to carry out this daring and difficult mission. Indeed, the 9th Battalion would have to attack the four strongholds in an area surrounded with barbed wire, strewn with land mines and machine gun nests.

The attack knew many setbacks. The 750 paratroopers were dispersed and only 150 of them could gather up. They had to do nearly without their assault equipments. But, the assault was launched all the same. After half an hour of fierce fighting, the battery was taken. Nearly half of the British paratroopers were killed or wounded. Of the 130 German soldiers belonging to the 1716th Artillery Regiment, only one quarter survived. Once the strongholds were taken, it became clear that the intelligence services had overestimated the caliber of the cannon.

A Franco-British partnership resulted in the opening of the Merville museum in 1983. The museum is located on the very spot where the battle took place. One of the four strongholds shelters a 100 mm field howitzer identical to the one deployed in 1944. Inside the museum area, visitors can also admire a Dakota plane involved in the airborne assaults on 6 June 1944.

Library of Congress / Le Mémorial de Caen

Merville Battery Museum

Le Jour J, l'une des missions confiée à la 6e division aéroportée britannique fut de détruire la batterie de canon allemande située à Merville. En effet, pour les services d'intelligence alliés, ces quatre bastions, situés à quelques kilomètres à l'intérieur des terres et lourdement armés, représentaient un danger imminent pour l'avancée des forces alliées sur Sword Beach.Cette mission audacieuse et difficile revint au lieutenant-colonel Terence Otway et à son 9e bataillon de parachutistes. Les quatre bastions en question étaient situés dans une zone encerclée de fils barbelés et truffée de mines et de nids de mitrailleuses. Les assaillants essuyèrent de nombreux revers. Les 750 parachutistes furent dispersés et seuls 150 d'entre eux réussirent à se regrouper. Ils durent quasiment se passer de leurs matériels d'assaut. Mais, l'assaut fut lancé malgré tout.À l'issue d'une demi-heure de violent combat, la batterie fut capturée. Presque la moitié des parachutistes britanniques furent tués ou blessés. Parmi les 130 soldats allemands du 1716e régiment d'artillerie, seul un quart survécut. Une fois les bastions pris, on se rendit compte que les services d'intelligence avaient surestimé le calibre du canon.Un partenariat franco-britannique permit l'ouverture du musée de Merville en 1983. Le musée est situé à l'endroit où se déroula la bataille. L'un des quatre bastions abrite un obusier de 100 mm, identique à celui déployé en 1944. À l'intérieur du musée, les visiteurs peuvent également admirer un avion Dakota qui prit part aux assauts aéroportés du 6 juin 1944. Oberstleutnant Terence Otway und sein 9. Fallschirmjägerbataillon sollten diese risikoreiche und schwierige Aufgabe ausführen. Dazu musste das 9. Bataillon die vier Stellungen in einem von Stacheldraht umgebenen Gebiet, in dem sich zudem viele Landminen und Maschinengewehrnester befanden, angreifen. Bei dem Angriff gab es viele Rückschläge. Die 750 Fallschirmjäger wurden zerstreut, und nur 150 Soldaten konnten sich sammeln. Sie mussten es zwar fast ohne Kampfausrüstung schaffen, gingen aber trotzdem zum Angriff über. Nach erbittertem halbstündigen Kampf wurde die Batterie genommen. Fast die Hälfte der britischen Fallschirmjäger wurde getötet oder verwundet. Von den 130 deutschen Soldaten, die dem 1716. Artillerieregiment angehörten, überlebte nur ein Viertel. Nachdem die Stellungen eingenommen worden waren, zeigte sich, dass die Aufklärungskräfte das Kaliber des Geschützes überschätzt hatten. Aus der Eröffnung des Museums in Merville im Jahr 1983 entwickelte sich eine französisch-britische Partnerschaft. Das Museum befindet sich genau an der Stelle, wo das Gefecht stattfand. Eine der vier damaligen Stellungen beherbergt heute eine 100-mm Feldhaubitze, die mit derjenigen identisch ist, die 1944 dort stand. Im Museumsbereich kann der Besucher außerdem ein Dakota-Flugzeug sehen, das an den Fallschirmjägeraktionen am 6. Juni 1944 beteiligt war. W dniu D-Day jedną z misji 6 Brytyjskiej Dywizji Powietrznodesantowej było zniszczenie niemieckiej baterii dział w Merville. Alianckie służby wywiadowcze postrzegały te cztery ufortyfikowane punkty odległe o kilka mil od wybrzeża i uzbrojone w ciężkie karabiny jako wyraźne niebezpieczeństwo zagrażające przemieszczaniu się sił alianckich z plaży Sword. Podpułkownik Terence Otway i jego 9. Batalion Spadochronowy mieli przeprowadzić tą śmiałą i trudną misję. Była ona rzeczywiście trudna, jako że 9. Batalion musiał zaatakować cztery punkty w terenie otoczonym drutem kolczastym, usianym minami i gniazdami karabinów maszynowych. Atakowi towarzyszyło wiele przeciwności. 750 spadochroniarzy zostało rozrzuconych tak, że tylko 150 mogło się zebrać, musieli się obyć niemal bez całego sprzętu ofensywnego, a mimo to przypuścili atak. Po półgodzinnej zaciekłej walce bateria została zdobyta. Blisko połowa brytyjskich spadochroniarzy zginęła lub odniosła rany. Spośród 130 żołnierzy niemieckich należących do 1716. Pułku Artylerii przeżyła tylko jedna czwarta. Kiedy bastiony zajęto okazało się, że wywiad przecenił kaliber działa. Nawiązanie partnerstwa francusko-brytyjskiego zaowocowało otwarciem muzeum w Merville w 1983 r. Muzeum mieści się dokładnie w miejscu, gdzie rozegrała się bitwa. W jednym z czterech bunkrów znajduje się haubica polowa 100 mm, identyczna jak ta, którą zrzucono w 1944 r. Na terenie muzeum stoi również samolot Dakota, który brał udział w atakach z powietrza w dniu 6 czerwca 1944 r. Even na middernacht op 6 juni 1944 werd een bataljon van de 6e Britse Luchtlandingsdivisie ingezet om het kanon van de Duitse batterij van Merville te vernietigen. De geallieerde inlichtingendiensten zagen deze vier versterkingen, een paar kilometer landinwaarts en bewapend met zware kanonnen als een serieuze bedreiging voor de landingen op Sword Beach. Luitenant-kolonel Terence Otway en zijn 9th Parachute Battalion moesten deze gevaarlijke missie volbrengen. Het 9th Battalion moest de vier versterkingen aanvallen in een omgeving vol met prikkeldraad en bezaaid met mijnen en machinegeweernesten. De aanval kende vele tegenslagen. De 750 para’s waren verspreid neergekomen en enkel 150 van hen kon zich verzamelen. Ook moesten ze het stellen zonder aanvalsapparatuur. Maar de aanval ging gewoon door. Na een half uur van felle gevechten werd de batterij ingenomen. Bijna de helft van de Britse para’s was gedood of gewond. Van de 130 Duitse soldaten van het 1716e Artillerieregiment overleefden slechts een kwart. Toen de bolwerken waren ingenomen werd het duidelijk dat de inlichtingendiensten het kaliber van het kanon had overschat. Een Frans-Brits samenwerking resulteerde in de opening van het Merville museum in 1983. Het museum ligt op de plaats waar de slag plaats vond. Een van de vier versterkingen is bewapend met een 100 mm veld-howitzer identiek aan die werd gebruikt in 1944. Op het terrein staat ook een Dakota die was betrokken bij de luchtlandingen van D-Day. Toeristische informatie Ga voor meer informatie en de openingstijden naar: http://www.batterie-merville.com/?lang=nl Durante il D-Day, una delle missioni della Sesta divisione aviotrasportata britannica era distruggere la batteria tedesca situata a Merville. Infatti, i servizi di intelligence alleati avevano notato questi quattro luoghi fortificati situati alcune miglia all’interno e dotati di armi pesanti, che avrebbero rappresentato un chiaro pericolo per l’avanzata delle forze alleate su Sword Beach.  Il Tenente colonnello Terence Otway e il suo Nono battaglione di paracadutisti dovevano intraprendere questa missione difficile e pericolosa. Il Nono battaglione doveva attaccare i quattro fortini in un’area circondata da filo spinato, cosparsa di mine e nidi di mitragliatrici.  L'attacco ebbe molti intoppi. I 750 paracadutisti si sparsero e solo 150 di essi riuscirono a ritrovarsi. Dovettero combattere con praticamente nessun’arma da assalto, ma l’attacco venne comunque lanciato. Dopo mezz’ora di feroce combattimento, la batteria venne conquistata. Circa metà dei paracadutisti britannici fu uccisa o ferita. Dei 130 soldati appartenenti al 1716esimo reggimento di artiglieria tedesco, solo un quarto sopravvisse. Una volta che vennero presi i fortini, fu chiaro che i servizi di intelligence avevano sovrastimato il calibro dei cannoni.  Una collaborazione franco-tedesca ha prodotto l’apertura del museo di Merville nel 1983. Il museo è situato nel luogo esatto dove la battaglia ebbe luogo. Uno dei quattro fortini ospita un obice campale da 100 mm identico a quello usato nel 1944. All'interno dell’area museale, i visitatori possono anche ammirare un aereo Dakota coinvolto negli assalti aviotrasportati del 6 giugno 1944. On D-Day, one of the missions of the 6th British Airborne Division was to destroy the German gun battery located in Merville. Indeed, the Allied intelligence services saw these four strongholds, located a few miles inland and armed with heavy guns, as a clear danger to the progress of Allied forces on Sword Beach.Lieutenant-colonel Terence Otway and his 9th Parachute Battalion were to carry out this daring and difficult mission. The 9th Battalion would have to attack the four strongholds in an area surrounded with barbed wire, strewn with land mines and machine gun nests. The attack knew many setbacks; the 750 paratroopers were dispersed and only 150 of them could gather up, and they had to do this nearly without their assault equipment. However, the assault was launched all the same.After half an hour of fierce fighting, the battery was taken. Nearly half of the British paratroopers were killed or wounded. Of the 130 German soldiers belonging to the 1716th Artillery Regiment, only one quarter survived. Once the strongholds were taken, it became clear that the intelligence services had overestimated the calibre of the cannon.A Franco-British partnership resulted in the opening of the Merville museum in 1983, located on the very spot where the battle took place. One of the four strongholds shelters a 100mm field howitzer identical to the one deployed in 1944. Inside the museum area, visitors can also admire a Dakota plane involved in the airborne assaults on 6 June 1944.

 Musée de la batterie de Merville Museum der Geschützbatterie von Merville Muzeum Baterii Merville Merville Batterijmuseum Museo della batteria di Merville Merville Battery Museum

The 15th Scottish Infantry Division served for three years on the Western Front during the First World War. At the start of the Second World War in September 1939 it was remobilised in England. Here it remained until 1943 in training formation. On 14 June 1944 the 15th Scottish Division returned to French soil. Their first battle was Operation Epsom to outflank and seize the city of Caen. Serving under the command of General MacMillan, the Scottish Division took part in the attack to cross the river Odon. These were only their first days in action and the division already suffered heavy losses: about 2,700 casualties between 27 June and 2 July 1944. Nearly a third of the total infantry strength of the entire division. However, a corridor of 8 by 3 kilometres was pierced through German lines, named the ‘Scottish Corridor’. Known for their fighting spirit, the Scottish soldiers then launched a diversion from the Odon bridgehead in support of Operation Goodwood. On 15 July 1944, the town of Esquay was captured during the night. For about a month they fought at the foot of hill 112. Even though the hill was not captured, the battle distracted a German Panzer Division for a good while. On 23 July the 15th Division was ordered to advance towards Caumont-l'Éventé to relieve the 1st American Division. The 15th Scottish Infantry Division took part, in Operation Bluecoat (30 July - 4 August) advancing through hedgerows and bushes. After a week of bitter fighting around Estry, the division was granted time of rest to the South of Caen. The men resumed their progress towards the Seine, which they crossed on 27 August 1944 before they continued towards Belgium and the Netherlands.

On 14 June 1944, the 15th Scottish Infantry Division landed in Normandy on Sword Beach. On 26 June they fought on the front line, engaged in Operation Epsom to seize the city of Caen. Despite heavy losses, the men successfully participated in major Anglo-Canadian offensives in Normandy before fighting in Belgium and the Netherlands.

The 15th Scottish Infantry Division served for three years on the Western Front during the First World War. At the start of the Second World War in September 1939 it was remobilised in England. Here it remained until 1943 in training formation.

On 14 June 1944 the 15th Scottish Division returned to French soil. Their first battle was Operation Epsom to outflank and seize the city of Caen. Serving under the command of General MacMillan, the Scottish Division took part in the attack to cross the river Odon. These were only their first days in action and the division already suffered heavy losses: about 2,700 casualties between 27 June and 2 July 1944. Nearly a third of the total infantry strength of the entire division. However, a corridor of 8 by 3 kilometres was pierced through German lines, named the ‘Scottish Corridor’. Known for their fighting spirit, the Scottish soldiers then launched a diversion from the Odon bridgehead in support of Operation Goodwood. On 15 July 1944, the town of Esquay was captured during the night. For about a month they fought at the foot of hill 112. Even though the hill was not captured, the battle distracted a German Panzer Division for a good while.

On 23 July the 15th Division was ordered to advance towards Caumont-l'Éventé to relieve the 1st American Division. The 15th Scottish Infantry Division took part, in Operation Bluecoat (30 July - 4 August) advancing through hedgerows and bushes. After a week of bitter fighting around Estry, the division was granted time of rest to the South of Caen. The men resumed their progress towards the Seine, which they crossed on 27 August 1944 before they continued towards Belgium and the Netherlands.

Public domain

The 15th Scottish Infantry Division in Normandy

 La 15e division d'infanterie écossaise a servi sur le Front de l'Ouest pendant trois ans durant la Première Guerre mondiale. Au début de la Seconde Guerre mondiale, en septembre 1939, elle est à nouveau mobilisée en Angleterre, et y restera en formation jusqu'en 1943. Le 14 juin 1944, la 15e division écossaise revient sur le sol français. Sa première bataille sera l'Opération Epsom, qui a pour but d'encercler et de reprendre la ville de Caen. Sous le commandement du Général MacMillan, la division écossaise participe à l'offensive pour la traversée de la rivière Odon. Dès les premiers jours de son intervention, la division a déjà subi de lourdes pertes : environ 2 700 soldats tués ou blessés entre le 27 juin et le 2 juillet 1944, soit près d'un tiers de son effectif total. Mais elle réussit à ouvrir un couloir de 8 km sur 3 dans les lignes allemandes, surnommé « le couloir écossais ». Réputés pour leur combativité, les soldats écossais lancent alors une manœuvre de diversion sur la tête de pont de la rivière Odon en appui de l'Opération Goodwood. Dans la nuit du 15 juillet 1944, ils reprennent la ville d'Esquay. Pendant près d'un mois, ils combattent au pied de la colline 112. Et même si cette dernière n'est pas encore reprise, ces combats permettent de distraire une division Panzer allemande pendant quelque temps. Le 23 juillet, la 15e division reçoit l'ordre d'avancer vers Caumont-l'Éventé pour soulager la 1re division américaine. La 15e division d'infanterie écossaise participera à l'Opération Bluecoat (30 juillet - 4 août) en se frayant un chemin à travers les haies et bosquets qui parsèment la région. Et après une semaine de combats acharnés dans la région d'Estry, la division peut s'accorder un temps de repos au sud de Caen. Les hommes reprennent ensuite leur progression vers la Seine, qu'ils traverseront le 27 août 1944, avant de poursuivre leur route vers la Belgique et les Pays-Bas. 15 Szkocka Dywizja Piechoty została utworzona w Anglii we wrześniu 1939r. i pozostała tam do 1943r. jako formacja szkoleniowa. Chrzest bojowy przeszła podczas operacji Epsom w dniu 26 czerwca 1944r., w dwanaście dni po wylądowaniu na Plaży „Sword” 14 czerwca 1944r. i zaledwie dwa dni po przerzuceniu ostatnich partii jej wyposażenia. Pod dowództwem generała MacMillan, dywizja szkocka wzięła udział w ataku przez rzekę Odon. Były to ich pierwsze dni w akcji, toteż odnieśli poważne straty: między 27 czerwca a 2 lipca poległo 2.720 ludzi, ale „korytarz” wielkości 8 na 3 kilometry pomiędzy liniami niemieckimi, zwany „Szkockim Korytarzem” został przebity. Następnie, znani z ducha walki Szkoci podjęli działania dywersyjne (operacja Green Line) wspierając operację Goodwood (18-21 lipca) z przyczółka nad Odon. W dniu 15 lipca 1944, nocą, zdobyta została miejscowość Esquay. Przez około miesiąc Dywizja walczyła u stóp wzgórza 112. W dniu 23 lipca otrzymała rozkaz marszu ku Caumont-L’éventé, żeby przyjść w sukurs 1 Dywizji Amerykańskiej. Wraz z 2 Armią Brytyjską, 15 Dywizja Szkocka wzięła udział w operacji Bluecoat (30 lipca – 4 sierpnia) prowadząc natarcie w pociętym drzewami terenie pastwisk. Po tygodniu zaciętych walk wokół Estry dywizję zluzowano na południe od Caen. Po odpoczynku, oddziały wznowiły marsz na Sekwanę, którą przekroczyły w dniu 27 sierpnia 1944r. a następnie parły dalej na Belgię i Holandię. Op 14 juni 1944 landde de 15e Scottish Infantry Division in Normandië op Sword Beach. Op 26 juni vochten ze in de frontlinie, betrokken bij Operatie Epsom om de stad Caen te veroveren. Ondanks zware verliezen namen de mannen met succes deel aan grote Anglo-Canadese offensieven in Normandië voordat ze vochten in België en Nederland.
De 15e Schotse infanteriedivisie diende gedurende drie jaar aan het westfront tijdens de Eerste Wereldoorlog. Aan het begin van de Tweede Wereldoorlog in september 1939 werd het in Engeland herplaatst. Hier bleef het tot 1943 in trainingsformatie. Op 14 juni 1944 keerde de 15e Schotse divisie terug naar Franse bodem. Hun eerste gevecht was operatie Epsom om de stad Caen te overvleugelen en te veroveren. De Schotse divisie diende onder het commando van generaal MacMillan en nam deel aan de aanval op de rivier de Odon. Dit waren slechts hun eerste dagen in actie en de divisie had al zware verliezen geleden: ongeveer 2700 slachtoffers tussen 27 juni en 2 juli 1944. Bijna een derde van de totale infanteriesterkte van de hele divisie. Er werd echter een corridor van 8 bij 3 kilometer doorsneden door Duitse linies, de 'Scottish Corridor' genaamd. Bekend om hun vechtlust, lanceerden de Schotse soldaten vervolgens een afleiding van het bruggenhoofd van Odon ter ondersteuning van Operation Goodwood. Op 15 juli 1944 werd de stad Esquay 's nachts veroverd. Ongeveer een maand lang vochten ze aan de voet van heuvel 112. Op 23 juli kreeg de 15e Divisie opdracht om op te trekken naar Caumont-l'Éventé om de 1e Amerikaanse divisie te ontzetten. De 15e Scottish Infantry Division nam deel, in Operatie Bluecoat (30 juli - 4 augustus), op door hagen en struiken. Na een week van bittere gevechten rond Estry, kreeg de divisie rusttijd in het zuiden van Caen. De mannen hervatten hun voortgang naar de Seine, die ze op 27 augustus 1944 overstaken voordat ze verder gingen richting België en Nederland. Die 15. schottische Infanteriedivision kämpfte während des Ersten Weltkriegs drei Jahre lang an der Westfront und wurde zu Beginn des Zweiten Weltkriegs im September 1939 in England remobilisiert, wo sie bis 1943 in der Ausbildung verblieb. Am 14. Juni 1944 kehrte die 15. schottische Division auf französischen Boden zurück. Ihre ersten Kampfhandlungen fanden im Rahmen der Operation Epsom statt, deren Ziel die Einkesselung und Einnahme der Stadt Caen war. Unter dem Kommando von General MacMillan beteiligte sich die schottische Division am Angriff zur Überquerung des Odon und erlitt bereits während der ersten Gefechtstage schwere Verluste. So fielen zwischen dem 27. Juni und dem 2. Juli 1944 etwa 2.700 Mann – fast ein Drittel der Infanteristen in der gesamten Division. Dennoch gelang es, einen 8 x 3 Kilometer breiten »Schottischen Korridor« durch die deutschen Linien zu treiben. Bekannt für ihren Kampfgeist, unternahmen die schottischen Soldaten danach im Rahmen der Operation Goodwood ein Ablenkungsmanöver zum Schutz des Odon-Brückenkopfs. Am 15. Juli 1944 wurde die Stadt Esquay im Laufe der Nacht eingenommen. Im Anschluss kämpften die Männer einen Monat lang am Fuß der Cote 112. Auch wenn diese Höhe nicht eingenommen wurde, lenkten die Gefechte dennoch eine deutsche Panzerdivision beträchtliche Zeit ab. Am 23. Juli erhielt die 15. Division den Befehl, zur Entlastung der 1. amerikanischen Division auf Caumont-l'Éventé vorzurücken. Danach nahm sie an der Operation Bluecoat (30. Juli bis 4. August) teil, die sie durch unwegsames Gelände führte. Nach einer Woche erbitterter Kämpfe bei Estry erhielt die Division südlich von Caen eine Ruhepause, nach der die Männer ihren Vormarsch wieder aufnahmen und am 27. August 1944 die Seine überquerten, bevor sie weiter auf Belgien und die Niederlande vorrückten. The 15th Scottish Infantry Division served for three years on the Western Front during the First World War. At the start of the Second World War in September 1939 it was remobilised in England. Here it remained until 1943 in training formation. On 14 June 1944 the 15th Scottish Division returned to French soil. Their first battle was Operation Epsom to outflank and seize the city of Caen. Serving under the command of General MacMillan, the Scottish Division took part in the attack to cross the river Odon. These were only their first days in action and the division already suffered heavy losses: about 2,700 casualties between 27 June and 2 July 1944. Nearly a third of the total infantry strength of the entire division. However, a corridor of 8 by 3 kilometres was pierced through German lines, named the ‘Scottish Corridor’. Known for their fighting spirit, the Scottish soldiers then launched a diversion from the Odon bridgehead in support of Operation Goodwood. On 15 July 1944, the town of Esquay was captured during the night. For about a month they fought at the foot of hill 112. Even though the hill was not captured, the battle distracted a German Panzer Division for a good while. On 23 July the 15th Division was ordered to advance towards Caumont-l'Éventé to relieve the 1st American Division. The 15th Scottish Infantry Division took part, in Operation Bluecoat (30 July - 4 August) advancing through hedgerows and bushes. After a week of bitter fighting around Estry, the division was granted time of rest to the South of Caen. The men resumed their progress towards the Seine, which they crossed on 27 August 1944 before they continued towards Belgium and the Netherlands.

 La 15e division d'infanterie écossaise en Normandie 15 Szkocja Dywizja Piechoty w Normandii De 15e Scottish Infantry Division in Normandië Die 15. schottische Infanteriedivision in der Normandie The 15th Scottish Infantry Division in Normandy

In the early hours of 6 June 1944, three airborne divisions were launched to secure the flanks of the Allied landings on the beaches of Normandy. To the east, the British 6th Airborne Division under Major-General Richard Gale was dropped behind the German coastal defences, as part of Operation Tonga. The main objective of this operation was to gain control of the area between the Orne and Dives rivers. To begin with the parachutists had to capture two tactically important bridges crossing the Orne River and the Caen Canal. The bridges were taken after a few minutes of intensive fighting following the landing of five gliders close by. The next objective was to destroy a number of bridges over the Dives river in order to stop or delay possible German counter attacks. That night, thick clouds obstructed visibility for the pilots and a strong easterly wind scattered the paratroopers over a large area. However, the arrival of heavy equipment by gliders ran relatively well and the bridges were destroyed. Finally, the 6th Airborne Division had to neutralize the German artillery battery of Merville, a supposed threat to the British troops landing on Sword Beach at dawn. The battery was disabled after a fierce fighting resulting in a casualty rate of 50%. Despite unfavourable landings all the objectives of Operation Tonga had been achieved when day broke on 6 June, and around midday British units landed on Sword Beach joined up with the paratroopers at Bénouville. But Major General Gale’s 6th Airborne division paid a high price.

In the early hours of D-Day, the British 6th Airborne Division was dropped behind the German coastal defences. Its mission was to gain control of the area between the Orne and Dives rivers and to prevent German counter attacks against the Allied landings on the beaches of Normandy. Despite difficult conditions, its objectives were already achieved at dawn.

In the early hours of 6 June 1944, three airborne divisions were launched to secure the flanks of the Allied landings on the beaches of Normandy. To the east, the British 6th Airborne Division under Major-General Richard Gale was dropped behind the German coastal defences, as part of Operation Tonga. The main objective of this operation was to gain control of the area between the Orne and Dives rivers.

To begin with the parachutists had to capture two tactically important bridges crossing the Orne River and the Caen Canal. The bridges were taken after a few minutes of intensive fighting following the landing of five gliders close by.

The next objective was to destroy a number of bridges over the Dives river in order to stop or delay possible German counter attacks. That night, thick clouds obstructed visibility for the pilots and a strong easterly wind scattered the paratroopers over a large area. However, the arrival of heavy equipment by gliders ran relatively well and the bridges were destroyed.
Finally, the 6th Airborne Division had to neutralize the German artillery battery of Merville, a supposed threat to the British troops landing on Sword Beach at dawn. The battery was disabled after a fierce fighting resulting in a casualty rate of 50%.

Despite unfavourable landings all the objectives of Operation Tonga had been achieved when day broke on 6 June, and around midday British units landed on Sword Beach joined up with the paratroopers at Bénouville. But Major General Gale’s 6th Airborne division paid a high price.

Benoît Grimbert / Le Mémorial de Caen

The British Airlandings

 Aux premières heures du 6 juin 1944, trois divisions aéroportées furent larguées pour sécuriser les flancs du débarquement des Alliés sur les plages de Normandie. A l'est, la 6e division aéroportée britannique sous le commandement du général Richard Gale fut parachutée derrière les défenses côtières allemandes, dans le cadre de l'opération Tonga. Le principal objectif de cette opération consistait à prendre le contrôle de la zone située entre l'Orne et la Dives. Pour commencer, les parachutistes devaient s'emparer de deux ponts importants sur le plan tactique, traversant l'Orne et le canal de Caen. Les ponts furent saisis en quelques minutes de combat intensif après l'atterrissage de cinq planeurs à proximité. L'objectif suivant consistait à détruire un certain nombre de ponts sur la Dives afin d'interrompre ou de retarder d'éventuelles contre-attaques allemandes. Cette nuit-là, d'épais nuages réduisaient la visibilité des pilotes et un vent d'est puissant dispersa les parachutistes sur une zone étendue. Cependant, l'arrivée de matériel lourd par planeur se déroula plutôt bien et les ponts furent détruits. Enfin, la 6e division aéroportée devait neutraliser la batterie d'artillerie allemande de Merville, qui constituait une menace potentielle pour le débarquement des troupes britanniques sur la plage de Sword Beach à l'aube. La batterie fut mise hors d'état de nuire après un violent combat qui se solda par 50 % de pertes. Malgré des conditions de débarquement défavorables, tous les objectifs de l'opération Tonga avaient été atteints au lever du jour le 6 juin. Vers midi, les unités britanniques débarquées sur la plage de Sword Beach rejoignirent les parachutistes à Bénouville. Mais la 6e division aéroportée du général Gale paya un lourd tribut à cette opération. We wczesnych godzinach, w dniu 6 czerwca 1944 r., trzy dywizje powietrznodesantowe zostały zrzucone, aby zabezpieczyć flanki operacji lądowania aliantów na plażach Normandii. Od strony wschodniej, w ramach operacji Tonga, poza niemiecką linię obrony wybrzeża zrzucono 6. Brytyjską Dywizję Powietrznodesantową pod generałem majorem Richardem Gale. Głównym zadaniem operacji było przejąć kontrolę nad obszarem między rzekami Orne i Dives. Na początek, spadochroniarze mieli przechwycić dwa taktycznie istotne mosty: nad rzeką Orne i kanałem Caen. Mosty zdobyto po kilku minutach intensywnej walki po wylądowaniu w pobliżu pięciu szybowców. Następnym celem było zniszczyć szereg mostów nad rzeką Dives, aby uniemożliwić lub opóźnić ewentualne kontrataki niemieckie. Tej nocy gruba powłoka chmur ograniczyła widoczność pilotom, a silny wiatr wschodni porozrzucał spadochroniarzy na dużym obszarze. Niemniej, dostawa ciężkiego sprzętu szybowcami poszła relatywnie dobrze i mosty zniszczono. Wreszcie, 6. Dywizja Powietrznodesantowa miała zneutralizować niemiecką baterię artyleryjską w Merville, postrzeganą jako zagrożenie dla oddziałów brytyjskich lądujących świtem na plaży Sword. Baterię unieruchomiono po ciężkich bojach, w których straty w ludziach wyniosły 50%. Mimo niekorzystnego wylądowania, wszystkie zadania operacji Tonga zostały wykonane już o świcie 6 czerwca, a około południa jednostki brytyjskie wylądowały na plaży Sword i dołączyły do spadochroniarzy w Bénouville. 6. Dywizja Powietrznodesantowa generała majora Gale zapłaciła jednak wysoką cenę. Britse luchtlandingen
In de vroege uren van D-Day werd de Britse 6e Luchtlandingsdivisie gedropt achter de Duitse kustverdediging. De missie was om controle te krijgen over het gebied tussen de rivieren de Orne en Dives. Zo kon een tegenaanval door de Duitsers op de geallieerde landingen op de kusten van Normandië worden voorkomen. Ondanks moeilijke omstandigheden waren bij het ochtendgloren de doelen al bereikt.
In de vroege uren van 6 juni 1944 werden drie luchtlandingseenheden ingezet, om de flanken van de geallieerde troepen bij de landing op de stranden van Normandië te beschermen. In het oosten werd de Britse 6e Luchtlandingsdivisie onder bevel van generaal-majoor Richard Gale achter de Duitse kustverdediging gedropt, als onderdeel van operatie Tonga. Het belangrijkste doel van deze missie was controle te krijgen over het gebied tussen de rivieren de Orne en Dives. Als eerste moesten de parachutisten twee tactisch belangrijke bruggen over de Orne en het kanaal van Caen veroveren. De bruggen werden na enkele minuten van hevige strijd ingenomen, daarna volgde vlakbij de landing van vijf zweefvliegtuigen. Het volgende doel was de vernietiging van enkele bruggen over de rivier de Dives, om een eventuele tegenaanval door de Duitsers te stoppen of te vertragen. Die nacht ontnamen dikke wolken het zicht van de piloten en een straffe oostenwind had de para’s over een groot gebied verspreid. Gelukkig kwam het zware materieel, ingevlogen met de zweefvliegtuigen, goed aan en werden de bruggen opgeblazen. Als laatste diende de 6e Luchtlandingsdivisie de Duitse artilleriebatterij bij Merville uit te schakelen. Een veronderstelde bedreiging voor de Britse troepenlandingen op Sword Beach later in de ochtend. De batterij werd ontmanteld na felle gevechten, waarbij 50% van de Britse soldaten werd uitgeschakeld. Ondanks ongelukkige landingen werden alle doelen van operatie Tonga bij het ochtendgloren van 6 juni bereikt. In de middag voegden de Britse eenheden, geland op Sword Beach, zich bij de paratroepen bij Bénouville. Generaal majoor Gale's luchtlandingsdivisie had een hoge prijs betaald. In den ersten Stunden des 6. Juni 1944 wurden drei Luftlandedivisionen abgesetzt, um die Flanken der alliierten Landung an der Küste der Normandie abzusichern. Im Osten landete die 6. britische Luftlandedivision unter General Richard Gale als Teil der Operation Tonga hinter der deutschen Küstenverteidigung. Hauptziel war es, die Kontrolle über das Gebiet zwischen den Flüssen Orne und Dives zu erlangen. Anfangs mussten die Fallschirmjäger zwei strategisch wichtige Brücken über die Orne und den Caen Kanal einnehmen. Nach der Landung von fünf Lastenseglern wurden die Brücken trotz heftiger Gefechte innerhalb von Minuten besetzt. Als nächstes galt es, mehrere Brücken über die Dives zu zerstören, um deutsche Gegenangriffe zu stoppen oder zu verzögern. In dieser Nacht erschwerten dichte Wolken die Sicht der Piloten. Durch starken Ostwind wurden die Fallschirmjäger weit voneinander abgetrieben. Dennoch funktionierte das Absetzen schweren Materials vergleichsweise problemlos und die Brücken konnten zerstört werden. Schließlich musste die 6. Luftlandedivision noch die deutsche Artilleriestellung bei Merville zerstören, die für die am Sword Beach im Morgengrauen landenden Einheiten eine mögliche Bedrohung darstellte. Nach schweren Kämpfen, bei denen Verluste von 50 Prozent hingenommen werden mussten, wurde die Artilleriestellung neutralisiert. Trotz ungünstiger Umstände wurden also alle Ziele von Operation Tonga bis zum Tagesanbruch des 6. Juni erreicht. Gegen Mittag landeten dann britische Truppen am Küstenabschnitt Sword Beach und stieß zu den Fallschirmjägern in Bénouville vor. Dafür hatte General Gales 6. Luftlandedivision allerdings einen hohen Preis gezahlt. In the early hours of 6 June 1944, three airborne divisions were launched to secure the flanks of the Allied landings on the beaches of Normandy. To the east, the British 6th Airborne Division under Major-General Richard Gale was dropped behind the German coastal defences, as part of Operation Tonga. The main objective of this operation was to gain control of the area between the Orne and Dives rivers. To begin with the parachutists had to capture two tactically important bridges crossing the Orne River and the Caen Canal. The bridges were taken after a few minutes of intensive fighting following the landing of five gliders close by. The next objective was to destroy a number of bridges over the Dives river in order to stop or delay possible German counter attacks. That night, thick clouds obstructed visibility for the pilots and a strong easterly wind scattered the paratroopers over a large area. However, the arrival of heavy equipment by gliders ran relatively well and the bridges were destroyed. Finally, the 6th Airborne Division had to neutralize the German artillery battery of Merville, a supposed threat to the British troops landing on Sword Beach at dawn. The battery was disabled after a fierce fighting resulting in a casualty rate of 50%. Despite unfavourable landings all the objectives of Operation Tonga had been achieved when day broke on 6 June, and around midday British units landed on Sword Beach joined up with the paratroopers at Bénouville. But Major General Gale’s 6th Airborne division paid a high price.

 Le débarquement aérien britannique Lądowania Brytyjczyków Britse luchtlandingen Britische Luftlandeoperationen The British Airlandings

​​​The Bénouville and Ranville bridges were taken by Major Howard, whose three gliders landed within 100m of their objectives. Meanwhile, from 00:50, 2,000 paratroopers of the British 5th Brigade of General Poett were dropped on the other side of the canal and the River Orne, at Drop Zone N north of the village.The square church tower provided a useful night-time landmark for the paratroopers, who found themselves quickly isolated. Having managed to regroup at Ranville crossroads by blowing whistles and hunting horns, the survivors of the 5th Brigade positioned themselves around Ranville, Bas-de-ranville and Mariquet. Their mission was to uproot the many ‘Rommel’s asparagus’ (tall poles placed to damage Allied gliders and paratroopers) in the Drop Zone to protect the southern flank of the British 6th Airborne Division Brigade, then meet the commandos who landed a few hours later on Sword Beach.At 3:15 the main obstacle clearing was finished. Paratroopers of the 12th and 13th battalions had gradually surrounded the village from 2:30. Ranville was the first village liberated by British forces.An hour later, at Hom Castle (Ranville), General Gale Commander of the 6th Airborne chose to install his Command Post. From here he led the battle. He had been dropped by glider during the third assault wave bringing heavy equipment and his Division’s HQ. His jeep had been destroyed during landing, so he had made his way on foot, then horse (found along the way), to liberated Ranville. The castle Château Rohan-Chabot served as the headquarters of the 5th brigade.Early the next morning, Grenadiers of the 125th Regiment of Major von Luck’s German 21st Panzer clashed with the paratroopers and tried to recapture Ranville, before new orders sent them west of the River Orne, where English and Canadian troops had landed en masse.The British paratroopers who fell on 6 June and during the summer of 1944, and the French fallen, members of the Kieffer Commando that landed on 6 June, were first buried in the Ranville Communal Cemetery. They were later buried in a temporary plot arranged around the church and the bell tower.​Today, in front of the town hall and opposite the British Cemetery, stands a bust of General Gale. It pays tribute to the chief of the 6th Airborne and his 10,000 men who, on 6 June 1944, aided the liberation of the entire area and construction of the bridgehead of the Orne estuary.​​

​​Paratroopers from the 6th Airborne​ before their jump on Ranville

​Paratroopers from the 6th Airborne

​Bust of General Gale throne in front of the entrance of Ranville Town Hall.​

Bust of General Gale

énouville bridge taken by Major Howard’s men on June 6 at 00:20 a.m.​

​Pegasus Bridge, 7 June 1944

The Commander of the 6th Airborne photographed in front of the gate of Hom Castle​

​General Gale, Commander of the 6th Airborne

​​Ranville, the first village in Normandy to be liberated​

​​​The Bénouville and Ranville bridges were taken by Major Howard, whose three gliders landed within 100m of their objectives. Meanwhile, from 00:50, 2,000 paratroopers of the British 5th Brigade of General Poett were dropped on the other side of the canal and the River Orne, at Drop Zone N north of the village.The square church tower provided a useful night-time landmark for the paratroopers, who found themselves quickly isolated. Having managed to regroup at Ranville crossroads by blowing whistles and hunting horns, the survivors of the 5th Brigade positioned themselves around Ranville, Bas-de-ranville and Mariquet. Their mission was to uproot the many ‘Rommel’s asparagus’ (tall poles placed to damage Allied gliders and paratroopers) in the Drop Zone to protect the southern flank of the British 6th Airborne Division Brigade, then meet the commandos who landed a few hours later on Sword Beach.At 3:15 the main obstacle clearing was finished. Paratroopers of the 12th and 13th battalions had gradually surrounded the village from 2:30. Ranville was the first village liberated by British forces.An hour later, at Hom Castle (Ranville), General Gale Commander of the 6th Airborne chose to install his Command Post. From here he led the battle. He had been dropped by glider during the third assault wave bringing heavy equipment and his Division’s HQ. His jeep had been destroyed during landing, so he had made his way on foot, then horse (found along the way), to liberated Ranville. The castle Château Rohan-Chabot served as the headquarters of the 5th brigade.Early the next morning, Grenadiers of the 125th Regiment of Major von Luck’s German 21st Panzer clashed with the paratroopers and tried to recapture Ranville, before new orders sent them west of the River Orne, where English and Canadian troops had landed en masse.The British paratroopers who fell on 6 June and during the summer of 1944, and the French fallen, members of the Kieffer Commando that landed on 6 June, were first buried in the Ranville Communal Cemetery. They were later buried in a temporary plot arranged around the church and the bell tower.​Today, in front of the town hall and opposite the British Cemetery, stands a bust of General Gale. It pays tribute to the chief of the 6th Airborne and his 10,000 men who, on 6 June 1944, aided the liberation of the entire area and construction of the bridgehead of the Orne estuary.​​ Tandis que les ponts de Bénouville et de Ranville tombent entre les mains du major Howard, 2 000 paras de la 5e brigade britannique du Général Poett sont largués à partir de 0h50 de l’autre côté du canal et de l’Orne, sur la Drop Zone N au nord du village de Ranville. La tour carrée de l’église est un bon repère dans la nuit pour les paras qui se retrouvent rapidement isolés. Parvenant à se regrouper au carrefour de Ranville à coup de sifflet ou de cor de chasse, les rescapés de la 5e brigade se positionnent autour de Ranville, du Bas-de-Ranville et du Mariquet. Ils ont pour mission de déraciner les nombreuses asperges de Rommel présentes sur la Drop Zone, de protéger le flanc sud de la 6e Brigade Airborne Division, puis de venir aux contact des commandos qui débarqueront quelques heures plus tard sur Sword Beach. A 3h15 le dégagement des principaux obstacles terminé, le village est progressivement investi par les parachutistes des 12e et 13e bataillons à partir de 2h30 du matin, faisant ainsi de Ranville le premier village libéré par les Britanniques. C’est dans ce village, une heure plus tard, après avoir été déposé par planeur avec la troisième vague d’assaut, que le Général Gale, le commandant de la 6e Airborne choisit d’installer son PC, au château du Hom pour conduire la bataille. Privé de sa jeep détruite au moment de l’atterrissage de son planeur, c’est à pied, puis à cheval que Gale fera son entrée dans Ranville libérée.Au petit matin les grenadiers du 125e régiment de la 21e Panzer du major von Luck bousculent les troupes parachutistes et tentent de reprendre Ranville, avant que de nouveaux ordres ne les envoient à l’Ouest de l’Orne où Anglais et Canadiens ont débarqué en masse. C’est à Ranville, dans le cimetière communal puis dans un terrain provisoire disposé autour de l’église et du clocher que seront inhumés les parachutistes britanniques tombés le 6 juin et au cours de l’été 1944 mais aussi des Français, membres du Commando Kieffer ayant débarqué le 6 juin.Devant la mairie, face au cimetière britannique, un buste du Général Gale lui rend hommage ainsi qu’à ses 10 000 hommes qui contribuèrent le 6 juin 1944 à la libération de toute la zone et à la constitution de la tête de pont de l’estuaire de l’Orne. De bruggen van Bénouville en Ranville werden ingenomen door Major Howard, wiens drie zweefvliegtuigen binnen 100m van hun doelen landden. Ondertussen werden vanaf 00:50 2.000 parachutisten van de Britse 5de Brigade van generaal Poett gedropt aan de andere kant van het kanaal en de rivier de Orne, in Drop Zone N ten noorden van het dorp.De vierkante kerktoren vormde 's nachts een handig oriëntatiepunt voor de parachutisten, die al snel geïsoleerd raakten. Nadat ze erin geslaagd waren zich te hergroeperen op het kruispunt van Ranville door op fluitjes en jachthoorns te blazen, stelden de overlevenden van de 5de Brigade zich op rond Ranville, Bas-de-ranville en Mariquet. Hun missie was om de vele 'Rommel's asperges' (hoge palen die geplaatst waren om geallieerde zwevers en parachutisten te beschadigen) in de Drop Zone te ontwortelen om de zuidelijke flank van de Britse 6th Airborne Division Brigade te beschermen en vervolgens de commando's te ontmoeten die een paar uur later op Sword Beach landden.Om 3:15 was het opruimen van de belangrijkste obstakels voltooid. Parachutisten van het 12de en 13de bataljon hadden het dorp vanaf 2:30 geleidelijk omsingeld. Ranville was het eerste dorp dat door Britse troepen werd bevrijd.Een uur later, bij Hom Castle (Ranville), koos generaal Gale commandant van de 6th Airborne om zijn commandopost te installeren. Van hieruit leidde hij de strijd. Hij was met een zweefvliegtuig gedropt tijdens de derde aanvalsgolf en bracht zware uitrusting en het hoofdkwartier van zijn divisie mee. Zijn jeep was tijdens de landing vernield, dus had hij zich te voet een weg gebaand, daarna te paard (onderweg gevonden), naar het bevrijde Ranville. Het kasteel Château Rohan-Chabot diende als hoofdkwartier van de 5de brigade.De volgende ochtend vroeg raakten Grenadiers van het 125ste Regiment van Major von Luck's Duitse 21st Panzer slaags met de parachutisten en probeerden Ranville te heroveren, voordat nieuwe orders hen ten westen van de rivier de Orne stuurden, waar Engelse en Canadese troepen massaal geland waren.De Britse parachutisten die op 6 juni en tijdens de zomer van 1944 sneuvelden en de Franse gesneuvelden, leden van het Kieffer Commando dat op 6 juni landde, werden eerst begraven op de Ranville Communal Cemetery. Later werden ze begraven in een tijdelijk graf rond de kerk en de klokkentoren.Tegenwoordig staat er voor het gemeentehuis en tegenover de Britse begraafplaats een buste van generaal Gale. Het is een eerbetoon aan de chef van de 6th Airborne en zijn 10.000 mannen die op 6 juni 1944 hielpen bij de bevrijding van het hele gebied en de bouw van het bruggenhoofd bij de monding van de Orne.

 Ranville, premier village libéré en Normandie ​​Ranville, the first village in Normandy to be liberated​ Ranville, het eerste dorp in Normandië dat werd bevrijd

​​Made up of a handful of Resistance fighters alongside young volunteers, Scamaroni Company took an active part in the liberation of Caen. The name pays homage to the Corsican Resistance fighter, Fred Scamaroni, former Chief of Staff of Calvados prefect between 1937 and 1939. In 1943, following arrest by Italian political police, Scamaroni died by suicide in Ajaccio, choosing death rather than risk speaking under torture.Léonard Gille, president of the Departmental Committee of the Liberation, commanded the Company with about fifty volunteers. They crossed front lines to transmit civilian and military intelligence to the Allies, established links with Resistance fighters in the Cinglais and Bocage areas and carried out sabotage against German troops behind the lines.On 9 July 1944, the Scamaroni Company supported the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division entering Caen city. That day in their presence, the French flag was first raised in the Lycée Malherbe square, alongside allied troops and the civil authorities. The “Marseillaise” (French National Anthem) was played and sung for the first time in four years.As soon as the left bank was liberated, the members of the Scamaroni Company took part in cleaning up the ruined districts, numerous patrols in no man’s land, and later in the attacks on the right bank of the River Orne, still held by German forces. Several Resistance fighters were killed during these patrols and fighting: Lieutenant Chatelain and Robert Castel fell in Caen, and Captain Poinlanne in Lisieux.​The Scamaroni Company participated in the liberation of Fleury-sur-Orne, and on the morning of 19 July helped Canadian troops to clean up the Vaucelles neighbourhood and the vicinity of the Colombelles steel plant. That afternoon, Caen was entirely liberated.​The next day, the Departmental Committee of Liberation met officially for the first time. Their tasks were to assist the new prefect of Calvados, and to appoint a provisional Mayor (this was before the creation, in September 1944, of the Special Delegation of the city of Caen who administered the city until the next elections). The Scamaroni company then ceased to exist.On 23 September 1944, General De Gaulle ordered that the FFI troops be incorporated into the regular troops to continue the fighting. Some “Scamaroni fighters” did not wait for this order to join the Leclerc division fighting in the Orne. From August to September 1944, many volunteers from Caen and Normandy enlisted to continue fighting after Normandy’s liberation. &nbsp;

​​The main leaders of the Scamaroni Company after the Liberation of Caen : Goguel, Dumis, Gille, Duchez.​​

The main leaders of the Scamaroni Company after the Liberation of Caen​

​Portrait of Resistance leader Léonard Gille​

​A patrol of the Scamaroni Company in the ruins of Caen, July 1944​.

​Scamaroni Company patrol

​The FFI of Caen photographed at Place Monseigneur-des-Hameaux, Caen, 10 July 1940​.

​Caen, 10 July 1944

​​The Scamaroni Company and the Liberation of Caen​

​​Made up of a handful of Resistance fighters alongside young volunteers, Scamaroni Company took an active part in the liberation of Caen. The name pays homage to the Corsican Resistance fighter, Fred Scamaroni, former Chief of Staff of Calvados prefect between 1937 and 1939. In 1943, following arrest by Italian political police, Scamaroni died by suicide in Ajaccio, choosing death rather than risk speaking under torture.Léonard Gille, president of the Departmental Committee of the Liberation, commanded the Company with about fifty volunteers. They crossed front lines to transmit civilian and military intelligence to the Allies, established links with Resistance fighters in the Cinglais and Bocage areas and carried out sabotage against German troops behind the lines.On 9 July 1944, the Scamaroni Company supported the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division entering Caen city. That day in their presence, the French flag was first raised in the Lycée Malherbe square, alongside allied troops and the civil authorities. The “Marseillaise” (French National Anthem) was played and sung for the first time in four years.As soon as the left bank was liberated, the members of the Scamaroni Company took part in cleaning up the ruined districts, numerous patrols in no man’s land, and later in the attacks on the right bank of the River Orne, still held by German forces. Several Resistance fighters were killed during these patrols and fighting: Lieutenant Chatelain and Robert Castel fell in Caen, and Captain Poinlanne in Lisieux.​The Scamaroni Company participated in the liberation of Fleury-sur-Orne, and on the morning of 19 July helped Canadian troops to clean up the Vaucelles neighbourhood and the vicinity of the Colombelles steel plant. That afternoon, Caen was entirely liberated.​The next day, the Departmental Committee of Liberation met officially for the first time. Their tasks were to assist the new prefect of Calvados, and to appoint a provisional Mayor (this was before the creation, in September 1944, of the Special Delegation of the city of Caen who administered the city until the next elections). The Scamaroni company then ceased to exist.On 23 September 1944, General De Gaulle ordered that the FFI troops be incorporated into the regular troops to continue the fighting. Some “Scamaroni fighters” did not wait for this order to join the Leclerc division fighting in the Orne. From August to September 1944, many volunteers from Caen and Normandy enlisted to continue fighting after Normandy’s liberation. &nbsp; Constituée par une poignée de résistants sortis de la clandestinité auxquels se sont joints de jeunes volontaires, cette unité prend une part active à la libération de Caen. Son nom rend hommage au résistant corse Fred Scamaroni, ancien chef du cabinet du préfet du Calvados entre 1937 et 1939 et qui s’est suicidé à Ajaccio en 1943 pour ne pas parler sous la torture après avoir été arrêté par la police politique italienne.Léonard Gille, président du Comité Départemental de la Libération a pris le commandement de la compagnie constituée d’une cinquantaine de volontaires.Ces derniers transmettent aux Alliés des renseignements civils et militaires, établissent des liaisons avec les résistants du Cinglais et du Bocage, et mènent des actions de sabotage contre les troupes allemandes en arrière des lignes. Ils épaulent la 3e division d’infanterie canadienne lors de son entrée dans la ville le 9 juillet 1944. Ce jour-là, en présence de la compagnie Scamaroni, a lieu le premier lever des couleurs françaises au Lycée Malherbe, devant les troupes alliées et les autorités civiles.Après la libération de la rive gauche le 9 juillet, les membres de la Scamaroni prennent part au nettoyage des quartiers en ruine, aux nombreuses patrouilles dans le no man’s land, puis à des incursions sur la rive droite de l’Orne encore tenue par les Allemands. Plusieurs résistants sont tués lors de ces patrouilles et des combats : le lieutenant Chatelain et Robert Castel à Caen, le capitaine Poinlanne à Lisieux.La Scamaroni participe à la libération de Fleury-sur-Orne, puis au matin du 19 juillet, aide les Canadiens à nettoyer le quartier de Vaucelles et les abords de l’usine sidérurgique de Colombelles. Dans l’après-midi du 19 juillet 1944, Caen est totalement libérée.Le lendemain, le comité départemental de Libération se réunit pour la première fois au grand jour avec pour tâche d’assister le nouveau préfet du Calvados, de faire nommer un maire provisoire, avant la création en septembre 1944 de la délégation spéciale de la ville de Caen chargée d’administrer la ville jusqu’aux prochaines élections.La compagnie Scamaroni cesse alors d’exister.Le 23 septembre 1944, le général de Gaulle ordonne que les troupes FFI soient incorporées aux troupes régulières pour continuer les combats. Certains combattants de la Scamaroni n’ont pas attendu cet ordre pour rejoindre la division Leclerc qui se bat dans l’Orne. De août à septembre 1944 de nombreux volontaires caennais et normands s’y engagent pour poursuivre les combats une fois la Normandie libérée. Scamaroni Company bestond uit een handvol verzetsstrijders en jonge vrijwilligers en nam actief deel aan de bevrijding van Caen. De naam is een eerbetoon aan de Corsicaanse verzetsstrijder Fred Scamaroni, voormalig stafchef van de prefect van Calvados tussen 1937 en 1939. In 1943, na een arrestatie door de Italiaanse politieke politie, stierf Scamaroni door zelfmoord in Ajaccio. Hij verkoos de dood boven het risico te spreken onder marteling.Léonard Gille, voorzitter van het Departementale Comité van de Bevrijding, voerde het bevel over de compagnie met ongeveer vijftig vrijwilligers. Ze staken de frontlinies over om civiele en militaire inlichtingen door te geven aan de Geallieerden, legden contacten met verzetsstrijders in de Cinglais en Bocage gebieden en voerden sabotage uit tegen Duitse troepen achter de linies.Op 9 juli 1944 ondersteunde de Scamaroni Company de Canadese 3de Infanteriedivisie bij het binnenvallen van de stad Caen. Die dag werd in hun aanwezigheid de Franse vlag voor het eerst gehesen op het Lycée Malherbe plein, samen met geallieerde troepen en de burgerlijke autoriteiten. De "Marseillaise" (het Franse volkslied) werd voor het eerst in vier jaar gespeeld en gezongen.Zodra de linkeroever bevrijd was, namen de leden van de Compagnie Scamaroni deel aan het opruimen van de verwoeste wijken, talrijke patrouilles in niemandsland en later aan de aanvallen op de rechteroever van de Orne, die nog steeds in handen was van Duitse troepen. Verschillende verzetsstrijders werden gedood tijdens deze patrouilles en gevechten: Luitenant Chatelain en Robert Castel sneuvelden in Caen en kapitein Poinlanne in Lisieux.De Scamaroni Company nam deel aan de bevrijding van Fleury-sur-Orne en hielp in de ochtend van 19 juli de Canadese troepen bij het opruimen van de wijk Vaucelles en de omgeving van de staalfabriek Colombelles. Die middag werd Caen volledig bevrijd.De volgende dag kwam het Departementale Comité voor de Bevrijding voor het eerst officieel bijeen. Hun taken waren het assisteren van de nieuwe prefect van Calvados en het aanstellen van een voorlopige burgemeester (dit was vóór de oprichting, in september 1944, van de Speciale Delegatie van de stad Caen die de stad bestuurde tot de volgende verkiezingen). Het bedrijf Scamaroni hield toen op te bestaan.Op 23 september 1944 gaf generaal De Gaulle opdracht om de FFI-troepen op te nemen in de reguliere troepen om de gevechten voort te zetten. Sommige "Scamaroni-strijders" wachtten dit bevel niet af en sloten zich aan bij de Leclerc-divisie die in de Orne vocht. Van augustus tot september 1944 meldden veel vrijwilligers uit Caen en Normandië zich aan om door te vechten na de bevrijding van Normandië.

 La compagnie Scamaroni et la libération de Caen ​​The Scamaroni Company and the Liberation of Caen​ De Scamaroni-compagnie en de bevrijding van Caen

Utah Beach was the codename for D-Day’s westernmost landing beach. Here the U.S. 4th Infantry Division came ashore with the task of establishing a bridgehead at the base of the Cotentin peninsula. This was an important assignment in the effort to seize the deep-water port of Cherbourg as quickly as possible.Five hours before the first seaborne landings, U.S. airborne troops were dropped behind the coastal defences. Fighting their way towards the beach, they cleared the enemy positions that threatened the Allied exit from the beaches. The paratroopers managed to prevent any significant counterattacks.The German strongpoint on the beach of La Madeleine was composed of various shelters and bunkers, a grenade launcher and four canons assigned to cover an antitank zone. These modest defences could not withstand the terrible air and naval bombardments of D-Day. They offered little resistance to the American assault forces, even though many units landed nearly 2000 metres to the southeast from the original plan.At the end of the day, the assault was a total success, with relatively few American casualties. Because the Germans had destroyed almost all port facilities along the Atlantic coast, the beaches had to take over their crucial logistic role. From June to November 1944, an almost endless stream of men and supplies were brought in via Utah Beach.On 11 November 1944 a monument was dedicated to the 1st Engineer Special Brigade on the site of the La Madeleine strongpoint, making it the first war memorial established on the landing beaches. <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lW7WZoL5kcE?showinfo=0"></iframe>

Utah Beach was the codename of D-Day’s westernmost landing beach. Here the U.S. 4th Infantry Division came ashore. The Utah Beach landing was quite successful, partially thanks to the Airborne troops who prevented any significant counterattacks against the landing area.

Utah Beach was the codename for D-Day’s westernmost landing beach. Here the U.S. 4th Infantry Division came ashore with the task of establishing a bridgehead at the base of the Cotentin peninsula. This was an important assignment in the effort to seize the deep-water port of Cherbourg as quickly as possible.

Five hours before the first seaborne landings, U.S. airborne troops were dropped behind the coastal defences. Fighting their way towards the beach, they cleared the enemy positions that threatened the Allied exit from the beaches. The paratroopers managed to prevent any significant counterattacks.

The German strongpoint on the beach of La Madeleine was composed of various shelters and bunkers, a grenade launcher and four canons assigned to cover an antitank zone. These modest defences could not withstand the terrible air and naval bombardments of D-Day. They offered little resistance to the American assault forces, even though many units landed nearly 2.000 meters to the southeast from the original plan. At the end of the day, the assault was a total success, with relatively few American casualties.

Because the Germans had destroyed almost all port facilities along the Atlantic coast, the beaches had to take over their crucial logistic role. From June to November 1944, an almost endless stream of men and supplies were brought in via Utah Beach. On 11 November 1944 a monument was dedicated to the 1st Engineer Special Brigade on the site of the La Madeleine strongpoint, making it the first war memorial established on the landing beaches.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lW7WZoL5kcE[/embed]

US Army / Le Mémorial de Caen

Utah Beach

Le nom de code Utah Beach fut attribué à la plage de débarquement la plus à l'ouest du Jour J. C'est là que la 4e division d'infanterie américaine accosta, avec pour mission d'établir une tête de pont à la base de la péninsule du Cotentin. Il s'agissait d'une mission importante en vue de capturer le port en eaux profondes de Cherbourg le plus vite possible.Cinq heures avant les premiers débarquements maritimes, les troupes aéroportées américaines furent parachutées derrière les défenses côtières. Pour se frayer un chemin jusqu'à la plage, elles éliminèrent les positions ennemies qui menaçaient la sortie des Alliés débarqués sur les plages. Les parachutistes réussirent à empêcher toute contre-attaque majeure.Le bastion allemand situé sur la plage de La Madeleine était composé de divers abris et bunkers, d'un lance-grenade et de quatre canons destinés à couvrir une zone antichar. Ces défenses modestes succombèrent aux intenses bombardements navals et aériens du Jour J. Elles ne résistèrent pas très longtemps aux forces d'assaut américaines, même si de nombreuses unités atterrirent quasiment 2 000 mètres au sud-ouest de la zone initialement prévue.En fin de journée, l'assaut fut un succès total, avec relativement peu de pertes côté américain. Comme les Allemands avaient détruit presque toutes les installations portuaires le long de la côte Atlantique, les plages jouèrent un rôle crucial sur le plan logistique. De juin à novembre 1944, les hommes et matériels furent acheminés via Utah Beach de manière quasiment ininterrompue. Le 11 novembre 1944, un monument fut dédié à la 1ère brigade spéciale du génie sur le site du bastion de La Madeleine, premier mémorial de guerre établi sur les plages du débarquement. Utah Beach war der Deckname für den am weitesten westlich gelegenen Landungsstrand am 6. Juni 1944, dem D-Day. An diesem Küstenabschnitt ging die 4. US-Infanteriedivision an Land. Der Vorstoß am Utah Beach war recht erfolgreich - auch dank der amerikanischen Landungstruppen, die ernsthafte deutsche Gegenangriffe verhinderten. Zadaniem 4. Dywizji Piechoty USA było zdobycie przyczółka u podstawy półwyspu Cotentin. Było to szczególnie ważne wobec planowanej próby możliwie jak najszybszego zdobycia głębokowodnego portu w Cherbourgu. Na pięć godzin przed pierwszym lądowaniem z morza za linie obrony wybrzeża zrzucono amerykańskie oddziały powietrznodesantowe. Torując sobie drogę do plaży zlikwidowały one stanowiska nieprzyjaciela, które zagrażały wyjściu aliantów z plaż. Spadochroniarzom udało się zapobiec wszelkim większym kontratakom. Na niemiecki punkt obrony na plaży przy La Madeleine składały się różne schrony i bunkry, a strefy przeciwczołgowej bronił granatnik i cztery działa. Te skromne siły nie mogły sprostać ciężkiemu bombardowaniu z morza i powietrza w dniu D-Day. Niemcy stawili mierny opór wobec nacierających sił amerykańskich, mimo że wiele jednostek wylądowało niemal 2.000 metrów na południowy zachód od pierwotnie planowanego miejsca. Z końcem dnia natarcie zakończyło się całkowitym sukcesem przy relatywnie niewielkiej liczbie ofiar wśród Amerykanów. Ponieważ Niemcy zniszczyli niemal wszystkie urządzenia portowe wzdłuż wybrzeża Atlantyku, plaże musiały przejąć ich kluczową logistyczną rolę. Od czerwca do listopada 1944 r. przez plażę Utah przechodził niemal nieprzerwany strumień ludzi i zapasów. W dniu 11 listopada 1944 r. na miejscu punktu obrony La Madeleine wzniesiono pomnik dedykowany 1. Specjalnej Brygadzie Inżynieryjnej, który stał się pierwszym wojennym miejscem pamięci, powstałym na plażach lądowania. Utah Beach was de codenaam voor het meest westelijke landingsstrand van D-Day. Hier kwam de Amerikaanse 4th Infantry Division aan land met de opdracht een bruggenhoofd te vestigen aan de voet van het schiereiland Cotentin. Vijf uur voor de eerste landing over zee werden Amerikaanse luchtlandingstroepen gedropt achter de kustverdediging. Vechtend naar het strand ruimden ze de vijandelijke posities op die de geallieerde uitgang van de stranden bedreigden. De parachutisten slaagden erin significante tegenaanvallen te voorkomen.Het Duitse bolwerk op het strand van La Madeleine bestond uit verschillende schuilplaatsen en bunkers, een granaatwerper en vier kanonnen die een antitankzone moesten dekken. Deze bescheiden verdediging was niet bestand tegen de verschrikkelijke lucht- en zeebombardementen van D-Day. Ze boden weinig weerstand aan de Amerikaanse aanvalstroepen, ook al landden veel eenheden bijna 2000 meter ten zuidoosten van het oorspronkelijke plan.Aan het eind van de dag was de aanval een totaal succes, met relatief weinig Amerikaanse slachtoffers. Omdat de Duitsers bijna alle havenfaciliteiten langs de Atlantische kust hadden vernietigd, moesten de stranden hun cruciale logistieke rol overnemen. Van juni tot november 1944 werd een bijna eindeloze stroom mannen en voorraden aangevoerd via Utah Beach.Op 11 november 1944 werd een monument gewijd aan de 1st Engineer Special Brigade op de plaats van het bolwerk La Madeleine, waardoor dit het eerste oorlogsmonument werd dat op de landingsstranden werd opgericht. <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lW7WZoL5kcE?showinfo=0" frameborder="0"></iframe> Utah Beach era il nome in codice della spiaggia di sbarco più occidentale del D-Day. Qui la 4a Divisione di Fanteria degli Stati Uniti sbarcò con il compito di stabilire una testa di ponte alla base della penisola di Cotentin. Questo era un compito importante nello sforzo di prendere il porto di Cherbourg, dalle acque profonde, il più rapidamente possibile. Cinque ore prima del primo sbarco, le truppe aviotrasportate statunitensi furono lanciate dietro le difese costiere. Combattendo verso la spiaggia, eliminarono le posizioni nemiche che minacciavano l'uscita alleata dalle spiagge. I paracadutisti riuscirono a prevenire qualsiasi contrattacco significativo. Il punto di forza tedesco sulla spiaggia di La Madeleine era composto da vari rifugi e bunker, un lanciagranate e quattro cannoni assegnati a coprire una zona anticarro. Queste modeste difese non potevano resistere ai terribili bombardamenti aerei e navali del D-Day. Offrirono poca resistenza alle forze d'assalto americane, anche se molte unità sbarcarono quasi 2.000 metri a sud-est rispetto al piano originale. Alla fine della giornata, l'assalto fu un successo totale, con relativamente poche perdite americane. Poiché le forze tedesche avevano distrutto quasi tutte le strutture portuali lungo la costa atlantica, le spiagge dovettero assumere il loro cruciale ruolo logistico. Da giugno a novembre 1944, un flusso quasi infinito di uomini e rifornimenti fu portato attraverso Utah Beach. L'11 novembre 1944 un monumento fu dedicato alla 1st Engineer Special Brigade sul sito del punto di forza La Madeleine, rendendolo il primo memoriale di guerra istituito sulle spiagge dello sbarco. Utah Beach was the codename for D-Day’s westernmost landing beach. Here the U.S. 4th Infantry Division came ashore with the task of establishing a bridgehead at the base of the Cotentin peninsula. This was an important assignment in the effort to seize the deep-water port of Cherbourg as quickly as possible.Five hours before the first seaborne landings, U.S. airborne troops were dropped behind the coastal defences. Fighting their way towards the beach, they cleared the enemy positions that threatened the Allied exit from the beaches. The paratroopers managed to prevent any significant counterattacks.The German strongpoint on the beach of La Madeleine was composed of various shelters and bunkers, a grenade launcher and four canons assigned to cover an antitank zone. These modest defences could not withstand the terrible air and naval bombardments of D-Day. They offered little resistance to the American assault forces, even though many units landed nearly 2000 metres to the southeast from the original plan.At the end of the day, the assault was a total success, with relatively few American casualties. Because the Germans had destroyed almost all port facilities along the Atlantic coast, the beaches had to take over their crucial logistic role. From June to November 1944, an almost endless stream of men and supplies were brought in via Utah Beach.On 11 November 1944 a monument was dedicated to the 1st Engineer Special Brigade on the site of the La Madeleine strongpoint, making it the first war memorial established on the landing beaches. <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lW7WZoL5kcE?showinfo=0"></iframe>

 Utah Beach Utah Beach Plaża Utah Utah Beach Utah Beach Utah Beach

The 50th British Infantry Division led by Major General Douglas Graham had been seasoned in the North African campaign. On D-Day, Gold was the code name for the beach that was assigned to this division, located between Ver-sur-Mer and Asnelles on the Normandy coast.The battlefield was made up of flat areas interrupted by sand dunes that concealed vast swamps. The topography made this landing easier than the ones on Omaha Beach and Juno Beach. The former was too steep while the latter, as it was urbanised, forced the Canadian troops to fight in the village streets. The German strategists considered Gold an unlikely landing beach, for this reason the defences were relatively weak.The German heavy artillery batteries, located slightly further inland, were swiftly and effectively bombarded by ships and by planes. The first British soldiers set foot on Gold Beach at 07:25. Even though the operations went fairly well, they had to overcome fierce resistance in the area called La Rivière, between the landing beach and the village of Ver-sur-Mer.Another unit, which landed almost unopposed east of Asnelles, had to deal with a German strongpoint at Le Hamel. The British troops managed to take that stronghold by the end of the day with the support of tanks. In the meantime, additional units had landed and gone further inland. They accomplished the farthest advance on D-Day of all Allied seaborne forces. This swift move made it possible to take Arromanches in the evening and, the day after, the town of Bayeux, which fell into British hands almost undamaged.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-e_KLuBoTug?showinfo=0"></iframe>

On D-Day, Gold was the code name for the beach where the 50th British Infantry Division was to land. It was located between Ver-sur-Mer and Asnelles on the Normandy coast. Despite fierce resistance from some German strongholds, the 50th Division accomplished the farthest breakthrough inland of all Allied seaborne forces, as it came close to Bayeux that same day.

The 50th British Infantry Division led by Major General Douglas Graham had been seasoned in the North African campaign. On D-Day, Gold was the code name for the beach that was assigned to this division. It was located between Ver-sur-mer and Asnelles on the Normandy coast.

The battlefield was made up of flat areas interrupted by sand dunes which concealed vast swamps. The topography made this landing easier than the ones on Omaha Beach and Juno Beach. The former was too steep while the latter, as it was urbanized, forced the Canadian troops to fight in the village streets.

The German strategists considered Gold an unlikely landing beach. For this reason the defences were relatively weak. The German heavy artillery batteries, located slightly further inland, were swiftly and effectively bombarded by ships and by planes.

The first British soldiers set foot on Gold Beach at 07:25. Even though the operations went fairly well, they had to overcome fierce resistance in the area called La Rivière, between the landing beach and the village of Ver-sur-Mer. Another unit, which landed almost unopposed east of Asnelles, had to deal with a German strongpoint at Le Hamel. The British troops managed to take that stronghold by the end of the day with the support of tanks. In the meantime, additional units had landed and gone further inland. They accomplished the farthest advance on D-Day of all Allied seaborne forces. This swift move made it possible to take Arromanches in the evening and, the day after, the town of Bayeux which fell into British hands almost undamaged.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e_KLuBoTug[/embed]

Door No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit, Midgley (Sgt) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

By No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit, Midgley (Sgt) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Gold Beach

Gold Beach war der Codename für den Küstenabschnitt, an dem die 50. britische Infanteriedivision am 6. Juni 1944 landen sollte. Er befand sich zwischen Ver-sur-Mer und Asnelles in der Normandie. Trotz erbitterten Widerstands einiger deutscher Verteidigungsstellungen gelang der 50. Infanteriedivision der größte Landgewinn von allen alliierten Landungsverbänden, nämlich bis kurz vor Bayeux. 50. Brytyjska Dywizja Piechoty po dowództwem generała majora Douglasa Grahama miała za sobą doświadczenie z kampanii północno-afrykańskiej. W dniu D-Day, Gold przyjęto za kryptonim przydzielonej dywizji plaży. Rozciągała się ona między Ver-sur-mer a Asnelles na wybrzeżu normandzkim. Polem bitwy były płaskie odcinki lądu, poprzecinane wydmami piaskowymi, które skrywały szerokie bagna. Topografia uczyniła to miejsce lądowania łatwiejsze niż na plażach Omaha i Juno. Pierwsza z nich była zbyt stroma, natomiast druga, w terenie zurbanizowanym, zmusiła oddziały kanadyjskie do walk w zabudowie wioski. Niemieccy stratedzy uważali Gold za mało prawdopodobne miejsce lądowania. Dlatego obrona była tu relatywnie słaba. Niemieckie baterie ciężkich dział, zlokalizowane nieco bardziej w głąb lądu, zostały szybko i sprawnie zbombardowane ostrzałem ze statków i samolotów. Pierwsi żołnierze brytyjscy stanęli na plaży Gold o godzinie 07:25. Mimo, iż operacje przebiegały całkiem dobrze, musieli przełamać zacięty opór na obszarze zwanym La Rivière, między plażą lądowania a wioską Ver-sur-Mer. Inna jednostka, która wylądowała niemal bez przeszkód na wschód od Asnelles, musiała zmierzyć się z obsadzonym przez Niemców punktem obrony w Le Hamel. Oddziały brytyjskie, wspierane czołgami, zdołały zająć punkt do końca dnia. W międzyczasie wylądowały dalsze jednostki, które wdarły się dalej w głąb lądu. Tu w dniu D-Day osiągnięto największy postęp ze wszystkich morskich jednostek desantowych aliantów. Szybki marsz umożliwił zajęcie Arromanches wieczorem tego dnia, a następnego dnia miasto Bayeux znalazło się w rękach brytyjskich niemal nietknięte. De 50e Britse Infanteriedivisie, geleid door generaal-majoor Douglas Graham, was gehard tijdens de Noord-Afrikaanse veldtocht. Gedurende D-Day was Gold de codenaam voor het strand dat was toegewezen aan deze divisie. Het strand lag aan de kust van Normandië tussen Ver-sur-Mer en Asnelles. Het slagveld bestond uit vlak land, onderbroken door zandduinen waarin moerasland lag verborgen. Dit landschap maakte de landing eenvoudiger dan die op Omaha beach en Juno beach. Bij de eerste was het terrein te steil, terwijl bij de tweede, een bewoond gebied, de Canadese troepen gedwongen waren om in dorpsstraten te vechten. De Duitse strategen dachten dat Gold een weinig voor de hand liggende locatie voor een landing was. De verdediging was daarom relatief zwak. De Duitse zware artillerie lag iets verder landinwaarts en werd snel en effectief gebombardeerd door schepen en vliegtuigen. De eerste Britse soldaten landden om 07:25 op Gold Beach. Hoewel de operatie redelijk goed verliep hadden de soldaten felle tegenstand te overwinnen in een gebied genaamd La Rivière, gelegen tussen de landingsplaats en het dorp Ver-sur-Mer. Een andere eenheid, bijna ongehinderd geland ten oosten van Asnelles, kreeg te maken met een Duits bolwerk in Le Hamel. De Britse troepen wisten met hulp van tanks aan het einde van de dag deze versterking te slechtten. Ondertussen waren extra troepen geland en verder landinwaarts getrokken. Van de geallieerde landingstroepen boekten zij de meeste voortgang op D-Day. Deze snelle manoeuvre maakte het mogelijk om ’s avonds Arromanches te ontzetten. Een dag later viel de stad Bayeux vrijwel onbeschadigd in Britse handen. Toeristische informatie The Gold Beach museum in Ver-sur-Mer tells the story of the British landing in this area. Adress: 2 Place Amiral Byrd, Ver-sur-Mer. (http://www.goldbeachmusee.fr/) La 50ª Divisione di fanteria britannica guidata dal maggior generale Douglas Graham era stata addestrata nella campagna del Nord Africa. Durante il D-Day, Gold era il nome in codice della spiaggia assegnata a questa divisione. Era situata tra Ver-sur-mer e Asnelles sulla costa della Normandia. Il campo di battaglia era costituito da zone pianeggianti interrotte da dune di sabbia che nascondevano vaste paludi. La topografia rese questo sbarco più facile di quelli di Omaha Beach e Juno Beach. La prima era troppo ripida mentre la seconda, essendo urbanizzata, costringeva le truppe canadesi a combattere nelle strade dei villaggi. Gli strateghi tedeschi consideravano Gold una spiaggia da sbarco improbabile. Per questo motivo le difese erano relativamente deboli. Le batterie di artiglieria pesante tedesca, situate un po' più all'interno, furono rapidamente ed efficacemente bombardate dalle navi e dagli aerei. I primi soldati britannici misero piede su Gold Beach alle 07:25. Anche se le operazioni andarono abbastanza bene, dovettero superare una feroce resistenza nella zona chiamata La Rivière, tra la spiaggia di sbarco e il villaggio di Ver-sur-Mer. Un'altra unità, sbarcata quasi senza opposizione ad est di Asnelles, dovette affrontare un punto di forza tedesco a Le Hamel. Le truppe britanniche riuscirono a prendere quel caposaldo entro la fine della giornata con l'appoggio dei carri armati. Nel frattempo, altre unità erano sbarcate e si erano spinte più all'interno. Compirono l'avanzata più ampia di tutte le forze alleate. Questa mossa rapida permise di prendere Arromanches in serata e, il giorno dopo, la città di Bayeux che cadde in mani britanniche quasi senza danni. The 50th British Infantry Division led by Major General Douglas Graham had been seasoned in the North African campaign. On D-Day, Gold was the code name for the beach that was assigned to this division, located between Ver-sur-Mer and Asnelles on the Normandy coast.The battlefield was made up of flat areas interrupted by sand dunes that concealed vast swamps. The topography made this landing easier than the ones on Omaha Beach and Juno Beach. The former was too steep while the latter, as it was urbanised, forced the Canadian troops to fight in the village streets. The German strategists considered Gold an unlikely landing beach, for this reason the defences were relatively weak.The German heavy artillery batteries, located slightly further inland, were swiftly and effectively bombarded by ships and by planes. The first British soldiers set foot on Gold Beach at 07:25. Even though the operations went fairly well, they had to overcome fierce resistance in the area called La Rivière, between the landing beach and the village of Ver-sur-Mer.Another unit, which landed almost unopposed east of Asnelles, had to deal with a German strongpoint at Le Hamel. The British troops managed to take that stronghold by the end of the day with the support of tanks. In the meantime, additional units had landed and gone further inland. They accomplished the farthest advance on D-Day of all Allied seaborne forces. This swift move made it possible to take Arromanches in the evening and, the day after, the town of Bayeux, which fell into British hands almost undamaged.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-e_KLuBoTug?showinfo=0"></iframe>

 Gold Beach Gold Beach Plaża Gold Gold Beach Gold Beach Gold Beach

By late 1942, the Germans had installed an artillery battery at Pointe du Hoc, a prominent cliff overlooking the English Channel. Composed of six 155mm guns positioned in open concrete gun pits (later under casemates), this battery was able to cover the beaches that had been selected for the landing of American troops; Utah Beach to the west and Omaha Beach to the east.Aware of the threat, the Allies bombed the battery many times before the landing. However, in order to ensure its complete destruction, they entrusted the task of scaling the cliff, seizing the fortifications and disabling the guns to the 2nd US Ranger battalion commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James Earl Rudder.On the morning of D-Day after a perilous ascent with rope ladders and grappling hooks, the U.S. commandos clashed with German gunners in a bloody battle. Once victorious, the Rangers were astonished to find the gun bunkers empty and the guns missing. They appeared to have been recently moved by the Germans. After a short search the Rangers found them hidden in a sunken road nearby...Since 1979, the conservation of this site, threatened by the erosion of the cliff, has been assigned to the American Battle Monuments Commission. Considerable work has been undertaken to allow the public to visit this historical site. Amid a lunar landscape caused by bombs and large calibre shells, one can distinguish many concrete buildings: shelters for staff, anti-aircraft artillery positions, bunkers and cannon and ammunition pits.On the top of the fortifications, at the edge of the cliff, an impressive memorial offers a splendid view of the coast. A Visitor centre stands at the entry of the site, which has free access.&nbsp;The Musée des Rangers at Grandcamp-Maisy presents artefacts and documents on the 2nd Rangers Battalion. <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1wiRbRsxJPU?showinfo=0"></iframe>

Pointe du Hoc is a high point between two of the five D-Day landing beaches, Utah and Omaha. It is renowned for the daring assault conducted on 6 June 1944 by the 2nd U.S. Ranger Battalion in an effort to neutralize the German artillery battery there.

By late 1942, the Germans had installed an artillery battery at Pointe du Hoc, a prominent cliff overlooking the English Channel. Composed of six 155 mm guns positioned in open concrete gun pits (later under casemates), this battery was able to cover the beaches that had been selected for the landing of American troops; Utah Beach to the west and Omaha Beach to the east. Aware of the threat, the Allies bombed the battery many times before the landing. However, in order to ensure its complete destruction, they entrusted to the 2nd US Ranger battalion commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James Earl Rudder the task of scaling the cliff, seizing the fortifications and disabling the guns.

On the morning of D-Day after a perilous ascent with rope ladders and grappling hooks, the U.S. commandos clashed with German gunners in a bloody battle. Once victorious, the Rangers were astonished to find the gun bunkers empty and the guns missing. They appeared to be recently moved by the Germans. After a short search the Rangers found them hidden in a sunken road nearby...

Since 1979, the conservation of this site, threatened by the erosion of the cliff, has been assigned to the American Battle Monuments Commission. Considerable work has been undertaken to allow the public to visit this historical site. Amid a lunar landscape caused by bombs and large calibre shells, one can distinguish many concrete buildings: shelters for staff, anti-aircraft artillery positions, bunkers and cannon and ammunition pits. On the top of the fortifications, at the edge of the cliff, an impressive memorial offers a splendid view of the coast.

&nbsp;

Tourist information

A Visitor center stands at the entry of the site. Free access. The Musée des Rangers at Grandcamp-Maisy presents artefacts and documents on the 2nd Rangers Battalion.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wiRbRsxJPU[/embed]

NARA / Le Mémorial de Caen

Calvados Tourisme

Pointe du Hoc

Fin 1942, les Allemands avaient installé une batterie d'artillerie à la Pointe du Hoc, un front de falaise surplombant la Manche. Équipée de six canons de 155 mm positionnés dans des trous à canons en béton ouverts (puis sous des casemates), cette batterie était en mesure de couvrir les plages qui avaient été sélectionnées pour le débarquement des troupes américaines : Utah Beach à l'ouest et Omaha Beach à l'est. Conscients de la menace, les Alliés bombardèrent la batterie à plusieurs reprises avant le débarquement. Cependant, afin de garantir sa complète destruction, ils confièrent au 2e bataillon de Rangers américains commandé par le lieutenant-colonel James Earl Rudder, la mission d'escalader la falaise, de s'emparer des fortifications et de désarmer les canons. Dans la matinée du Jour J, après une ascension périlleuse à l'aide d'échelles en corde et de grappins, les commandos américains s'opposèrent aux artilleurs allemands dans une bataille sanglante. Une fois victorieux, les Rangers furent surpris de découvrir des bunkers vides et démunis de canons. Ils avaient été déplacés par les Allemands peu de temps avant. Après quelques recherches, les Rangers les retrouvèrent cachés sur une route voisine en contrebas... Depuis 1979, la conservation de ce site, menacé par l'érosion de la falaise, est confiée à l'American Battle Monuments Commission. Un travail considérable a été réalisé pour permettre au public de visiter ce site historique. Dans un paysage devenu lunaire à cause des bombes et obus de gros calibre, il est possible de distinguer de nombreux édifices en béton : abris pour l'état-major, positions d'artillerie antiaériennes, bunkers et trous à canons et munitions. Au-dessus des fortifications, sur le bord de la falaise, un mémorial impressionnant offre une vue splendide sur la côte. Pointe du Hoc ist ein hoch gelegener Steilküstenabschnitt zwischen zwei der fünf am D-Day benutzten Landungszonen, nämlich Utah Beach und Omaha Beach. Er wurde dadurch bekannt, dass das 2. US Ranger Battalion am 6. Juni 1944 einen kühnen Angriff zur Neutralisierung der dort befindlichen deutschen Artilleriegeschützstellung führte. Do końca 1942 r. Niemcy zainstalowali baterię dział na wzniesionym nad Kanałem La Manche klifie Pointe du Hoc. Bateria złożona z sześciu dział 155 mm, umiejscowionych w betonowych, otwartych gniazdach armatnich (później w kazamatach), była w stanie pokryć ogniem plaże wybrane na lądowanie oddziałów amerykańskich, a więc plażę Utah na zachód i plażę Omaha na wschód. Świadomi zagrożenia, alianci bombardowali baterię wielokrotnie przed lądowaniem. Jednakże, aby zapewnić całkowite jej zniszczenie, powierzyli 2. Amerykańskiemu Batalionowi Rangersów pod wodzą podpułkownika Jamesa Earl Ruddera zadanie wspięcia się na klif, zajęcia fortyfikacji i rozbrojenia dział. Rankiem w dniu D-Day, po arcyniebezpiecznej wspinaczce po drabinach linowych i hakach, komandosi amerykańscy starli się z niemieckimi artylerzystami w krwawej bitwie. Zwyciężywszy, Rangersi stanęli jak wryci, ponieważ stwierdzili, że bunkry artyleryjskie są puste, a dział nie ma. Wyglądało to tak, jakby Niemcy dopiero co je wycofali. Po krótkich poszukiwaniach Rangersi znaleźli je ukryte nieopodal w przełomie drogi. Od 1979 r. utrzymanie miejsca zagrożonego erozją klifu powierzono Komisji ds. Amerykańskich Pomników Bitewnych. Podjęto prace zakrojone na znaczną skalę, żeby pozwolić turystom na odwiedzanie historycznego miejsca. W księżycowym krajobrazie lejów po bombach i pocisków dużego kalibru można zauważyć wiele betonowych budowli: schrony dla obsady, pozycje dział przeciwlotniczych, bunkry i gniazda dział i amunicji. Leżące na szczycie fortyfikacji, na krawędzi klifu miejsce pamięci otwiera wspaniały widok na wybrzeże. Eind 1942 hadden de Duitsers een artilleriebatterij geïnstalleerd bij Pointe du Hoc, een prominente klif met uitzicht over het Kanaal. Samengesteld uit zes 155mm kanonnen in open betonnen geschuts kuilen (later onder kazematten), kon deze batterij de stranden bestrijken die waren uitgekozen voor de landing van de Amerikaanse troepen; Utah Beach in het westen en Omaha Beach in het oosten.De geallieerden waren zich bewust van de dreiging en bombardeerden de batterij vele malen voor de landing. Maar om zeker te zijn van de volledige vernietiging, vertrouwden ze de taak van het beklimmen van de klif, het in beslag nemen van de vestingwerken en het uitschakelen van de kanonnen toe aan het 2e US Ranger bataljon onder bevel van luitenant-kolonel James Earl Rudder.Op de ochtend van D-Day, na een hachelijke beklimming met touwladders en enterhaken, kwamen de Amerikaanse commando's in een bloedig gevecht tegenover de Duitse kanonniers te staan. Eenmaal zegevierend zagen de Rangers tot hun verbazing dat de geschutsbunkers leeg waren en de kanonnen ontbraken. Ze leken onlangs door de Duitsers verplaatst te zijn. Na een korte zoektocht vonden de Rangers ze verborgen in een verzonken weg vlakbij...Sinds 1979 is het behoud van deze site, die bedreigd werd door de erosie van de klif, toegewezen aan de American Battle Monuments Commission. Er is veel werk verricht om het publiek in staat te stellen deze historische plek te bezoeken. Te midden van een maanlandschap, veroorzaakt door bommen en granaten van groot kaliber, zijn vele betonnen gebouwen te onderscheiden: schuilplaatsen voor het personeel, luchtafweergeschutposities, bunkers en kanon- en munitieputten.Op de top van de vestingwerken, aan de rand van de klif, biedt een indrukwekkend gedenkteken een prachtig uitzicht op de kust. Een bezoekerscentrum staat bij de ingang van de site, die gratis toegankelijk is. Het Musée des Rangers in Grandcamp-Maisy presenteert kunstvoorwerpen en documenten over het 2e Rangersbataljon. Alla fine del 1942, le forze tedesche avevano installato una batteria di artiglieria a Pointe du Hoc, una scogliera prominente che domina il Canale della Manica. Composta da sei cannoni da 155 mm posizionati in fosse di cemento aperte (in seguito, casematte), questa batteria era in grado di coprire le spiagge che erano state scelte per lo sbarco delle truppe americane: Utah Beach a ovest e Omaha Beach a est. Consapevoli della minaccia, gli alleati bombardarono la batteria molte volte prima dello sbarco. Tuttavia, per assicurarsi la sua completa distruzione, affidarono al 2° battaglione Ranger degli Stati Uniti comandato dal tenente colonnello James Earl Rudder il compito di scalare la scogliera, prendere le fortificazioni e disabilitare i cannoni. La mattina del D-Day, dopo una pericolosa scalata con scale di corda e rampini, i commando statunitensi si scontrarono con i cannonieri tedeschi in una sanguinosa battaglia. Una volta vittoriosi, i Rangers furono stupiti di trovare i bunker delle armi vuoti e i cannoni mancanti. Sembrava che fossero stati spostati di recente dai tedeschi. Dopo una breve ricerca i Rangers li trovarono nascosti in una strada incassata nelle vicinanze... Dal 1979, la conservazione di questo sito, minacciato dall'erosione della scogliera, è stata assegnata alla American Battle Monuments Commission. Un lavoro considerevole è stato intrapreso per permettere al pubblico di visitare questo sito storico. In un paesaggio lunare causato da bombe e proiettili di grosso calibro, si possono distinguere molti edifici in cemento: rifugi per il personale, postazioni di artiglieria antiaerea, bunker e fosse per cannoni e munizioni. In cima alle fortificazioni, sul bordo della scogliera, un impressionante monumento commemorativo offre una splendida vista sulla costa.&nbsp;Informazioni turistiche Un centro visitatori si trova all'entrata del sito. Accesso libero. Il Musée des Rangers a Grandcamp-Maisy presenta manufatti e documenti sul 2° Battaglione Rangers. By late 1942, the Germans had installed an artillery battery at Pointe du Hoc, a prominent cliff overlooking the English Channel. Composed of six 155mm guns positioned in open concrete gun pits (later under casemates), this battery was able to cover the beaches that had been selected for the landing of American troops; Utah Beach to the west and Omaha Beach to the east.Aware of the threat, the Allies bombed the battery many times before the landing. However, in order to ensure its complete destruction, they entrusted the task of scaling the cliff, seizing the fortifications and disabling the guns to the 2nd US Ranger battalion commanded by Lieutenant Colonel James Earl Rudder.On the morning of D-Day after a perilous ascent with rope ladders and grappling hooks, the U.S. commandos clashed with German gunners in a bloody battle. Once victorious, the Rangers were astonished to find the gun bunkers empty and the guns missing. They appeared to have been recently moved by the Germans. After a short search the Rangers found them hidden in a sunken road nearby...Since 1979, the conservation of this site, threatened by the erosion of the cliff, has been assigned to the American Battle Monuments Commission. Considerable work has been undertaken to allow the public to visit this historical site. Amid a lunar landscape caused by bombs and large calibre shells, one can distinguish many concrete buildings: shelters for staff, anti-aircraft artillery positions, bunkers and cannon and ammunition pits.On the top of the fortifications, at the edge of the cliff, an impressive memorial offers a splendid view of the coast. A Visitor centre stands at the entry of the site, which has free access.&nbsp;The Musée des Rangers at Grandcamp-Maisy presents artefacts and documents on the 2nd Rangers Battalion. <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1wiRbRsxJPU?showinfo=0"></iframe>

 Pointe du Hoc Pointe du Hoc Pointe du Hoc Pointe du Hoc Pointe du Hoc Pointe du Hoc

Sword was the code-name for the easternmost of the five landing beaches in Normandy. The stakes were high, the aim to protect the left flank of the Allied bridgehead in Normandy, in liaison with the 6th Airborne Division which had landed between the Orne and Dives rivers. Jointly they were supposed to seize the strategically important city of Caen, fifteen kilometres from Sword beach. The assault was led by the 3rd British Infantry Division, reinforced by the commandos of the 1st and 4th Special Service Brigades and supported by specially adapted tanks.The sector of Sword Beach stretched from Langrune to Ouistreham. Once landed, the commandos neutralised the German strongpoints by attacking them from both sides. The landing on Sword Beach was largely successful. After clearing Ouistreham of hostile units, the 1st Special Service Brigade was able to join the paratroopers at Bénouville and settle on the east bank of the Orne.However, the commandos who had to assure the connection with the Canadian troops landed on Juno Beach, couldn’t make it on the evening of 6 June. They were attacked by the 21st German Panzer Division. Following the loss of 50 of their tanks, the Germans abandoned their positions. Congestion on the beaches and determined resistance by some German strongpoints further inland prevented the British from capturing Caen on 6 June as they had hoped. In the end, more than a month of fighting was necessary to complete the liberation of the city on 9 July 1944.Today there are several sites and items of interest in the Hermanville area. In Hermanville-Plage, a ‘Centaur’ tank that engaged in support of the Royal Marines Commandos stands near the intersection of the rue du Dr Turgis and Rue Amiral Wietzel. Near Hermanville-Bourg a British military cemetery with 1005 graves is located, and the German “Hillman” Strongpoint at Colleville-Montgomery is also interesting to visit.<iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-e_KLuBoTug?showinfo=0"></iframe>

Sword was the code-name for the easternmost of the five landing beaches in Normandy. Reinforced by commandos and supported by specially adapted tanks, the 3rd British Infantry Division landed here. The men were to gather up with the 6th Airborne Division and capture Caen. This last objective was finally achieved a month later on 9 July.

Sword was the code-name for the easternmost of the five landing beaches in Normandy. The stakes were high. The aim was to protect the left flank of the Allied bridgehead in Normandy, in liaison with the 6th Airborne Division which had landed between the Orne and Dives rivers. Jointly they were supposed to seize the strategically important city of Caen, fifteen kilometres from Sword beach.

The assault was led by the 3rd British Infantry Division, reinforced by the commandos of the 1st and 4th Special Service Brigades and supported by specially adapted tanks. The sector of Sword Beach stretched from Langrune to Ouistreham. Once landed, the commandos neutralized the German strongpoints by attacking them from both sides.

The landing on Sword Beach was largely successful. After clearing Ouistreham of hostile units, the 1st Special Service Brigade was able to join the paratroopers at Bénouville and settle on the east bank of the Orne. Nevertheless, the commandos who had to assure the connection with the Canadian troops landed on Juno Beach, couldn’t make it on the evening of 6 June. They were attacked by the 21st German Panzer Division. After the Germans lost 50 of their tanks, they abandoned their positions.

Congestion on the beaches and determined resistance by some German strongpoints further inland, prevented the British from capturing Caen on 6 June as they had hoped. Eventually more than a month of fighting was necessary to complete the liberation of the city on 9 July 1944.

&nbsp;

Tourist information

There are several sites and items of interest In the Hermanville area. In Hermanville-Plage, a ‘Centaur’ tank which engaged in support of the Royal Marines Commandos stands near the intersection of the rue du Dr Turgis and Rue Amiral Wietzel. Near Hermanville-Bourg a British military cemetery with 1.005 graves is located. The German “Hillman” Strongpoint at Colleville-Montgomery is also interesting to visit.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e_KLuBoTug[/embed]

By No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit, Wilkes (Sgt) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

By Knight (Capt), No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Sword Beach

Sword était le nom de code de la plage la plus à l'est des cinq plages du débarquement en Normandie. Les enjeux étaient considérables. L'objectif était de protéger le flanc gauche de la tête de pont des Alliés en Normandie, avec l'aide de la 6e division aéroportée qui avait atterri entre l'Orne et la Dives. Ensemble, les deux divisions étaient censées s'emparer de la ville de Caen, d'une importance stratégique, à quinze kilomètres de Sword Beach. L'assaut fut mené par la 3e division d'infanterie britannique, avec le renfort des commandos de la 1ère et de la 4e brigades de service spécial, et le soutien de chars spécialement adaptés.Le secteur de Sword Beach s'étendait de Langrune à Ouistreham. Une fois à terre, les commandos neutralisèrent les bastions allemands en les attaquant des deux côtés. Le débarquement sur Sword Beach connut un franc succès. Après avoir éliminé les unités hostiles de Ouistreham, la 1ère brigade de service spécial fut en mesure de rejoindre les parachutistes à Bénouville et de s'établir sur la rive est de l'Orne.Néanmoins, les commandos qui devaient assurer la jonction avec les troupes canadiennes débarquées sur Juno Beach n'y parvinrent pas le soir du 6 juin. Ils furent attaqués par la 21e division Panzer allemande. Après avoir perdu 50 de leurs chars, les Allemands abandonnèrent leurs positions. L'encombrement sur les plages et la résistance opiniâtre de certains bastions allemands plus à l'intérieur des terres empêchèrent les Britanniques de capturer Caen le 6 juin comme ils l'espéraient. Plus d'un mois de combat fut finalement nécessaire pour libérer la ville le 9 juillet 1944.<iframe class="ql-video" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-e_KLuBoTug?showinfo=0" frameborder="0"></iframe> Sword war der Codename für den östlichsten der fünf Landungsstrände in der Normandie. Es stand viel auf dem Spiel, denn es galt, die linke Flanke des alliierten Brückenkopfes in der Normandie zu schützen, in Verbindung mit der 6. Gemeinsam sollten sie die strategisch wichtige Stadt Caen, fünfzehn Kilometer vom Sword Beach entfernt, einnehmen. Der Angriff wurde von der 3. britischen Infanteriedivision angeführt, die durch die Kommandos der 1. und 4. Special Service Brigades verstärkt und von speziell ausgerüsteten Panzern unterstützt wurde.Der Sektor des Sword Beach erstreckte sich von Langrune bis Ouistreham. Nach der Landung neutralisierten die Kommandos die deutschen Stellungen, indem sie sie von beiden Seiten angriffen. Die Landung am Sword Beach verlief weitgehend erfolgreich. Nachdem Ouistreham von feindlichen Einheiten gesäubert worden war, konnte sich die 1. Special Service Brigade den Fallschirmjägern in Bénouville anschließen und sich am Ostufer der Orne niederlassen.Die Kommandos, die die Verbindung mit den am Juno Beach gelandeten kanadischen Truppen sicherstellen sollten, schafften es jedoch am Abend des 6. Juni nicht. Sie wurden von der 21. deutschen Panzerdivision angegriffen. Nach dem Verlust von 50 ihrer Panzer gaben die Deutschen ihre Stellungen auf. Die Überlastung der Strände und der entschlossene Widerstand einiger deutscher Stellungen im Landesinneren verhinderten, dass die Briten Caen am 6. Juni wie erhofft einnehmen konnten. Am Ende waren mehr als ein Monat Kämpfe nötig, um die Befreiung der Stadt am 9. Juli 1944 zu vollenden.Heute gibt es in der Umgebung von Hermanville mehrere Sehenswürdigkeiten und Objekte von Interesse. In Hermanville-Plage steht an der Kreuzung der Rue du Dr. Turgis und der Rue Amiral Wietzel ein 'Centaur'-Panzer, der zur Unterstützung der Royal Marines Commandos eingesetzt wurde. In der Nähe von Hermanville-Bourg befindet sich ein britischer Soldatenfriedhof mit 1005 Gräbern, und auch der deutsche Stützpunkt "Hillman" in Colleville-Montgomery ist einen Besuch wert.<iframe class="ql-video" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-e_KLuBoTug?showinfo=0" frameborder="0"></iframe> „Sword” był kryptonimem najdalej na wschód wysuniętej spośród wszystkich stref lądowania w Normandii. Stawka była wysoka. Zadaniem lądujących tu sił była ochrona lewej flanki przyczółku alianckiego w Normandii we współpracy z 6. Dywizją Powietrznodesantową, która wylądowała między rzekami Orne i Dives. Wspólnie siły te miały zająć strategicznie ważne miasto Caen, piętnaście kilometrów od plaży Sword. Natarcie prowadziła 3. Brytyjska Dywizja Piechoty wzmocniona przez komandosów z 1. i 4. Brygady Służb Specjalnych i wspierana przez specjalnie adaptowane czołgi. Sektor plaży Sword ciągnął się od Langrune do Ouistreham. Po wylądowaniu komandosi zneutralizowali stanowiska obrony niemieckiej atakując je z dwóch stron. Lądowanie na plaży Sword zakończyło się w większości powodzeniem. Po wyparciu wrogich jednostek z Ouistreham, 1. Brygadzie Służb Specjalnych udało się połączyć ze spadochroniarzami pod Bénouville i zająć pozycję na wschodnim brzegu rzeki Orne. Jednakże, komandosi, którzy mieli zapewnić połączenie z oddziałami kanadyjskimi lądującymi na plaży Juno, nie mogli spełnić zadania wieczorem 6 czerwca. Zostali zaatakowanie przez 21 Niemiecką Dywizję Pancerną. Dopiero po utracie 50 czołgów Niemcy wycofali się. Tłok na plażach i zdecydowany opór ze strony niektórych niemieckich punktów obrony dalej w głąb lądu uniemożliwiły Brytyjczykom zajęcie Caen w dniu 6 czerwca, na co mieli nadzieję. Ostatecznie, wyzwolenie miasta kosztowało ponad miesiąc walk, a uzyskano je 9 lipca 1944 r.<iframe class="ql-video" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-e_KLuBoTug?showinfo=0" frameborder="0"></iframe> Sword was de codenaam voor het meest oostelijke van de vijf landingsstranden in Normandië. De inzet was hoog, het doel was om de linkerflank van het geallieerde bruggenhoofd in Normandië te beschermen, in samenwerking met de 6de Airborne Divisie die geland was tussen de rivieren Orne en Dives. Gezamenlijk moesten ze de strategisch belangrijke stad Caen innemen, vijftien kilometer van Sword Beach. De aanval werd geleid door de 3rd British Infantry Division, versterkt door de commando's van de 1st en 4th Special Service Brigades en ondersteund door speciaal aangepaste tanks.De sector van Sword Beach strekte zich uit van Langrune tot Ouistreham. Eenmaal geland neutraliseerden de commando's de Duitse bolwerken door ze van beide kanten aan te vallen. De landing op Sword Beach was grotendeels succesvol. Nadat Ouistreham was ontruimd van vijandelijke eenheden, kon de 1st Special Service Brigade zich bij de parachutisten bij Bénouville voegen en zich op de oostelijke oever van de Orne vestigen.De commando's die de verbinding moesten verzekeren met de Canadese troepen die op Juno Beach landden, haalden dat echter niet op de avond van 6 juni. Ze werden aangevallen door de 21ste Duitse Panzerdivision. Na het verlies van 50 van hun tanks, gaven de Duitsers hun posities op. De opstoppingen op de stranden en de vastberaden weerstand van enkele Duitse bolwerken verder landinwaarts verhinderden dat de Britten op 6 juni Caen konden veroveren zoals ze gehoopt hadden. Uiteindelijk waren er meer dan een maand van gevechten nodig om de bevrijding van de stad op 9 juli 1944 te voltooien.Vandaag de dag zijn er verschillende bezienswaardigheden in de omgeving van Hermanville. In Hermanville-Plage staat bij de kruising van de Rue du Dr. Turgis en de Rue Amiral Wietzel een 'Centaur' tank die dienst deed ter ondersteuning van de Royal Marines Commandos. Bij Hermanville-Bourg ligt een Britse militaire begraafplaats met 1005 graven en het Duitse 'Hillman' bolwerk bij Colleville-Montgomery is ook interessant om te bezoeken. Sword era il nome in codice della più orientale delle cinque spiagge dello sbarco in Normandia. La posta in gioco era alta. L'obiettivo era quello di proteggere il fianco sinistro della testa di ponte alleata in Normandia, in collegamento con la 6a Divisione Aviotrasportata che era sbarcata tra i fiumi Orne e Dives. Insieme dovevano conquistare la città di Caen, strategicamente importante, a quindici chilometri dalla spiaggia di Sword. L'assalto fu guidato dalla 3ª Divisione di fanteria britannica, rinforzata dai commandos della 1ª e 4ª Brigata di servizio speciale e sostenuta da carri armati appositamente adattati.Il settore di Sword Beach si estendeva da Langrune a Ouistreham. Una volta sbarcati, i commando neutralizzarono i punti di forza tedeschi attaccandoli da entrambi i lati. Lo sbarco a Sword Beach fu un grande successo. Dopo aver liberato Ouistreham dalle unità nemiche, la 1st Special Service Brigade fu in grado di unirsi ai paracadutisti a Bénouville e stabilirsi sulla riva orientale dell'Orne. Tuttavia, i commando che dovevano assicurare il collegamento con le truppe canadesi sbarcate a Juno Beach, non riuscirono nel loro compito la sera del 6 giugno.Furono attaccati dalla 21a divisione Panzer tedesca. Dopo che le forze tedesche persero 50 dei loro carri armati, abbandonarono le loro posizioni. La congestione sulle spiagge e la resistenza determinata di alcuni punti di forza tedeschi più all'interno impedirono agli inglesi di catturare Caen il 6 giugno come avevano sperato. Alla fine fu necessario più di un mese di combattimenti per completare la liberazione della città il 9 luglio 1944.<iframe class="ql-video" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-e_KLuBoTug?showinfo=0" frameborder="0"></iframe> Sword was the code-name for the easternmost of the five landing beaches in Normandy. The stakes were high, the aim to protect the left flank of the Allied bridgehead in Normandy, in liaison with the 6th Airborne Division which had landed between the Orne and Dives rivers. Jointly they were supposed to seize the strategically important city of Caen, fifteen kilometres from Sword beach. The assault was led by the 3rd British Infantry Division, reinforced by the commandos of the 1st and 4th Special Service Brigades and supported by specially adapted tanks.The sector of Sword Beach stretched from Langrune to Ouistreham. Once landed, the commandos neutralised the German strongpoints by attacking them from both sides. The landing on Sword Beach was largely successful. After clearing Ouistreham of hostile units, the 1st Special Service Brigade was able to join the paratroopers at Bénouville and settle on the east bank of the Orne.However, the commandos who had to assure the connection with the Canadian troops landed on Juno Beach, couldn’t make it on the evening of 6 June. They were attacked by the 21st German Panzer Division. Following the loss of 50 of their tanks, the Germans abandoned their positions. Congestion on the beaches and determined resistance by some German strongpoints further inland prevented the British from capturing Caen on 6 June as they had hoped. In the end, more than a month of fighting was necessary to complete the liberation of the city on 9 July 1944.Today there are several sites and items of interest in the Hermanville area. In Hermanville-Plage, a ‘Centaur’ tank that engaged in support of the Royal Marines Commandos stands near the intersection of the rue du Dr Turgis and Rue Amiral Wietzel. Near Hermanville-Bourg a British military cemetery with 1005 graves is located, and the German “Hillman” Strongpoint at Colleville-Montgomery is also interesting to visit.<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-e_KLuBoTug?showinfo=0" frameborder="0" class="ql-video"></iframe>

 Sword Beach Sword Beach Plaża Sword Sword Beach Sword Beach Sword Beach

While planning the invasion of Normandy (Operation Overlord), the Allied Command considered it absolutely necessary to have deep-water ports in order to dispatch reinforcements to the continent. However, the Canadian assault against Dieppe on 19 August 1942 had shown how thoroughly the German command had fortified these ports. They could not be captured without significant loss of lives and in the process, the port facilities would be reduced to ruins.The solution found by the Allied staff was to manufacture the components for two artificial ports in Britain, to be towed across the Channel and assembled on site. One of them was planned off the American landing zone called Omaha Beach, (Vierville-sur-Mer), codenamed ‘Mulberry A’, the second (‘Mulberry B’) at Arromanches, off Gold Beach, a British landing zone.The 50th British Infantry Division that landed there on 6 June, captured Arromanches that same evening. The next day, construction began by sinking old ships to form a breakwater. On 14 June, the first floating road was operational. However, a storm swept through the Channel from 19 to 22 June, damaging the ports.‘Mulberry A’ turned out to be completely unusable. Some of its surviving elements were used to repair ‘Mulberry B’, which was not as heavily damaged. In total, 529000 tons of supplies came through Arromanches until its closure on 19 November 1944. It was a remarkable feat of technological prowess, but in retrospect, the endeavour proved to be unnecessary and very costly. The Allies managed to land more men, vehicles and goods via a number of small Normandy ports, and even more directly onto the beaches.

While preparing for Operation Overlord, the Allied strategists decided to build two artificial, pre-fabricated ports in Normandy. These were considered essential for bringing reinforcements and equipment to the Continent. The remains of the port of Arromanches are still visible today as silent witnesses to this bold gamble and stunning technical achievement.

While planning the invasion of Normandy (Operation Overlord), the Allied Command considered it absolutely necessary to have deep-water ports in order to dispatch reinforcements to the continent. However, the Canadian assault against Dieppe on 19 August 1942 had shown how thoroughly the German command had fortified these ports. They could not be captured without significant loss of lives and in the process the port facilities would be reduced to ruins.

The solution found by the Allied staff was to manufacture the components for two artificial ports in Britain, to be towed across the Channel and assembled on site. One of them was planned off the American landing zone called Omaha Beach, (Vierville-sur-Mer), codenamed ‘Mulberry A’, the second (‘Mulberry B’) at Arromanches, off Gold Beach, a British landing zone. The 50th British Infantry Division that landed there on 6 June, captured Arromanches that same evening. The next day, construction began by sinking old ships to form a breakwater. On 14 June, the first floating road was operational. However, a storm swept through the Channel from 19 to 22 June, damaging the ports. ‘Mulberry A’ turned out to be completely unusable. Some of its surviving elements were used to repair ‘Mulberry B’, which was not as heavily damaged.

In total, 529.000 tons of supplies came through Arromanches until its closure on 19 November 1944. It was a remarkable feat of technological prowess, but in retrospect the endeavour proved to be unnecessary and very costly. The Allies managed to land more men, vehicles and goods via a number of small Normandy ports, and even more directly onto the beaches.

Le Mémorial de Caen

CDT 14

Sylvain Guichard

The artificial harbour of Arromanches

Lors de la préparation du débarquement en Normandie (qui constituait l'opération Overlord), les commandants alliés estimèrent qu'il était absolument nécessaire de disposer de ports en eau profonde pour pouvoir envoyer des renforts sur le continent. Cependant, l'attaque des forces canadiennes à Dieppe le 19 août 1942 avait montré à quel point l'Allemagne avait renforcé la défense de ces ports. Ils ne pourraient pas être repris sans devoir payer un lourd tribut, et de tels combats entraîneraient la destruction des infrastructures portuaires.La solution trouvée par les Alliés fut donc de réunir les composants permettant la création de deux ports artificiels au Royaume-Uni, puis de les assembler sur place, de l'autre côté de la Manche. Le premier devait permettre l'arrivée des troupes américaines sur la plage d'Omaha Beach (à Vierville-sur-Mer) et portait le nom de code « Mulberry A ». Le second devait quant à lui permettre l'arrivée des troupes britanniques sur la plage de Gold Beach (à Arromanches) et portait le nom de code « Mulberry B ».La 50e division d'infanterie britannique, qui débarqua le 6 juin, reprit la ville d'Arromanches le soir même. Le lendemain, de vieux navires furent coulés pour débuter la construction du port artificiel. Le 14 juin, la première route flottante était opérationnelle. Toutefois, une tempête s'abattit sur la Manche entre le 19 et le 22 juin, entraînant des dégâts importants sur les ports artificiels.Le « Mulberry A » n'y résista pas et devint complètement inutilisable. Les éléments pouvant être récupérés furent utilisés pour réparer le « Mulberry B », qui avait subi moins de dommages. Au total, 529 000 tonnes d'équipements furent déchargées à Arromanches jusqu'à la cessation de son activité le 19 novembre 1944. Il s'agissait d'une prouesse technique remarquable, mais cet effort se révéla a posteriori très coûteux et pas vraiment nécessaire. En effet, les Alliés parvinrent à faire débarquer plus d'hommes, de véhicules et d'équipements via des petits ports situés en Normandie, et encore davantage directement sur les plages... In Vorbereitung der Operation Overlord entschieden die alliierten Strategen, dass zwei vorgefertigte, künstliche Häfen in der Normandie gebraucht würden. Sie galten als unverzichtbar für den Transport von Verstärkung und Ausrüstung auf das Festland. Die Überreste des Hafens von Arromanches sind heute noch als stille Zeugen dieser beeindruckenden technischen Leistung zu sehen. Planując inwazję w Normandii (operacja Overlord), dowództwo sił sprzymierzonych stwierdziło, że absolutną koniecznością jest mieć do dyspozycji głębokowodne porty, aby móc przerzucać posiłki na kontynent. Jednakże, kanadyjski atak na Dieppe w dniu 19 sierpnia 1942 r. pokazał, jak drobiazgowo niemieckie dowództwo ufortyfikowało porty. Nie było mowy o tym, żeby je przechwycić bez poważnych strat w ludziach, a poza tym w toku walk same urządzenia portowe ległyby w gruzach. Rozwiązanie wypracowane przez sztab aliancki polegało na wyprodukowaniu na terenie Wielkiej Brytanii prefabrykowanych elementów dwóch sztucznych portów, które zostały następnie przeholowane na drugą stronę Kanału La Manche i zmontowane na miejscu. Jeden z dwóch portów został przewidziany tuż obok amerykańskiej strefy lądowania, zwanej Plażą Omaha (w Vierville-sur-Mer) o kryptonimie „Mulberry A”, zaś drugi („Mulberry B”) w Arromanches obok Plaży Gold będącej brytyjską strefą lądowania. 50. Brytyjska Dywizja Piechoty, która wylądowała tam w dniu 6 czerwca, przechwyciła Arromanches tego samego wieczora. Następnego dnia uruchomiono budowę, a rozpoczęto ją od zatopienia starych wraków. W dniu 14 czerwca pierwszy pomost pontonowy był gotowy. Jednakże, między 19 a 22 czerwca nad Kanałem przeszedł sztorm uszkadzając porty. Okazał się, że „Mulberry A” nie nadaje się w ogóle do użytku. Wybrane pozostałe po nim elementy spożytkowano do naprawy „Mulberry B”, który nie doznał równie ciężkich uszkodzeń. Łącznie, do momentu zamknięcia w dniu 19 listopada 1944 r., przez Arromanches przerzucono 529.000 ton zaopatrzenia. Było to znakomite osiągnięcie umiejętności technicznych, ale patrząc retrospektywnie wysiłek okazał się niepotrzebny i zbyt kosztowny. Ostatecznie, aliantom udało się przerzucić więcej ludzi, sprzętu i oprowiantowania przez szereg małych portów w Normandii, a nawet bezpośrednio z plaż... Gedurende de planning van de invasie van Normandië (Operatie Overlord) vond de geallieerde militaire staf het absoluut noodzakelijk om over diepwaterhavens te beschikken. Alleen zo konden de nodige versterkingen naar het continent komen. Maar de Canadese proef-aanval op Dieppe op 19 augustus 1942, had laten zien hoe zwaar de Duitsers deze havens hadden versterkt. Die konden niet worden veroverd zonder een aanzienlijk verlies van levens, terwijl van de havens alleen ruïnes zouden overblijven. De oplossing van de geallieerden was om in Groot-Brittannië onderdelen voor twee kunstmatige havens te vervaardigen, over het Kanaal te slepen en ter plekke te monteren. Eén haven was gepland in de Amerikaanse landingszone genaamd Omaha Beach (Vierville-sur-Mer), codenaam 'Mulberry A', de tweede ('Mulberry B') in Arromanches bij Gold Beach, de Britse landingszone. De 50e Britse Infanteriedivisie die hier landde op 6 juni, veroverde Arromanches diezelfde avond. De volgende dag begon de bouw met het afzinken van oude schepen. Op 14 juni was de eerste drijvende weg operationeel. Maar van 19 tot 22 juni raasde een storm door het Kanaal en beschadigde de havens. Mulberry A bleek volledig onbruikbaar. Sommige van de resterende elementen werden hergebruikt voor het repareren van Mulberry B, die niet zo zwaar was beschadigd. In totaal kwam 529.000 ton goederen door de haven van Arromanches, tot aan de sluiting op 19 november 1944. Een opmerkelijke prestatie van technologisch vernuft. Maar achteraf gezien was de hele onderneming eigenlijk niet nodig. De geallieerden waren er namelijk in geslaagd om meer mensen, voertuigen en goederen op het vasteland te krijgen via een aantal kleine Normandische havens en zelfs direct via de stranden... Toeristische informatie Betaald parkeren (€ 3,-). Vanaf de parkeerplaats rijdt er in het hoogseizoen een gratis toeristentrein naar het centrum. Er is ook een voetpad, maar dat is een flinke klim. Bij de panoramatafel bevindt zich het Arromanches Museum 360’. Hier kun je een 20 minuten durende HD film zien op 9 schermen over de slag om Normandië. While planning the invasion of Normandy (Operation Overlord), the Allied Command considered it absolutely necessary to have deep-water ports in order to dispatch reinforcements to the continent. However, the Canadian assault against Dieppe on 19 August 1942 had shown how thoroughly the German command had fortified these ports. They could not be captured without significant loss of lives and in the process, the port facilities would be reduced to ruins.The solution found by the Allied staff was to manufacture the components for two artificial ports in Britain, to be towed across the Channel and assembled on site. One of them was planned off the American landing zone called Omaha Beach, (Vierville-sur-Mer), codenamed ‘Mulberry A’, the second (‘Mulberry B’) at Arromanches, off Gold Beach, a British landing zone.The 50th British Infantry Division that landed there on 6 June, captured Arromanches that same evening. The next day, construction began by sinking old ships to form a breakwater. On 14 June, the first floating road was operational. However, a storm swept through the Channel from 19 to 22 June, damaging the ports.‘Mulberry A’ turned out to be completely unusable. Some of its surviving elements were used to repair ‘Mulberry B’, which was not as heavily damaged. In total, 529000 tons of supplies came through Arromanches until its closure on 19 November 1944. It was a remarkable feat of technological prowess, but in retrospect, the endeavour proved to be unnecessary and very costly. The Allies managed to land more men, vehicles and goods via a number of small Normandy ports, and even more directly onto the beaches.

 Port artificiel d’Arromanches Der künstliche Hafen von Arromanches Sztuczny port w zatoce Arromanches De kunstmatige haven van Arromanches  The artificial harbour of Arromanches

Les Braves Memorial Monument can be found on the centre of Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. The monument consists of three elements: ‘The Wings of Hope’, ‘Rise, Freedom!’ and ‘The Wings of Fraternity’. An explanation of the monument stands  on the Boulevard of Omaha Beach. <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LKMlaf-EcWU?showinfo=0"></iframe>

Les Braves Memorial Monument can be found on the centre of Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. The monument consists of three elements: ‘The Wings of Hope’, ‘Rise, Freedom!’ and ‘The Wings of Fraternity’. An explanation of the monument stands  on the Boulevard of Omaha Beach.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKMlaf-EcWU[/embed]

Dynamosquito via Flickr


Dennis Jarvis via Wiki Commons

Appaloosa via Flickr

Les Braves Omaha Beach Memorial

Monument Memorial Les Braves is te vinden in het centrum van Omaha Beach in Normandië, Frankrijk. Het monument bestaat uit drie elementen: 'The of Hope', 'Rise, Freedom!' En 'The Wings of Fraternity'. Een verklaring van het monument staat op vleugels aan de boulevard van Omaha Beach. Pomnik Les Braves na plaży Omaha znajduje się pośrodku plaży Omaha we francuskiej Normandii. Pomnik składa się z trzech elementów: „Skrzydła nadziei”, „Wzleć, Wolności!” oraz ”Braterskie skrzydła”. Dodatkowe informacje dotyczące pomnika są umieszczone na bulwarze przy plaży Omaha. Das Les Braves Omaha Beach Memorial befindet sich im Zentrum des Omaha Beach. Es setzt sich aus drei Elementen zusammen: „The Wings of Hope“ (Flügel der Hoffnung), „Rise, Freedom!“ (Erhebe dich, Freiheit!) und „The Wings of Fraternity“ (Flügel der Brüderlichkeit). Am Boulevard von Omaha Beach gibt es eine Informationstafel zur Erläuterung des Denkmals. Le monument commémoratif Les Braves se dresse au centre de la plage normande Omaha Beach, en France. Cet ensemble monumental est composé de trois sculptures : « Les ailes de l’espoir », « Debout la liberté ! » et « Les ailes de la Fraternité ». Une description du monument est affichée sur le boulevard longeant la plage. Les Braves Memorial Monument can be found on the centre of Omaha Beach in Normandy, France. The monument consists of three elements: ‘The Wings of Hope’, ‘Rise, Freedom!’ and ‘The Wings of Fraternity’. An explanation of the monument stands  on the Boulevard of Omaha Beach. <iframe class="ql-video" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LKMlaf-EcWU?showinfo=0"></iframe>

 Monument Memorial Les Braves Pomnik Les Braves na Plaży Omaha Denkmal „Les Braves“ am Omaha Beach Monument Les Braves d'Omaha Beach Les Braves Omaha Beach Memorial

Shortly after midnight on 6 June 1944, D-Day began with the landing of American and British airborne troops on French soil. The 82nd and 101st U.S. Airborne Divisions were tasked to establish a bridgehead on the Western flank of the Allied assault. 13.348 paratroopers jumped from 821 Douglas C-47 planes, while 4.400 soldiers were transported in gliders. Their mission was to back up the landing of the American infantry troops at Utah Beach and to help them take Cherbourg as fast as possible. To start with, the 82nd Division led by General Matthew B. Ridgway was to take Sainte-Mère-Église, a village on the main road linking Caen to Cherbourg, which was a likely route for a German counterattack. The paratroopers also blew up a number of bridges to prevent German reinforcements coming in from the south, and to establish strategic bridgeheads for further military operations. The 101st airborne division under General Maxwell D. Taylor had to secure a safe exit from the landing beaches. Units of this division also conducted raids against inland targets like the German gun battery located in Saint-Martin-de-Varreville and a number of bridges leading to Carentan. As the transport aircraft and the gliders closed in on the French coast, scouts marked out six drop zones with beacons and lights. This approach was successful in only one of these zones: most paratroopers landed outside the designated areas. Confusion thus prevailed as the different units could not gather up. Still, the two U.S. airborne divisions were able to accomplish most of their missions. Most importantly, Sainte-Mère-Église was liberated in the early hours of 6 June. In the afternoon the Germans managed a counterattack, but the lightly armed airborne troops held out until the next day when they were reinforced by tanks from nearby Utah Beach.

Shortly after midnight on 6 June 1944, D-Day began with the landing of American and British airborne troops on French soil. Two U.S. Airborne Divisions were tasked to establish a bridgehead in the sector of Sainte-Mère-Église, to back up the landing of the U.S. infantry on Utah Beach.

Shortly after midnight on 6 June 1944, D-Day began with the landing of American and British airborne troops on French soil. The 82nd and 101st U.S. Airborne Divisions were tasked to establish a bridgehead on the Western flank of the Allied assault. 13.348 paratroopers jumped from 821 Douglas C-47 planes, while 4.400 soldiers were transported in gliders. Their mission was to back up the landing of the American infantry troops at Utah Beach and to help them take Cherbourg as fast as possible.

To start with, the 82nd Division led by General Matthew B. Ridgway was to take Sainte-Mère-Église, a village on the main road linking Caen to Cherbourg, which was a likely route for a German counterattack. The paratroopers also blew up a number of bridges to prevent German reinforcements coming in from the south, and to establish strategic bridgeheads for further military operations.

The 101st airborne division under General Maxwell D. Taylor had to secure a safe exit from the landing beaches. Units of this division also conducted raids against inland targets like the German gun battery located in Saint-Martin-de-Varreville and a number of bridges leading to Carentan.

As the transport aircraft and the gliders closed in on the French coast, scouts marked out six drop zones with beacons and lights. This approach was successful in only one of these zones: most paratroopers landed outside the designated areas. Confusion thus prevailed as the different units could not gather up. Still, the two U.S. airborne divisions were able to accomplish most of their missions. Most importantly, Sainte-Mère-Église was liberated in the early hours of 6 June. In the afternoon the Germans managed a counterattack, but the lightly armed airborne troops held out until the next day when they were reinforced by tanks from nearby Utah Beach.

The U.S. Airlandings in Normandy

 Peu après minuit le 6 juin 1944, le Jour J débuta avec l'atterrissage des troupes aéroportées américaines et britanniques sur le sol français. Les 82e et 101e divisions aéroportées américaines reçurent la mission d'établir une tête de pont sur le flanc ouest de l'assaut des Alliés. 13 348 parachutistes furent largués de 821 avions Douglas C-47, tandis que 4 400 soldats furent transportés en planeurs. Leur mission consistait à sécuriser le débarquement des troupes d'infanterie américaines sur Utah Beach et de les aider à s'emparer de Cherbourg le plus vite possible. Pour commencer, la 82e division, sous le commandement du général Matthew B. Ridgway, devait s'emparer de Sainte-Mère-Église, un village situé sur la route principale reliant Caen à Cherbourg et menacé d'une contre-attaque allemande. Les parachutistes firent également exploser un certain nombre de ponts pour freiner les renforts allemands en provenance du sud et établir des têtes de pont stratégiques pour des opérations militaires ultérieures. La 101e division aéroportée sous le commandement du général Maxwell D. Taylor devait sécuriser la sortie des plages du débarquement. Les unités de cette division entreprirent également des raids contre les défenses intérieures telles que la batterie de canons allemande située à Saint-Martin-de-Varreville et un certain nombre de ponts sur la route de Carentan. Les éclaireurs balisèrent six zones de parachutage à l'aide de phares et de lumières pour les aéronefs de transport et les planeurs qui approchaient de la côte française. Cette méthode ne fut efficace que sur l'une des zones : la plupart des parachutistes atterrirent hors des zones balisées. Les différentes unités ne parvenant pas à se rassembler, une certaine confusion régna. Néanmoins, les deux divisions aéroportées américaines parvinrent à accomplir la plupart de leurs missions. Plus important encore, Sainte-Mère-Église fut libérée aux premières heures du 6 juin. Dans l'après-midi, les Allemands lancèrent une contre-attaque, mais les troupes aéroportées légèrement armées parvinrent à résister jusqu'à l'arrivée, le lendemain, de chars de renfort en provenance de la plage voisine, Utah Beach. Krótko po północy, w dniu 6 czerwca 1944 r., rozpoczęła się operacja D-Day, a jej pierwszą fazą było lądowanie amerykańskich i brytyjskich oddziałów powietrznodesantowych na ziemi francuskiej. 82. i 101. Dywizja Powietrznodesantowa USA otrzymała za zadanie utworzyć przyczółek na zachodniej flance linii natarcia aliantów. 13.348 spadochroniarzy przewiozło 821 samolotów Douglas C-47, zaś 4.400 żołnierzy przetransportowano szybowcami. Ich misją było wesprzeć lądowanie oddziałów piechoty amerykańskiej na plaży Utah i pomóc jej jak najszybciej zająć Cherbourg. Na początku, 82. Dywizja pod dowództwem generała Matthew B. Ridgway’a miała zająć Sainte-Mère-Église, wioskę na głównej drodze z Caen do Cherbourga, która wyznaczała prawdopodobną trasę kontrataku niemieckiego. Spadochroniarze wysadzili też szereg mostów, aby zapobiec dostarczeniu posiłków Niemcom z południa i założyć strategiczne przyczółki do dalszych operacji militarnych. 101. Dywizja Powietrznodesantowa pod dowództwem generała Maxwella D. Taylora miała zapewnić bezpieczne wyjście z plaż lądowania. Jednostki tej dywizji przeprowadzały też wypady w głąb lądu na cele takie jak niemiecka bateria dział w Saint-Martin-de-Varreville i szereg mostów wiodących do Carentan. Ponieważ wszystkie samoloty transportowe i szybowce zmierzały na francuskie wybrzeże, zwiadowcy wyznaczyli sześć stref zrzutu punktami sygnalizacyjnymi i świetlnymi. Podejście to sprawdziło się tylko w jednej ze stref, natomiast większość spadochroniarzy lądowała poza wyznaczonymi obszarami. Powstało zamieszanie, ponieważ poszczególne jednostki nie mogły się zebrać. Mimo to, dwie amerykańskie dywizje powietrznodesantowe były w stanie wykonać większość postawionych przed nimi zadań. Co ważniejsze, we wczesnych godzinach 6 czerwca wyzwolono Sainte-Mère-Église. Po południu Niemcom udało się przypuścić kontratak, ale lekko uzbrojeni spadochroniarze utrzymali pozycje do następnego dnia, kiedy to wsparły ich czołgi z pobliskiej plaży Utah. Even na middernacht op 6 juni 1944 begon D-Day met luchtlandingen van Amerikaanse en Britse para’s op Frans grondgebied. Twee Amerikaanse luchtlandingsdivisies hadden de opdracht een bruggenhoofd bij Sainte-Mère-Église te vestigen om de landingen van de Amerikaanse infanterie op Utah Beach te dekken.
Even na middernacht op 6 juni 1944 begon D-Day met de luchtlandingen van Amerikaanse en Britse para’s op Frans grondgebied. De 82e en de 101e Amerikaanse luchtlandingsdivisies hadden de opdracht een bruggenhoofd te vestigen op de westflank van de geallieerde aanval. 13.348 para’s sprongen uit 821 Douglas C-47 vliegtuigen terwijl 4.400 soldaten landden met zweefvliegtuigen. Hun opdracht was om de landingen van de Amerikaanse infanterie op Utah Beach te dekken en gezamelijk zo snel mogelijk Cherbourg in te nemen. De 82e Divisie onder leiding van generaal Matthew B. Ridgway moest Sainte-Mère-Église veroveren, een dorp op de hoofdweg tussen Caen en Cherbourg. Dit was de meest waarschijnlijke weg voor een Duitse tegenaanval. De para’s bliezen een aantal bruggen op om te voorkomen dat de Duitsers versterkingen vanuit het zuiden zouden aanrukken en ze vestigden op een aantal strategische punten een bruggenhoofd voor latere acties. De 101e Luchtlandingsdivisie onder leiding van generaal Maxwell D. Taylor moest de uitgangen van de landingsstranden veilig stellen. Ook moesten ze doelen landinwaarts aanvallen, zoals de Duitse geschutsbatterij bij Saint-Martin-de-Varreville en een aantal bruggen richting Carentan. Om de naderende transport- en zweefvliegtuigen de weg te wijzen, hadden scouts de zes landingsplaatsen gemarkeerd met lichtbakens. Deze aanpak werkte maar op één plek. De meeste para’s landden ver buiten hun toegewezen zone. Het resultaat was een grote verwarring, omdat de eenheden elkaar niet konden vinden. Toch wisten de twee Amerikaanse divisies de meeste van hun doelen te bereiken. Het belangrijkste was de bevrijding van Sainte-Mère-Église vroeg in de ochtend. In de middag begonnen de Duitsers de verwachte tegenaanval, die door de licht bewapende luchtlandingstroepen werd afgeslagen. De volgende dag werden ze bijgestaan door de tanks die geland waren op Utah Beach. Am 6. Juni 1944, kurz nach Mitternacht, begann mit der Landung amerikanischer und britischer Luftlandeeinheiten auf französischem Gebiet der D-Day. Zwei amerikanische Luftlandedivisionen sollten einen Brückenkopf im Gebiet von Sainte-Mère-Église errichten, um die Landung der US-Infanterie am Küstenabschnitt Utah Beach zu sichern.
Am 6. Juni 1944, kurz nach Mitternacht, landeten amerikanische und britische Luftlandeeinheiten auf französischem Gebiet: der D-Day hatte begonnen. Die 82. und die 101. US-Luftlandedivisionen hatten den Auftrag, einen Brückenkopf an der Westflanke des alliierten Angriffs zu errichten. 13.348 Fallschirmjäger sprangen aus 821 Douglas C-47 Flugzeugen ab, 4.400 Soldaten wurden in Lastenseglern herangeflogen. Sie sollten die Landung amerikanischer Infanterieeinheiten am Küstenabschnitt Utah Beach sichern und diese dabei unterstützen, Cherbourg so schnell wie möglich einzunehmen. Die 82. Division unter dem Befehl von General Matthew B. Ridgway sollte nach Sainte-Mère-Église, eine Ortschaft an der Hauptstraße zwischen Caen und Cherbourg, vorstoßen, denn aus dieser Richtung musste man Gegenangriffe der Deutschen erwarten. Die Fallschirmjäger sprengten außerdem einige Brücken, um von Süden her anrückende deutsche Verstärkungen zu stoppen und strategische Brückenköpfe für weitere Operationen zu errichten. Die 101. Luftlandedivision unter General Maxwell D. Taylor musste das sichere Ausbrechen von den Landungsstränden gewährleisten. Einige Einheiten der Division führten auch Überraschungsangriffe gegen Ziele tiefer im Land, wie die deutsche Artillerie-Stellung in Saint-Martin-de-Varreville und einige Brücken auf der Straße nach Carentan. Als die Transportflugzeuge und Lastensegler sich der französischen Küste näherten, markierten Aufklärer mit Lichtern und Signalfeuern sechs Landezonen, was allerdings nur in einer Zone erfolgreich war, denn die meisten Fallschirmjäger landeten außerhalb der für sie vorgesehenen Sektoren. Da die Soldaten Probleme hatten, ihre Einheiten zu finden, kam es zu einiger Verwirrung. Trotzdem gelang es den beiden Luftlandedivisionen, die meisten ihrer Ziele zu erreichen. Am wichtigsten war, dass Sainte-Mère-Église in den frühen Morgenstunden des 6. Juni befreit wurde. Am Nachmittag starteten deutsche Einheiten zwar einen Gegenangriff, doch die Fallschirmjäger, obwohl nur leicht bewaffnet, hielten die Stellung, bis ihnen am Tag darauf vom nahegelegenen Utah Beach anrückende Panzereinheiten zu Hilfe kamen. Touristische Informationen Am Marktplatz von Sainte-Mère-Église befindet sich ein Tourismusbüro. Shortly after midnight on 6 June 1944, D-Day began with the landing of American and British airborne troops on French soil. The 82nd and 101st U.S. Airborne Divisions were tasked to establish a bridgehead on the Western flank of the Allied assault. 13.348 paratroopers jumped from 821 Douglas C-47 planes, while 4.400 soldiers were transported in gliders. Their mission was to back up the landing of the American infantry troops at Utah Beach and to help them take Cherbourg as fast as possible. To start with, the 82nd Division led by General Matthew B. Ridgway was to take Sainte-Mère-Église, a village on the main road linking Caen to Cherbourg, which was a likely route for a German counterattack. The paratroopers also blew up a number of bridges to prevent German reinforcements coming in from the south, and to establish strategic bridgeheads for further military operations. The 101st airborne division under General Maxwell D. Taylor had to secure a safe exit from the landing beaches. Units of this division also conducted raids against inland targets like the German gun battery located in Saint-Martin-de-Varreville and a number of bridges leading to Carentan. As the transport aircraft and the gliders closed in on the French coast, scouts marked out six drop zones with beacons and lights. This approach was successful in only one of these zones: most paratroopers landed outside the designated areas. Confusion thus prevailed as the different units could not gather up. Still, the two U.S. airborne divisions were able to accomplish most of their missions. Most importantly, Sainte-Mère-Église was liberated in the early hours of 6 June. In the afternoon the Germans managed a counterattack, but the lightly armed airborne troops held out until the next day when they were reinforced by tanks from nearby Utah Beach.

 Le débarquement aérien américain en Normandie Lądowania Amerykanów w Normandii De Amerikaanse luchtlandingen in Normandië Die Luftlandeoperation der US-Streitkräfte in der Normandie The U.S. Airlandings in Normandy

During the occupation of France, the German Navy set up a huge 4 x 210 mm gun battery in Crisbecq, a small village located in the Saint-Marcouf district. This battery represented a real danger for the ships transporting American troops to the Utah Beach landing areas. For that reason it was heavily bombarded by Allied aircraft in the early days of spring 1944, as well as in the night of 5 June.However, the battery suffered little damage and on the morning of 6 June it opened fire on the Allied naval forces. In the ensuing artillery battle the fleet soon got the upper hand. Then, German forces aimed their remaining operational cannon towards the Utah Beach seashores. In the morning of 7 June, many American soldiers from the 22nd Infantry Regiment (4th Division) died in a vain attempt to take the German position. The 400 German soldiers commanded by the Oberleutnant zur See (naval lieutenant) Walter Ohmsen stubbornly resisted the assaults of the American ground troops and paratroopers. The German garrison finally withdrew on the night of 11 June.Since 2004, a museum located on the site of the German battery has been open to the public. Inside, visitors can discover a number of fortified buildings, typical of the Atlantic Wall shelters which could accommodate soldiers, anti-aircraft cannon, machine guns, but also a kitchen or a nursery. Though the guns have been removed, visitors can discover a wealth of war items, weapons and uniforms enabling them to visualise the living conditions of German soldiers before the Allied landings.

The Saint-Marcouf (or Crisbecq) artillery battery played a major role during the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, as it challenged the Allied fleet in front of Utah Beach and offered resistance to the progress of American forces. The museum enables visitors to discover how the defence of the German army along the ‘Atlantic Wall’ was organised.

During the occupation of France, the German Navy set up a huge 4 x 210 mm gun battery in Crisbecq, a small village located in the Saint-Marcouf district.

This battery represented a real danger for the ships transporting American troops to the Utah Beach landing areas. For that reason it was heavily bombarded by Allied aircraft in the early days of spring 1944, as well as in the night of 5 June.

Yet, the battery suffered little damage and, in the morning of 6 June, it opened fire on the Allied naval forces. In the ensuing artillery battle the fleet soon got the upper hand.
Then, German forces aimed their remaining operational cannon towards the Utah Beach seashores. In the morning of 7 June, many American soldiers from the 22nd Infantry Regiment (4th Division) died in a vain attempt to take the German position.

The 400 German soldiers commanded by the Oberleutnant zur See (naval lieutenant) Walter Ohmsen stubbornly resisted the assaults of the American ground troops and paratroopers. The German garrison finally withdrew in the night of 11 June.

Since 2004, a museum located on the site of the German battery has been open to the public. Inside, visitors will discover a number of fortified buildings, typical of the Atlantic Wall shelters which could accommodate soldiers, anti-aircraft cannon, machine guns, but also a kitchen or a nursery.

Though the guns have been removed, visitors can discover a wealth of war items, weapons and uniforms enabling them to visualize the living conditions of German soldiers before the Allied landings.

Services américains d'information / Le Mémorial de Caen

The Crisbecq Battery Museum

Pendant l'occupation en France, la marine allemande établit une batterie conséquente de 4 canons de 210 mm à Crisbecq, petit hameau situé dans la commune de Saint-Marcouf. Cette batterie constituait un réel danger pour les bateaux transportant les troupes américaines vers les zones de débarquement d’Utah Beach. C'est pour cette raison qu'elle fut lourdement bombardée par les avions alliés aux premiers jours du printemps 1944, ainsi que dans la nuit du 5 juin.Cependant, la batterie subit peu de dommages et, dans la matinée du 6 juin, elle ouvrit le feu sur les forces navales alliées. Dans la bataille d'artillerie qui suivit, la flotte prit rapidement le dessus. C'est pourquoi les forces allemandes dirigèrent leur dernier canon opérationnel sur le littoral d’Utah Beach. Dans la matinée du 7 juin, de nombreux soldats américains du 22e régiment d'infanterie (4e division) moururent après une vaine tentative pour prendre la position allemande. Les 400 soldats allemands sous le commandement du Oberleutnant zur See (lieutenant de vaisseau) Walter Ohmsen résistèrent obstinément aux assauts des troupes au sol et des parachutistes américains. La garnison allemande se retira finalement dans la nuit du 11 juin.Depuis 2004, un musée situé sur le site de la batterie allemande est ouvert au public. À l'intérieur, les visiteurs peuvent découvrir un certain nombre de constructions fortifiées, typiques des abris du Mur de l'Atlantique qui pouvaient accueillir soldats, canons antiaériens, mitrailleuses, mais également une cuisine ou une infirmerie. Malgré le retrait des canons, les visiteurs peuvent découvrir une panoplie de matériels de guerre, d'armes et d'uniformes, et ainsi découvrir les conditions de vie des soldats allemands avant le débarquement des Alliés. Da sie für die Schiffe, die amerikanische Truppen zu den Landungsgebieten am Küstenabschnitt Utah Beach transportieren sollten, eine große Gefahr darstellte, wurde sie im Frühjahr 1944 und in der Nacht zum 5. Juni Ziel schwerer alliierter Luftangriffe. Die dabei zugefügten Schäden bleiben aber gering, so dass die alliierte Marine am Morgen des 6. Juni von dort unter Beschuss genommen werden konnte. Im darauf folgenden Artilleriegefecht gewannen die Schiffgeschütze der Flotte bald die Oberhand. Die letzte noch einsatzfähige Kanone richteten die Deutschen schließlich auf die Küste am Utah Beach. Am Morgen des 7. Juni starben viele amerikanische Soldaten des 22. Infanterieregiments (4. Division) beim vergeblichen Versuch, die deutsche Stellung zu nehmen. Die 400 deutschen Soldaten unter dem Befehl von Oberleutnant zur See Walter Ohmsen schlugen die Angriffe der amerikanischen Bodentruppen und Fallschirmjäger immer wieder zurück. In der Nacht des 11. Juni zog sich die deutsche Garnison schließlich zurück. Seit 2004 befindet sich ein der Öffentlichkeit zugängliches Museum auf dem Gelände der ehemaligen Geschützstellung. Hier können die Besucher mehrere befestigte, für die Bunker am Atlantikwall typische Gebäude sehen, in denen die Soldaten untergebracht und die mit Fliegerabwehrgeschützen und Maschinengewehren, aber auch einer Küche und einer Krankenstation, ausgerüstet waren. Auch wenn die Geschütze entfernt worden sind, findet der Besucher dort eine große Zahl von Kriegsmaterial, Waffen und Uniformen vor, anhand derer er sich ein Bild von den Lebensbedingungen der deutschen Soldaten vor der Landung der Alliierten machen kann. W okresie okupacji Francji, niemiecka marynarka wojenna wzniosła baterię olbrzymich dział 4 x 210 mm w Crisbecq, małej wiosce w okręgu Saint-Marcouf. Bateria ta była poważnym zagrożeniem dla statków transportujących oddziały amerykańskie do miejsc lądowania na plaży Utah. Z tego powodu na początku wiosny 1944 r., a także nocą 5 czerwca, była intensywnie bombardowana przez lotnictwo alianckie. Mimo to, sama bateria ucierpiała niewiele, a rankiem 6 czerwca otworzyła ogień na morskie siły sprzymierzone. W bitwie artyleryjskiej, która się w ten sposób wywiązała, flota wkrótce odniosła zwycięstwo. Wówczas, siły niemieckie wycelowały pozostałe sprawne jeszcze działa na samą plażę Utah. Rankiem 7 czerwca wielu żołnierzy amerykańskich z 22. Pułku Piechoty (4. Dywizja) zginęło podejmując nieskuteczne próby opanowania pozycji niemieckiej. 400 żołnierzy niemieckich pod komendą Oberleutnant zur See (porucznika marynarki wojennej) Waltera Ohmsena uparcie odpierało ataki amerykańskich sił lądowych i spadochronowych. Garnizon niemiecki wycofał się w końcu w nocy 11 czerwca. Od 2004 r. istnieje tu otwarte do zwiedzania muzeum mieszczące się w obiektach niemieckiej baterii. Tam, zwiedzający odkryją szereg ufortyfikowanych konstrukcji, typowych schronów Wału Atlantyckiego, które mogły mieścić kwatery żołnierskie, pomieszczenia działka przeciwlotniczego, karabinów maszynowych, a także kuchnię lub salę chorych. Choć same działa usunięto, zwiedzający odkryją ogromne bogactwo artefaktów wojennych, broni i mundurów, które umożliwią im wyobrażenie sobie warunków bytowania niemieckich żołnierzy przed lądowaniem aliantów. Tijdens de bezetting van Frankrijk bouwde de Duitse marine een grote 4 x 210 mm kanonstelling in Crisbecq, een klein dorp in het Saint-Marcouf district. Deze batterij was een serieus gevaar voor de schepen die Amerikaanse troepen naar Utah Beach brachten. Om die rede werd het zwaar gebombardeerd in de lente van 1944 en in de nacht van 5 juni. Hoewel de batterij licht was beschadigd opende het die ochtend van 6 juni het vuur op de geallieerde vloot. In het daarop volgende artillerieduel kreeg de vloot snel de overhand. Toen richtten de Duitse eenheden hun enig overgebleven kanon op de stranden van Utah Beach. In de morgen van 7 juni stierven een groot aantal soldaten van het Amerikaanse 22e Infanterieregiment (4e Divisie) in een vergeefse poging de Duitse versterking in te nemen. De 400 Duitse soldaten onder leiding van Oberleutnant zur See (marine- luitenant) Walter Ohmsen boden koppig weerstand tegen de aanvallen van de grondtroepen en para’s. Het Duitse garnizoen trok zich uiteindelijk terug op 11 juni. Sinds 2004 is er op de plaats van de batterij een museum. Hier ontdekken de bezoekers een aantal versterkte gebouwen, typerend voor de Atlantic Wall-bunkers, die onderdak boden aan soldaten, kanonnen, machinegeweren, maar ook een keuken en een ziekenboeg. Hoewel de kanonnen zijn verdwenen, kunnen de bezoekers een keur aan wapens en uniformen aantreffen die een beeld geven van de Duitse soldaten voor de geallieerde landing. Toeristische informatie Ga voor meer informatie en de openingstijden naar: http://www.batterie-marcouf.com Durante l’occupazione della Francia, la marina tedesca creò un’enorme batteria di 4 x 210 mm a Crisbecq, un piccolo paese nel distretto di Saint-Marcouf.  Questa batteria poteva rappresentare un vero pericolo per le navi che trasportavano le truppe americane verso le zone di sbarco di Utah Beach. Per questo motivo, essa fu pesantemente bombardata da aerei alleati nella primavera del 1944 e nella notte del 5 giugno.  Tuttavia, la batteria non fu molto danneggiata e, nel mattino dei 6 giugno, aprì il fuoco sulle forze navali alleate. Nella seguente battaglia di artiglieria, la flotta ebbe la meglio. In seguito, le forze tedesche puntarono i loro cannoni rimanenti verso la spiaggia di Utah Beach. Il mattino del 7 giugno, molti soldati americani del 22esimo Reggimento di fanteria (Quarta divisione) morirono nel tentativo di conquistare la posizione tedesca.   I 400 soldati tedeschi comandati dal Luogotenente della Marina Walter Ohmsen resistettero strenuamente agli assalti delle truppe di terra e dei paracadutisti americani. La guarnigione tedesca si ritirò infine nella notte dell’11 giugno.  Nel 2004 è stato aperto un museo situato nel luogo della batteria tedesca. Al suo interno, i visitatori possono scoprire un numero di edifici fortificati, tipici del Vallo Atlantico, ma anche una cucina e un’infermeria.  Anche se le armi sono state rimosse, i visitatori possono vedere una grande quantità di cimeli di guerra, armi e uniformi che permettono di immaginare le condizioni di vita dei soldati tedeschi prima degli sbarchi alleati. During the occupation of France, the German Navy set up a huge 4 x 210 mm gun battery in Crisbecq, a small village located in the Saint-Marcouf district. This battery represented a real danger for the ships transporting American troops to the Utah Beach landing areas. For that reason it was heavily bombarded by Allied aircraft in the early days of spring 1944, as well as in the night of 5 June.However, the battery suffered little damage and on the morning of 6 June it opened fire on the Allied naval forces. In the ensuing artillery battle the fleet soon got the upper hand. Then, German forces aimed their remaining operational cannon towards the Utah Beach seashores. In the morning of 7 June, many American soldiers from the 22nd Infantry Regiment (4th Division) died in a vain attempt to take the German position. The 400 German soldiers commanded by the Oberleutnant zur See (naval lieutenant) Walter Ohmsen stubbornly resisted the assaults of the American ground troops and paratroopers. The German garrison finally withdrew on the night of 11 June.Since 2004, a museum located on the site of the German battery has been open to the public. Inside, visitors can discover a number of fortified buildings, typical of the Atlantic Wall shelters which could accommodate soldiers, anti-aircraft cannon, machine guns, but also a kitchen or a nursery. Though the guns have been removed, visitors can discover a wealth of war items, weapons and uniforms enabling them to visualise the living conditions of German soldiers before the Allied landings.

 Musée de la Batterie de Crisbecq Batterie von Crisbecq Muzeum Baterii Crisbecq Het Crisbecq-batterijmuseum Il Museo della Batteria di Crisbecq The Crisbecq Battery Museum

​​​Chambois is located in the French Department of Orne, on the River Dives. In the centre of the town stands its 12th century medieval castle. This was once at the heart of the Battle of Normandy. On 16 August 1944, it was between this town and the commune of Trun that General Montgomery gave the order to close the Falaise pocket on what remained of the 7th German Army.​At the same time, the High Command had ordered the general withdrawal of the German armies along the River Seine. The soldiers of the American 90th Infantry Division were then 5km from Chambois, and the Polish forces of the 1st Armoured Division were 25km further north, in Jort. While the German forces resisted the American troops’ push to maintain an open gap, the Polish forces of the 10th Dragon Regiment and the 24th Lancers were progressing rapidly. On 17 August, the two Allied armies were only 9km apart, forming the bottleneck of a 32km by 16km pocket, in which nearly 100,000 German soldiers were trapped.On 19 August, the tanks of the Polish battle group of Colonel Zgorzelski climbed the hill of Mont Ormel, which dominated the outskirts of Chambois, before taking the town. In the evening, the Americans of the 2nd Battalion, 359th Regiment, US 90th Infantry Division, along with General Leclerc’s 2nd Armoured Division, joined forces with the Polish and Canadian troops who had arrived in the centre of the town. Chambois was taken, but the pocket was not closed.​For three days there was intense fighting around Trun, Saint-Lambert, Chambois, Coudehard and Tournai. German troops tried to flee by any possible means, breaking the existing encirclement by passing through Chambois. Of these troops, 45,000 managed to escape in the direction of the River Seine, however, 10,000 German men were killed and 50,000 were taken prisoner. The day of its liberation, Chambois experienced a complete nightmare of devastation that remains forever attached to this place of carnage.​​

​The road to Chambois cleared by the 53rd Division, 21 to 24 August 1944

The road to Chambois during the battle

The junction between American and Polish troops allowed the capture of Chambois on 19 August 1944.

​American and Polish soldiers during the Battle of Chambois

​At the foot of the castle in Chambois, a monument recalls that it was here that the Allies made their junction and put an end to the Battle of Normandy​

The monument of the Battle of Chambois

​​The Battle of Chambois​

​​​Chambois is located in the French Department of Orne, on the River Dives. In the centre of the town stands its 12th century medieval castle. This was once at the heart of the Battle of Normandy. On 16 August 1944, it was between this town and the commune of Trun that General Montgomery gave the order to close the Falaise pocket on what remained of the 7th German Army.​At the same time, the High Command had ordered the general withdrawal of the German armies along the River Seine. The soldiers of the American 90th Infantry Division were then 5km from Chambois, and the Polish forces of the 1st Armoured Division were 25km further north, in Jort. While the German forces resisted the American troops’ push to maintain an open gap, the Polish forces of the 10th Dragon Regiment and the 24th Lancers were progressing rapidly. On 17 August, the two Allied armies were only 9km apart, forming the bottleneck of a 32km by 16km pocket, in which nearly 100,000 German soldiers were trapped.On 19 August, the tanks of the Polish battle group of Colonel Zgorzelski climbed the hill of Mont Ormel, which dominated the outskirts of Chambois, before taking the town. In the evening, the Americans of the 2nd Battalion, 359th Regiment, US 90th Infantry Division, along with General Leclerc’s 2nd Armoured Division, joined forces with the Polish and Canadian troops who had arrived in the centre of the town. Chambois was taken, but the pocket was not closed.​For three days there was intense fighting around Trun, Saint-Lambert, Chambois, Coudehard and Tournai. German troops tried to flee by any possible means, breaking the existing encirclement by passing through Chambois. Of these troops, 45,000 managed to escape in the direction of the River Seine, however, 10,000 German men were killed and 50,000 were taken prisoner. The day of its liberation, Chambois experienced a complete nightmare of devastation that remains forever attached to this place of carnage.​​ Dans l’Orne, organisé autour de son donjon médiéval du 12e siècle, Chambois est au cœur de la bataille de Normandie. C’est entre Trun et Chambois que le Général Montgomery a donné l’ordre le 16 août 1944 de refermer la poche de Falaise sur ce qu’il reste de la 7e armée allemande. Dans le même temps, le repli général des armées allemandes sur la Seine a été ordonné par le Haut-Commandement. Les Américains de la 90e division d’infanterie sont alors à 5km de Chambois, les Polonais de la 1re DB, 25km plus au nord. Tandis que les Allemands résistent à la poussée américaine pour maintenir une brèche ouverte, les Polonais du 10e régiment de Dragon et du 24e régiment lanciers progressent rapidement. Le 17 août les deux armées alliées ne sont plus qu’à 9km l’une de l’autre, formant le goulet d’étranglement d’une poche de 32km sur 16km et dans laquelle près de 100 000 Allemands se retrouvent piégés.Le 19 les blindés du groupement tactique polonais du colonel Zgorzelski se sont hissés sur la colline du Mont Ormel qui domine les abords de Chambois avant de prendre le village. Dans la soirée les Américains du 2e bataillon du 359e régiment de la 90e division d’infanterie, auxquels s’est joint la 2e DB du général Leclerc, conjuguent leurs efforts et effectuent leur jonction avec les Polonais et les Canadiens arrivés dans le centre du bourg. Chambois est prises, mais la poche n’est pas pour autant fermée.Durant trois jours de combats intenses autour Trun, Saint-Lambert, Chambois, Coudehard et Tournai, les Allemands tentent de fuir par tous les chemins possibles, brisant l’encerclement en cours en passant par Chambois.45 000 d’entre eux parviennent à s’échapper en direction de la Seine. 10 000 hommes Allemands sont tués, 50 000 autres sont faits prisonniers.Le jour de sa libération Chambois est entièrement dévastée avec une vision de cauchemar qui restera durablement attaché à ce lieu de carnage. Chambois ligt in het Franse departement Orne, aan de rivier de Dives. In het centrum van de stad staat het middeleeuwse kasteel uit de 12e eeuw. Dit stond ooit centraal in de Slag om Normandië. Op 16 augustus 1944 was het tussen deze stad en de gemeente Trun dat generaal Montgomery het bevel gaf om de zak van Falaise af te sluiten voor wat overbleef van het 7e Duitse leger.Tegelijkertijd had het opperbevel de algemene terugtrekking van de Duitse legers langs de rivier de Seine bevolen. De soldaten van de Amerikaanse 90ste Infanteriedivisie bevonden zich toen op 5 km van Chambois en de Poolse troepen van de 1ste Pantserdivisie bevonden zich 25 km verder naar het noorden, in Jort. Terwijl de Duitse troepen zich verzetten tegen de Amerikaanse troepen om een open kloof te behouden, vorderden de Poolse troepen van het 10de Dragon Regiment en de 24ste Lancers snel. Op 17 augustus waren de twee geallieerde legers slechts 9 km van elkaar verwijderd en vormden ze de flessenhals van een zak van 32 km bij 16 km, waarin bijna 100.000 Duitse soldaten vastzaten.Op 19 augustus beklommen de tanks van de Poolse gevechtsgroep van kolonel Zgorzelski de heuvel Mont Ormel, die de buitenwijken van Chambois domineerde, voordat ze de stad innamen. s Avonds bundelden de Amerikanen van het 2de Bataljon, 359ste Regiment, US 90ste Infanteriedivisie, samen met de 2de Pantserdivisie van generaal Leclerc, hun krachten met de Poolse en Canadese troepen die in het centrum van de stad waren aangekomen. Chambois werd ingenomen, maar de zak werd niet gesloten.Drie dagen lang werd er hevig gevochten rond Trun, Saint-Lambert, Chambois, Coudehard en Doornik. Duitse troepen probeerden op alle mogelijke manieren te vluchten en doorbraken de bestaande omsingeling door via Chambois te gaan. Van deze troepen slaagden 45.000 erin te ontsnappen in de richting van de rivier de Seine, maar 10.000 Duitse mannen werden gedood en 50.000 gevangen genomen. Op de dag van de bevrijding beleefde Chambois een complete nachtmerrie van verwoesting die voor altijd verbonden blijft met deze plaats van slachting.

 Les combats de Chambois ​​The Battle of Chambois​ De slag bij Chambois

Toward Falaise, the main objective of the Allies was the Verrières Ridge, an elevated position overlooking the Caen-Falaise road, eight kilometres south of Caen.Two Canadian Infantry Divisions supported by the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade were involved in a fight against elements of three German Panzer divisions. The ridge was defended by German veterans who had been pushed back from Caen (liberated in two phases on 9 July and 19 July) and had established a strong defensive position there. As part of Operation Atlantic, the Canadian component of Operation Goodwood, the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division crossed the Orne and the Odon rivers and established two bridgeheads at Vaucelles and Louvigny. However, after liberating Cormelles-le-Royal, Fleury and Louvigny, it remained blocked on July 19, on the crest of Verrières defended by the 9th SS Division and the 272nd Infantry Division. Four days of fighting were not enough to defeat the German grenadiers. The outbreak of a new offensive on 25 July, Operation Spring, allowed the infantry of the 2nd Canadian Division to invade Verrières in the morning and then, after having repelled three counterattacks during the day, to definitively liberate the village.However, the Canadians were unable to take the ridge from the hands of the Germans. In the fighting, the Canadian Black Watch battalion lost 315 men out of 325 initially engaged fighters, making 25 July the day with the most fatalities for Canadians since the Dieppe Raid of 1942. The crest of Verrières was finally taken during Operation Totalise on 7 August 1944.One kilometre north of the village of Saint-Martin-de-Fontenay, the Canadian Monument on Hill 67 commemorates the fighting in this area of several Canadian regiments. From this point, visitors can appreciate the panoramic view over the villages of Saint-Martin-de-Fontenay and May-sur-Orne as well as the Verrières Ridge.It was during this battle that Gérard Doré was killed. At sixteen years, he was the youngest of the Allied fighters to perish in Normandy. Doré, member of the Canadian infantry regiment of Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, had falsified his identity card at the time of his voluntary engagement. Doré was fatally hit on 23 July 1944 by a machine gun shot in front of Verrières Ridge.

The main Canadian monument at Saint-Martin-de-Fontenay. 

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Canadian soldier near Fleury-sur-Orne during the early hours of 25 July 1944.

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20 July 1944, 7th Armoured Division Cromwell A27M tanks advancing in column towards Verrières.

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Hill 67 and the Verrières ridge 

L'objectif principal des Alliés était la crête de Verrières, une position surélevée vers Falaise qui dominait la route Caen-Falaise, à huit kilomètres au sud de Caen.Deux divisions d'infanterie canadiennes appuyées par la 2è brigade blindée canadienne s'opposèrent dans un combat contre des éléments de trois divisions allemandes de Panzer. La crête était défendue par des vétérans allemands qui avaient été repoussés de Caen (libérée en deux temps les 9 et 19 juillet) et y avaient établi une solide position défensive. La 2è division d'infanterie canadienne, élément de l'opération Goodwood, traversa les rivières Orne et Odon et deux têtes de pont furent installées à Vaucelles et à Louvigny dans le cadre de l'opération Atlantique. Après avoir libéré Cormelles-le-Royal, Fleury et Louvigny, la 2è division d'infanterie est stoppée le 19 juillet, sur la crête de Verrières défendue par la 9ème division SS et la 272ème division d’infanterie. Quatre jours de combats n’ont pas suffi à vaincre les grenadiers allemands. Le 25 juillet, une nouvelle offensive ayant pour nom Opération Spring, permet à l'infanterie de la 2ème division canadienne d'envahir Verrières dans la matinée. Après avoir repoussé trois contre-attaques dans la journée, la 2ème division canadienne parvient à libérer définitivement le village.Cependant, les Canadiens ne purent prendre la crête des mains des allemands. Dans les combats, le bataillon canadien Black Watch perdit 315 hommes sur 325 combattants initialement engagés, faisant du 25 juillet la journée la plus coûteuse en vie humaine pour les canadiens depuis le raid de Dieppe de 1942. La crête de Verrières est finalement prise lors de l’opération Totalise le 7 août 1944.À un kilomètre au nord du village de Saint-Martin-de-Fontenay, le monument canadien sur la côte 67 commémore les combats dans ce secteur de plusieurs régiments canadiens. À partir de cet endroit, les visiteurs peuvent découvrir la vue panoramique sur les villages de Saint-Martin-de-Fontenay et May-sur-Orne ainsi que sur la crête de Verrières.C’est au cours de cette bataille que Gérard Doré a été tué. Il meurt à l'âge de 16 ans et est considéré comme le plus jeune soldat Allié décédé en Normandie. Doré, membre du régiment d'infanterie canadien des Fusiliers Mont-Royal, avait menti sur son âge en falsifiant sa carte d'identité lors de son engagement volontaire. Doré est tué au combat par un tir de mitrailleuse pendant la bataille de la crête de Verrières, le 23 juillet 1944. Auf dem Weg nach Falaise war das Hauptziel der Alliierten der Verrières-Kamm, eine erhöhte Stellung über der Straße von Caen nach Falaise, acht Kilometer südlich von Caen.Zwei kanadische Infanteriedivisionen, unterstützt von der 2.&nbsp;kanadischen Panzerbrigade, waren am Kampf gegen Teile dreier deutscher Panzerdivisionen beteiligt.&nbsp;&nbsp;Der Kamm wurde von deutschen Veteranen verteidigt, die aus Caen zurückgedrängt worden waren (die Befreiung erfolgte in zwei Phasen am 9. und am 19.&nbsp;Juli) und dort eine starke Verteidigungsstellung bezogen hatten.Im Rahmen der Operation Atlantic, dem kanadischen Beitrag zur Operation Goodwood, überquerte die 2. kanadische Infanteriedivision die Flüsse Orne und Odon und errichtete bei Vaucelles und Louvigny zwei Brückenköpfe.&nbsp;Nach der Befreiung von Cormelles-le-Royal, Fleury und Louvigny blieb sie jedoch am 19.&nbsp;Juli auf dem Verrières-Kamm stecken, der von der 9.&nbsp;SS-Division und der 272.&nbsp;Infanteriedivision verteidigt wurde.&nbsp;Auch nach vier Tagen Kampf konnten die deutschen Grenadiere nicht besiegt werden.&nbsp;Mit dem Beginn einer neuen Offensive am 25.&nbsp;Juli, der Operation Spring, konnte die Infanterie der 2.&nbsp;kanadischen Division am Morgen in Verrières eindringen und nach der Abwehr von drei Gegenangriffen im Laufe des Tages das Dorf endgültig befreien.Allerdings gelang es den Kanadiern nicht, den Deutschen den Kamm abzuringen.&nbsp;Bei den Kämpfen verlor das kanadische Black-Watch-Bataillon von ursprünglich 325 eingesetzten Kämpfern 315. Damit war der 25.&nbsp;Juli der Tag mit den meisten kanadischen Gefallenen seit dem Überfall von Dieppe 1942.&nbsp;Der Höhenzug von Verrières wurde schließlich im Zuge der Operation Totalise am 7.&nbsp;August 1944 eingenommen.Einen Kilometer nördlich des Dorfes Saint-Martin-de-Fontenay erinnert das kanadische Denkmal auf dem Hügel 67 an die Kämpfe mehrerer kanadischer Regimenter in diesem Gebiet. Von dort aus hat man einen wunderschönen Ausblick auf die Dörfer Saint-Martin-de-Fontenay und May-sur-Orne sowie auf den Verrières-Kamm.Bei dieser Schlacht kam Gérard Doré ums Leben. Mit sechzehn Jahren war er der jüngste alliierte Kämpfer, der in der Normandie fiel.&nbsp;Doré, Angehöriger des kanadischen Infanterieregiments Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, hatte bei seinem freiwilligen Eintritt seinen Personalausweis gefälscht.&nbsp;Doré wurde am 23.&nbsp;Juli 1944 von einem Maschinengewehr vor dem Verrières-Kamm tödlich getroffen. Het hoofddoel van de geallieerden was de Verrières Ridge, in de buurt van Falaise. Het was een verhoogde positie die uitkeek op de weg van Caen naar Falaise, acht kilometer ten zuiden van Caen.Twee Canadese infanteriedivisies die werden ondersteund door de 2e Canadese Pantserbrigade waren betrokken bij een strijd tegen eenheden van drie Duitse Panzer-divisies. De heuvelrug werd verdedigd door Duitse veteranen die waren teruggedrongen uit Caen (bevrijd in twee fasen op 9 juli en 19 juli) en daar een sterke verdedigende positie hadden gecreëerd. Als onderdeel van Operatie Atlantic, de Canadese component van Operatie Goodwood, stak de 2e Canadese Infanteriedivisie de rivieren de Orne en de Odon over, en vestigde twee bruggenhoofden bij Vaucelles en Louvigny. Op 19 juli, na de bevrijding van Cormelles-le-Royal, Fleury en Louvigny, bleef de divisie echter steken bij de heuvelrug van Verrières, die werd verdedigd door de 9e SS-divisie en de 272e Infanteriedivisie. Vier dagen van strijd waren niet genoeg om de Duitse grenadiers te verslaan. Door de uitbraak van een nieuw offensief op 25 juli, Operatie Spring, kon de infanterie van de 2e Canadese divisie 's ochtends Verrières binnenvallen. Nadat er in de loop van de dag drie tegenaanvallen afgeslagen werden, kon het dorp definitief bevrijd worden.De Canadezen waren echter niet in staat om de heuvelrug uit Duitse handen te bevrijden. In de strijd verloor het Canadese bataljon de Black Watch 315 van de 325 strijders waarmee ze begonnen waren. 25 juli was hierdoor de dag met de meeste dodelijke slachtoffers voor de Canadezen sinds de Slag om Dieppe in 1942. De heuvelrug van Verrières werd uiteindelijk ingenomen tijdens Operatie Totalise op 7 augustus 1944.Op Hill 67, één kilometer ten noorden van het dorp Saint-Martin-de-Fontenay, staat het Canadese monument ter herdenking aan de strijd van verschillende Canadese regimenten in dit gebied. Vanaf dit punt kunnen bezoekers het panoramische uitzicht op de dorpen van Saint-Martin-de-Fontenay en May-sur-Orne evenals de Verrières Ridge bewonderen.Tijdens dit gevecht werd Gérard Doré gedood. Op zestienjarige leeftijd was hij de jongste geallieerde strijder die in Normandië overleed. Doré, lid van het Canadese infanterieregiment van Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal, had zijn identiteitskaart vervalst ten tijde van zijn vrijwillige deelname. Doré werd op 23 juli 1944 dodelijk getroffen door een machinegeweerschot aan de voorzijde van Verrières Ridge.

 Cote 67 et la crête de Verrières  Hügel 67 und der Verrières-Kamm  Hill 67 en de Verrières Ridge 

​​​On the morning of 6 June&nbsp;1944, the British 3rd Infantry Division landed in front of Hermanville-sur-Mer and Colleville-sur-Orne at 07:25. Within thirty mimuntes of that landing they were followed by No. 41 RM Commando who touched down at the western end of Hermanville.​Their objective was to capture Lion-sur-mer before linking with No. 48 RM Commando, 4th Special Service Brigade, who had landed on Juno Beach. Upon landing, No. 41 RM Commando began to regroup and headed for a German fortified position code named ‘Trout’ by the Allies. This was Wiederstandnest, WN21, consisting of two 50mm anti-tank guns, mortars and machine guns.​At the head of operations was Lieutenant-Colonel Gray who launched several assaults, but each one was unsuccessful. Without their radio equipment, all lost during the landing, the commandos could not communicate effectively to get fire support from the ships positioned offshore.​The German forces counter attacked in the afternoon and held out stopping No.41 RM Commando. WN21 was finally taken the next day, with the support of navy destroyers. It was with the help of the 1st South Lancashire Regiment, 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment and 2nd Royal Ulster Rifles, that the Commandos succeeded in liberating Lion-sur-mer and the castle of Haut-Lion on 7 June. Some small pockets of German resistance at Rue du Maréchal Foch and Rue de la Hève held untill 9 June.The British commandos paid a heavy price in liberating Lion-sur-Mer. In addition to the three officers killed or wounded on the beach, a Luftwaffe attack from German bombers caused the death of three new commandos and wounded nine others, including Gray himself.One month later, several Lionnais, residents of Lion-sur-Mer, were also among the dead. 15 civilians (including the Mayor) had taken refuge in a rescue station. They were killed in their sleep, affected by a parachute mine dropped from a German bomber on 2 July at dawn.To honour No.41 RM Commando, a plaque was fixed on Maritime Boulevard. A stele in memory of the Allied soldiers and civilian victims of 6 June 1944, and the square of 2 July 1944, recall the tragedies experienced by the inhabitants of Lion-sur-mer.

​The Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineer (AVRE) at Lion-Sur-Mer is a memorial to the crews that landed at Sword Beach.

​AVRE, Lion-sur-Mer

​​The liberation of Lion-sur-mer

​​​On the morning of 6 June&nbsp;1944, the British 3rd Infantry Division landed in front of Hermanville-sur-Mer and Colleville-sur-Orne at 07:25. Within thirty mimuntes of that landing they were followed by No. 41 RM Commando who touched down at the western end of Hermanville.​Their objective was to capture Lion-sur-mer before linking with No. 48 RM Commando, 4th Special Service Brigade, who had landed on Juno Beach. Upon landing, No. 41 RM Commando began to regroup and headed for a German fortified position code named ‘Trout’ by the Allies. This was Wiederstandnest, WN21, consisting of two 50mm anti-tank guns, mortars and machine guns.​At the head of operations was Lieutenant-Colonel Gray who launched several assaults, but each one was unsuccessful. Without their radio equipment, all lost during the landing, the commandos could not communicate effectively to get fire support from the ships positioned offshore.​The German forces counter attacked in the afternoon and held out stopping No.41 RM Commando. WN21 was finally taken the next day, with the support of navy destroyers. It was with the help of the 1st South Lancashire Regiment, 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment and 2nd Royal Ulster Rifles, that the Commandos succeeded in liberating Lion-sur-mer and the castle of Haut-Lion on 7 June. Some small pockets of German resistance at Rue du Maréchal Foch and Rue de la Hève held untill 9 June.The British commandos paid a heavy price in liberating Lion-sur-Mer. In addition to the three officers killed or wounded on the beach, a Luftwaffe attack from German bombers caused the death of three new commandos and wounded nine others, including Gray himself.One month later, several Lionnais, residents of Lion-sur-Mer, were also among the dead. 15 civilians (including the Mayor) had taken refuge in a rescue station. They were killed in their sleep, affected by a parachute mine dropped from a German bomber on 2 July at dawn.To honour No.41 RM Commando, a plaque was fixed on Maritime Boulevard. A stele in memory of the Allied soldiers and civilian victims of 6 June 1944, and the square of 2 July 1944, recall the tragedies experienced by the inhabitants of Lion-sur-mer.

​​​De Gaulle came ashore between Courseulles and Graye-sur-mer, where the destroyer ‘La Combattante’ had anchored offshore and on Mike sector of Juno Beach. He landed after long and difficult steps to gain authority and permission for him to go and visit the Allied bridgehead.De Gaulle was driven from Mike sector directly to the headquarters of General Montgomery in Creully. The French delegation, which was led by François Coulet and Colonel de Chevigné, headed to Bayeux where the General went go on to deliver an important speech.De Gaulle, Chief of France Combattante eventually entered Bayeux, and after being welcomed by the municipal council, he settled in the sub-prefecture. He appointed Coulet First Commissioner of the Republic for the liberated territories and Raymond Triboulet as new sub-prefect of the district of Bayeux. This was in place of the sub-prefect Rochat, who was dismissed immediately.​After greeting crowds in the streets of Bayeux, de Gaulle visited the Place du Château. It was here that he held a speech imposing the authority of the Provisional Government of the French Republic (GPRF). By placing in Bayeux as the first cogs of a new administration, De Gaulle intended to short-circuit the project of the Allies. The Allied plan was to establish a military administration in the liberated French territories, known as the Allied Military Government of Occupied Territories (AMGOT).After leaving Bayeux, De Gaulle visited the small village of Isigny-sur-Mer. Located at a strategic point between the beaches of Utah and Omaha, up to 80% of the village had been destroyed by the devastating firepower of the American Navy. He then continued on to Grandcamps-les-Bains, west of the Pointe du Hoc. This was also liberated along with Isigny on 8 June. After this, De Gaulle returned to Courseulles, to board the Combattante and return to the port of Portsmouth, England.Today a Cross of Lorraine, installed in 1990, stands at the limit of the two communes of Courseulles and Graye-sur-mer, on the sandunes. It is 18 metres high and symbolises the return of General de Gaulle to French soil on 14 June 1944. This date was also four years almost to the day after his exile to London, where he launched his appeal to the Resistance on 18 June 1940.

​​General de Gaulle’s return to Normandy

​​​De Gaulle came ashore between Courseulles and Graye-sur-mer, where the destroyer ‘La Combattante’ had anchored offshore and on Mike sector of Juno Beach. He landed after long and difficult steps to gain authority and permission for him to go and visit the Allied bridgehead.De Gaulle was driven from Mike sector directly to the headquarters of General Montgomery in Creully. The French delegation, which was led by François Coulet and Colonel de Chevigné, headed to Bayeux where the General went go on to deliver an important speech.De Gaulle, Chief of France Combattante eventually entered Bayeux, and after being welcomed by the municipal council, he settled in the sub-prefecture. He appointed Coulet First Commissioner of the Republic for the liberated territories and Raymond Triboulet as new sub-prefect of the district of Bayeux. This was in place of the sub-prefect Rochat, who was dismissed immediately.​After greeting crowds in the streets of Bayeux, de Gaulle visited the Place du Château. It was here that he held a speech imposing the authority of the Provisional Government of the French Republic (GPRF). By placing in Bayeux as the first cogs of a new administration, De Gaulle intended to short-circuit the project of the Allies. The Allied plan was to establish a military administration in the liberated French territories, known as the Allied Military Government of Occupied Territories (AMGOT).After leaving Bayeux, De Gaulle visited the small village of Isigny-sur-Mer. Located at a strategic point between the beaches of Utah and Omaha, up to 80% of the village had been destroyed by the devastating firepower of the American Navy. He then continued on to Grandcamps-les-Bains, west of the Pointe du Hoc. This was also liberated along with Isigny on 8 June. After this, De Gaulle returned to Courseulles, to board the Combattante and return to the port of Portsmouth, England.Today a Cross of Lorraine, installed in 1990, stands at the limit of the two communes of Courseulles and Graye-sur-mer, on the sandunes. It is 18 metres high and symbolises the return of General de Gaulle to French soil on 14 June 1944. This date was also four years almost to the day after his exile to London, where he launched his appeal to the Resistance on 18 June 1940.

​​​Like Caen, Colombelles had to be captured on the evening of 6 June 1944 by the British 3rd Infantry Division. This however was not the case, and it remained under German control.​Colombelles was situated to the south of the positions of the British 6th Airborne Division’s perimeter to the eastern side of the river Orne. It is in this town east of Caen, that a steel factory, the SMN (Société Métallurgique de Normandie) was situated. It had high chimneys that served as an observatory for the German forces from D-Day onwards.​In the following weeks and on a static front, Colombelles was subjected to regular bombardment and the village was gradually evacuated by the German forces. After several weeks of air attacks and heavy artillery fire, the factory was nothing more than a vast field of ruin. As a prelude to Operation Goodwood, which was to widen the narrow bridgehead to the south of Caen and project the Anglo-Canadians towards Falaise, the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division launched Operation Atlantic. The objective of this was to liberate the southern half of Caen.​An intense bombardment fell on the German positions, on the SMN plateau and on Colombelles at 06:00 on 17 July. 5,000 tonnes of bombs were dropped by a thousand bombers made up of RAF Lancaster and Halifax aircraft. This would be the front line between Colombelles-Mondeville-Giberville. This was the starting point of the corridor through which the British armoured Divisions (tanks) would push through.​One hour later, the units of the Canadian Infantry units attacked Colombelles: the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada on the left flank, the Regiment de la Chaudière along the Orne, the North Shore Regiment in the centre.​The German 16th Luftwaffe Feld-Division offered strong resistance for the control of the factory of the SMN and its blast furnaces. At the Château de Colombelles, the enemy repelled the assaults of the Régiment de la Chaudière. A large number of Allied bombs fell on the castle to force the enemy from their positions.​At 17:00, Colombelles was in the hands of the Canadian forces while the fighting of the North Shore Regiment continued on the perimeter of the factory. On 19 July, Colombelles was completely liberated from German occupation, 80% of the area and buildings had been destroyed.​The inhabitants who, since 6 June 1944 had taken refuge and hidden in the underground quarries of Mondeville and Colombelles could finally leave after the end of the bombardments and fighting.

​​The Liberation of Colombelles

​​​Like Caen, Colombelles had to be captured on the evening of 6 June 1944 by the British 3rd Infantry Division. This however was not the case, and it remained under German control.​Colombelles was situated to the south of the positions of the British 6th Airborne Division’s perimeter to the eastern side of the river Orne. It is in this town east of Caen, that a steel factory, the SMN (Société Métallurgique de Normandie) was situated. It had high chimneys that served as an observatory for the German forces from D-Day onwards.​In the following weeks and on a static front, Colombelles was subjected to regular bombardment and the village was gradually evacuated by the German forces. After several weeks of air attacks and heavy artillery fire, the factory was nothing more than a vast field of ruin. As a prelude to Operation Goodwood, which was to widen the narrow bridgehead to the south of Caen and project the Anglo-Canadians towards Falaise, the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division launched Operation Atlantic. The objective of this was to liberate the southern half of Caen.​An intense bombardment fell on the German positions, on the SMN plateau and on Colombelles at 06:00 on 17 July. 5,000 tonnes of bombs were dropped by a thousand bombers made up of RAF Lancaster and Halifax aircraft. This would be the front line between Colombelles-Mondeville-Giberville. This was the starting point of the corridor through which the British armoured Divisions (tanks) would push through.​One hour later, the units of the Canadian Infantry units attacked Colombelles: the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada on the left flank, the Regiment de la Chaudière along the Orne, the North Shore Regiment in the centre.​The German 16th Luftwaffe Feld-Division offered strong resistance for the control of the factory of the SMN and its blast furnaces. At the Château de Colombelles, the enemy repelled the assaults of the Régiment de la Chaudière. A large number of Allied bombs fell on the castle to force the enemy from their positions.​At 17:00, Colombelles was in the hands of the Canadian forces while the fighting of the North Shore Regiment continued on the perimeter of the factory. On 19 July, Colombelles was completely liberated from German occupation, 80% of the area and buildings had been destroyed.​The inhabitants who, since 6 June 1944 had taken refuge and hidden in the underground quarries of Mondeville and Colombelles could finally leave after the end of the bombardments and fighting.

​​​​80,000 men were allocated to this Operation. This included 60,000 from O'Connor’s 8th Corps and 20,000 from Bucknall’s 30th Corps and the 1st Canadian Corps. Nearly 600 tanks and 700 guns were mobilised. It was the first major operation of General Montgomery after the 6 June landings.​The operation of the British Second Army was planned on 22 June 1944 but launched on 26 June because the buildup was hampered by the ‘Great Storm’ that raged in the English Channel. This caused significant damage to the artificial harbour at Arromanches-les-Bains. The plan was to cross the Odon and Orne River valleys to the southwest of Caen.​It was the men of the 15th Scottish Infantry Division who launched themselves into action first, behind an artillery barrage known as a creeping or rolling barrage.The villages of Saint-Manvieu, Norrey, Fontenay-le-Pesnel and Cheux were totally in ruins but were liberated on the morning of 26 June. The next day, 27 June, the fighting continued in the Odon valley. Tourville, Mondrainville and Rauray were liberated.The bocage (Normandy hedgerows) was found to be a good ally to the German defenders. Thousands of British soldiers fell under the fire of mortars and rocket launchers, for the capture of a narrow corridor of 8km by 3km beyond the Odon. This became known as the ‘Scottish corridor’. 2,500 men of the 15th Scottish Infantry Division were lost during operation Epsom.​To break the British salient at Hill 112 held by the 11th Armoured Division, the German 2nd SS Panzer Corps had recently arrived from Poland. They conducted counter attacks on both banks of the Odon from 29 June.​On the evening of 29 June, the German divisions were repulsed by the combined actions of the Royal Air Force, the British Navy and the 15th Scottish Infantry Division. Hill 112, a strategic highpoint, was not captured by the 11th Armoured Division with only a small salient over the river Odon being captured. The village of Mouen was liberated in the morning.​The next day, 30 June, Montgomery ended Operation Epsom, fearing a larger German counterattack. The second British attempt to capture and liberate Caen had failed. The human toll was very heavy with 4,000 men of the 8th Corps either killed, wounded or missing in a span of 5 days.

​​Operation Epsom: Battle of the Odon

​​​​80,000 men were allocated to this Operation. This included 60,000 from O'Connor’s 8th Corps and 20,000 from Bucknall’s 30th Corps and the 1st Canadian Corps. Nearly 600 tanks and 700 guns were mobilised. It was the first major operation of General Montgomery after the 6 June landings.​The operation of the British Second Army was planned on 22 June 1944 but launched on 26 June because the buildup was hampered by the ‘Great Storm’ that raged in the English Channel. This caused significant damage to the artificial harbour at Arromanches-les-Bains. The plan was to cross the Odon and Orne River valleys to the southwest of Caen.​It was the men of the 15th Scottish Infantry Division who launched themselves into action first, behind an artillery barrage known as a creeping or rolling barrage.The villages of Saint-Manvieu, Norrey, Fontenay-le-Pesnel and Cheux were totally in ruins but were liberated on the morning of 26 June. The next day, 27 June, the fighting continued in the Odon valley. Tourville, Mondrainville and Rauray were liberated.The bocage (Normandy hedgerows) was found to be a good ally to the German defenders. Thousands of British soldiers fell under the fire of mortars and rocket launchers, for the capture of a narrow corridor of 8km by 3km beyond the Odon. This became known as the ‘Scottish corridor’. 2,500 men of the 15th Scottish Infantry Division were lost during operation Epsom.​To break the British salient at Hill 112 held by the 11th Armoured Division, the German 2nd SS Panzer Corps had recently arrived from Poland. They conducted counter attacks on both banks of the Odon from 29 June.​On the evening of 29 June, the German divisions were repulsed by the combined actions of the Royal Air Force, the British Navy and the 15th Scottish Infantry Division. Hill 112, a strategic highpoint, was not captured by the 11th Armoured Division with only a small salient over the river Odon being captured. The village of Mouen was liberated in the morning.​The next day, 30 June, Montgomery ended Operation Epsom, fearing a larger German counterattack. The second British attempt to capture and liberate Caen had failed. The human toll was very heavy with 4,000 men of the 8th Corps either killed, wounded or missing in a span of 5 days.

Formed in 1939, the 51st Highland Infantry Division was part of the territorial force; a great number of its men were taken prisoner in May 1940. After it was brought up to strength, the Division was engaged in the campaigns of North Africa in June 1942 and Sicily in July 1943. Highly experienced, the men were repatriated to Britain from November 1943 to prepare for Operation Overlord. On 6 June 1944, the 51st Highland Division landed on Juno Beach. The men first came into contact with the enemy at the German radar station in Douvres-la-Délivrande. From 9 June they fought in the woods of Bavent to the east of the Orne River, where the Division had come to reinforce the bridgehead of the 6th British Airborne, led by General Bullen-Smith. The Scottish Division was exhausted by a long battle against the firmly entrenched Germans. Therefore, it only had a supporting role in Operation Goodwood (18 - 21 July 1944), launched for the liberation of Caen. After a period of rest, the division was attached to the 2nd Canadian Corps. Now being under the command of General Rennie, they led an assault between 7 and 11 August to capture the town of Falaise during Operation Totalize. The division progressed with difficulty to Garcelles and Saint-Aignan-de-Crasmenil and veered eastwards to eventually reach Lisieux, which was liberated on 23 August 1944. After crossing the Seine, the Scots were given the symbolic mission to liberate the town of Saint-Valéry-en-Caux to avenge the humiliation of 1940. They fought their last battle in Normandy during the battle of Le Havre from 10 to 12 September 1944, before continuing towards the Netherlands and the Ardennes.

On 6 June 1944 the 51st Highland Division landed in Normandy on Gold Beach. The men were at the front line in the city of Douvres-la-Délivrande in Normandy and later on the east of the Orne River in a sector held by the 6th British Airborne. The Division took part in the operations Goodwood and Totalize. They also fought for the liberation of Le Havre.

Formed in 1939, the 51st Highland Infantry Division was part of the territorial force; a great number of its men were taken prisoner in May 1940. After it was brought up to strength, the Division was engaged in the campaigns of North Africa in June 1942 and Sicily in July 1943. Highly experienced, the men were repatriated to Britain from November 1943 to prepare for Operation Overlord.

On 6 June 1944, the 51st Highland Division landed on Gold Beach. The men first came into contact with the enemy at the German radar station in Douvres-la-Délivrande. From 9 June they fought in the woods of Bavent to the east of the Orne River, where the Division had come to reinforce the bridgehead of the 6th British Airborne, led by General Bullen-Smith. The Scottish Division was exhausted by a long battle against the firmly entrenched Germans. Therefore, it only had a supporting role in Operation Goodwood (18 - 21 July 1944), launched for the liberation of Caen. After a period of rest, the division was attached to the 2nd Canadian Corps. Now being under the command of General Rennie, they led an assault between 7 and 11 August to capture the town of Falaise during Operation Totalize. The division progressed with difficulty to Garcelles and Saint-Aignan-de-Crasmenil and veered eastwards to eventually reach Lisieux, which was liberated on 23 August 1944. After crossing the Seine, the Scots were given the symbolic mission to liberate the town of Saint-Valéry-en-Caux to avenge the humiliation of 1940. They fought their last battle in Normandy during the battle of Le Havre from 10 to 12 September 1944, before continuing towards the Netherlands and the Ardennes.

The 51st Highland Division in Normandy

Créée en 1939, la 51e division d'infanterie des Highlands est issue des Forces territoriales britanniques ; un grand nombre de ses hommes ont été faits prisonniers en mai 1940. Une fois ses effectifs renfloués, la division participe aux campagnes d'Afrique du Nord en juin 1942 et en Sicile en juillet 1943. Très expérimentés, ses hommes sont rapatriés vers la Grande-Bretagne dès novembre 1943 pour préparer l'Opération Overlord. Le 6 juin 1944, la 51e division des Highlands débarque à Juno Beach. Le premier contact avec l'ennemi a lieu à la station radar allemande de Douvres-la-Délivrande. À partir du 9 juin, ses soldats combattent dans le bois de Bavent, à l'est de l'Orne, à l'endroit même où la division avait renforcé la tête de pont de la 6e division aéroportée britannique dirigée par le général Bullen-Smith. La division écossaise est alors épuisée par de longs combats contre des allemands fermement retranchés. Elle ne jouera donc qu'un rôle d'appui lors de l'Opération Goodwood (18 – 21 juillet 1944), lancée pour libérer la ville de Caen. Après une période de repos, la division est rattachée au 2e corps canadien. Désormais sous le commandement du général Rennie, elle dirige du 7 au 11 août une offensive pour reprendre la ville de Falaise (Opération Totalize). La division progresse difficilement vers Garcelles et Saint-Aignan-de-Crasmenil et fait un crochet vers l'Est pour atteindre Lisieux, qui sera libérée le 23 août 1944. Après avoir franchi la Seine, les Écossais se voient confier la mission symbolique de libérer la ville de Saint-Valéry-en-Caux afin de venger l'humiliation subie en 1940. Ils livreront leur dernier combat en Normandie lors de la bataille du Havre (du 10 au 12 septembre 1944), avant de poursuivre leur avancée vers les Pays-Bas et les Ardennes. Utworzona w 1939r., 51 Dywizja Highland wchodziła w skład sił lądowych. Duża jej część trafiła do niewoli w maju 1940 r. Po uzupełnieniu składu, dywizja brała udział w kampaniach w Afryce Północnej w czerwcu 1942 r. i na Sycylii w lipcu 1943r. Od listopada 1943 r. te dysponujące bogatym doświadczeniem oddziały repatriowano do Wielkiej Brytanii w przygotowaniu do operacji Overlord. 6 czerwca 1944 r. 51 Dywizja Highland wylądowała na Plaży „Juno”. Pierwszy kontakt z wrogiem nawiązała przy niemieckiej stacji radarowej w Douvres-la-Délivrande. Od 9 czerwca walczyła w lasach Bavent na wschód od Orne, gdzie wzmocniła przyczółek uchwycony przez 6 Brytyjską Dywizję Powietrznodesantową pod generałem Bullen-Smith. Dywizję szkocką wyczerpała długa wojna pozycyjna z dobrze okopanymi Niemcami. 51 Dywizja służyła wsparciem w Operacji Goodwood (18-21 lipca), podjętej dla wyzwolenia Caen. Po okresie odpoczynku, dywizję dołączono do Drugiego Korpusu Kanadyjskiego, z którym, pod łącznym dowództwem generała Rennie, w dniach 7 do 11 sierpnia 1944r. przeprowadziła natarcie w Operacji Totalize dla zdobycia Falaise. Dywizja posuwała się do przodu z trudnością aż do Garcelles i Saint-Aignan-de-Crasmenil, po czym odbiwszy na wschód dotarła do Lisieux oswobodzonego w dniu 23 sierpnia. Po przekroczeniu Sekwany, Szkoci dostali symboliczną misję wyzwolenia Saint-Valéry-en-Caux, by pomścić upokorzenie z 1940r. Ostatnią bitwę w Normandii stoczyli pod Le Havre w dniach od 10 do 12 września 1944 r., po czym wyruszyli dalej w na Holandię i Ardeny. De 51e Highland Divisie nam ook deel aan operaties Goodwood en Totalize. Ook vocht deze eenheid tijdens de bevrijding van Le Havre. De 51e Highland Infanterie Divisie werd samengesteld in 1939 en maakte deel uit van ‘the territorial force’. Een groot aantal van de divisies’ mannen waren gevangen genomen in mei 1940. Nadat de divisie weer qua kracht hersteld was, nam deze deel aan campagnes in Noord-Afrika (juni 1942) en Sicilië (juli 1943). De ervaren troepen werden teruggehaald naar Engeland om zich vanaf november 1943 voor te bereiden op Operatie Overlord. Op 6 juni 1944 landde de 51e Highland Divisie op Juno Beach. De mannen kwamen voor het eerst in gevecht met de Duisters in een radarstation in Douvres-la-Délivrande. Vanaf 9 juni vochten ze in de bossen van Bavent tot aan het oosten van de rivier de Orne waar de divisie heen was gegaan om het bruggenhoofd van de 6e Britse Luchtlandingsdivisie te versterken. De 51e Hihgland Divisie werd geleid door Generaal Bullen-Smith. De Schotse divisie was vermoeid na een lange strijd met de in loopgraven bivakkerende Duisters. Daardoor had de divisie alleen maar een ondersteunende rol bij Operatie Goodwood (18-21 juli 1944), waarvan het doel was om Caen te bevrijden. Na een periode van rust, werd de divisie samen gevoegd met het 2e Canadese Korps. Nu viel de eenheid onder het bevel van Generaal Rennie. Tijdens Operatie Totalize leidde ze tussen 7 en 11 augustus een aanval om de stad Falaise in te nemen. Met moeite vorderde de divisie naar Garcelles en Saint-Aignan-de-Crasmenil. Daarna ging het oostwaards om uiteindelijk Lisieux te bereiken. Deze stad werd bevrijd op 23 augustus 1944. Nadat ze de Seine waren overgestoken, werd de Schotten de symbolische missie gegeven om het stadje Saint-Valéry-en-Caux te bevrijden om zo wraak te nemen voor de vernedering van 1940. Ze vochten voor het laatst in Normandië tijdens de slag om Le Havre (10-12 september 1944). Daarna trokken ze verder naar de Ardennen en Nederland. Die 51. Highland Infanteriedivision beteiligte sich ab 1939 im Rahmen der britischen Territorialarmee an den Kampfhandlungen, wobei ein Großteil ihrer Soldaten im Mai 1940 in Gefangenschaft geriet. Nachdem die Division wieder Gefechtsstärke erreicht hatte, nahm sie an den Militäroperationen in Nordafrika (im Juni 1942) und in Sizilien (im Juli 1943) teil. Ab November 1943 wurden die sehr erfahrenen Männer nach Großbritannien zurückgeschickt, zur Vorbereitung auf die Operation Overlord. Am 6. Juni 1944 landete die 51. Highland Division am Juno Beach. Erste Feindberührungen erfolgten an der deutschen Radarstation in Douvres-la-Délivrande. Ab dem 9. Juni kämpfte die Division im Wald von Bavent östlich der Orne, wohin man sie zur Verstärkung des Brückenkopfes der 6. britischen Luftlandedivision unter General Bullen-Smith entsandt hatte. Da die Männer nach anhaltenden Kämpfen gegen die schwer verschanzten Deutschen erschöpft waren, spielten sie bei der Operation Goodwood (18. bis 21. Juli 1944) zur Befreiung von Caen nur eine unterstützende Rolle. Nach einer Ruhepause wurde die Division dem II. Kanadischen Korps angegliedert. Fortan unter dem Kommando von General Rennie, führten die Männer im Rahmen der Operation Totalize zwischen dem 7. und dem 11. August einen Angriff zur Einnahme der Stadt Falaise durch. Unter Schwierigkeiten rückte die Division auf Garcelles und Saint-Aignan-de-Crasmenil vor und scherte dann nach Osten aus, um schließlich die Stadt Lisieux zu erreichen, die am 23. August 1944 befreit wurde. Nach Überquerung der Seine erhielten die Schotten den symbolischen Auftrag, die Stadt Saint-Valéry-en-Caux zu befreien, als Vergeltung für die Demütigung von 1940. Ihre letzten Kampfhandlungen in der Normandie führten sie vom 10. bis 12. September 1944 bei der Schlacht um Le Havre aus, bevor sie in die Niederlande und die Ardennen vorrückten. Formed in 1939, the 51st Highland Infantry Division was part of the territorial force; a great number of its men were taken prisoner in May 1940. After it was brought up to strength, the Division was engaged in the campaigns of North Africa in June 1942 and Sicily in July 1943. Highly experienced, the men were repatriated to Britain from November 1943 to prepare for Operation Overlord. On 6 June 1944, the 51st Highland Division landed on Juno Beach. The men first came into contact with the enemy at the German radar station in Douvres-la-Délivrande. From 9 June they fought in the woods of Bavent to the east of the Orne River, where the Division had come to reinforce the bridgehead of the 6th British Airborne, led by General Bullen-Smith. The Scottish Division was exhausted by a long battle against the firmly entrenched Germans. Therefore, it only had a supporting role in Operation Goodwood (18 - 21 July 1944), launched for the liberation of Caen. After a period of rest, the division was attached to the 2nd Canadian Corps. Now being under the command of General Rennie, they led an assault between 7 and 11 August to capture the town of Falaise during Operation Totalize. The division progressed with difficulty to Garcelles and Saint-Aignan-de-Crasmenil and veered eastwards to eventually reach Lisieux, which was liberated on 23 August 1944. After crossing the Seine, the Scots were given the symbolic mission to liberate the town of Saint-Valéry-en-Caux to avenge the humiliation of 1940. They fought their last battle in Normandy during the battle of Le Havre from 10 to 12 September 1944, before continuing towards the Netherlands and the Ardennes.

 La 51e division des Highlands en Normandie 51 Dywizja Highland w Normandii De 51e Highland Division in Normandië Die 51. (Highland) Division in der Normandie The 51st Highland Division in Normandy

On the night of June 5-6, between 00:50 and 01:30, British paratroopers were dropped in the area of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont/Hiesville. The Allied strategists located the Drop Zone C, the drop zone of the 1st and 2nd battalions of the 506 th Parachute Regiment as well as the 3rd battalion of the 501st Regiment, in a rectangular space of 1km by 500m, between Sainte-Marie-du-Mont and Hiesville. In fact, because of the dispersal of the planes, only 15 sticks landed on the DZ and 38 outside its limits, but nearby anyway. Between 950 and 1000 paratroopers jumped in a triangular zone delimited by Hiesville, Sainte-Marie-du-Mont and Vierville. A few dozen paratroopers of the 1/506th Regiment landed east and northeast of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, as well as in the very village where they immediately engaged the fight with the Germans. Once Hiesville was released, general Taylor, chief of the 101st Airborne Division, installed his HQ there. He leaves 150 men to hold the village until the arrival of reinforcement troops brought by gliders and landed on the beaches, from dawn. Taylor also sent a detachment to Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, where the fighting was raging, and to Vierville, himself taking place in a detachment of a hundred men to the coast to establish contact with the troops landed on Utah Beach. On his way the conquest of Pouppeville held him close to 6 hours.In Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, the fighting begins as soon as the first paratroopers landed, in the heart of the village, in the middle of the night. Very few Germans were present in the village, but they defended themselves like lions. The village square, the church (whose bell tower represented an excellent observation post), and the adjacent buildings will change hands several times and will be the scene of terrible fighting. After these clashes, the paratroopers hold the village at the first light of dawn. But the German counter-attack was not long overdue. In the late morning, a German column retreating from the coast tried to enter the village before being pushed back. An hour later, a dozen shells landed on Sainte-Marie-du Mont. The church was damaged and the clock of the bell tower stopped, marking 13h30. Shortly after, an endless column of trucks, jeeps and tanks, followed by infantry arrived from Utah Beach. The junction between paratroopers and infantrymen was established in Pouppeville around 13h00. Sainte-Marie-du-Mont was then definitively liberated.

On the morning of the 6th June 1944, inhabitants of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont joined soldiers of the 101st Airborne at the main place of the village near the church and the city hall.  

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Soldiers of the 4th Infantry division coming from the beach of La Madeleine, Utah Beach, June, 6, 1944 

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The liberation of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont

Dans la nuit du 5 au 6 juin, entre 00h50 et 1h30, les parachutistes britanniques furent largués dans le secteur de Sainte-Marie-du-Mont/Hiesville. Les stratèges alliés localisèrent la zone de largage des 1er et 2ème bataillons du 506ème régiment d'infanterie parachutiste, ainsi que le 3ème bataillon du 501ème régiment, dans une zone rectangulaire de 1 000 par 500 m, entre Sainte-Marie-du-Mont et Hiesville. En raison de la dispersion des avions, seulement 15 équipes de parachutistes réussirent à atterrir dans la zone de largage et 38 à l’extérieur de ses frontières, mais à proximité néanmoins. Entre 950 et 1 000 parachutistes sautèrent dans une zone triangulaire délimitée par Hiesville, Sainte-Marie-du-Mont et Vierville. Quelques dizaines de parachutistes du 506ème régiment d'infanterie parachutiste débarquèrent à l’est et au nord-est de Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, ainsi que dans le village lui-même, où ils engagèrent immédiatement les Allemands. Une fois Hiesville libéré, le général Taylor, chef de la 101ème division aéroportée, y établit son quartier général. Il laissa 150 hommes pour tenir le village jusqu'à l'arrivée des renforts amenés par des planeurs débarquant sur les plages à l'aube. Taylor envoya également un détachement à Sainte-Marie-du-Mont et Vierville, tout en rejoignant lui-même un détachement d'une centaine d'hommes pour se rendre à Utah Beach et établir le contact avec les troupes qui y débarquaient. Sur son chemin, il fut engagé dans la libération de Pouppeville pendant près de six heures.À Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, les combats ont commencé dès que les premiers parachutistes ont débarqué au cœur du village, au beau milieu de la nuit. Même si très peu d'allemands étaient présents dans le village, ils ont combattu comme des lions. La place du village, l’église (avec le clocher qui servait d’excellent poste d’observation), et les bâtiments adjacents changèrent de mains à plusieurs reprises et étaient le théâtre de terribles combats. Après ces affrontements, les parachutistes ont tenu le village jusqu’aux premières lueurs de l'aube. Cependant, les Allemands ne tardèrent pas à contre-attaquer. En fin de matinée, une colonne allemande se retirant de la côte essaya d’entrer dans le village avant d’être repoussée. Une heure plus tard, une dizaine d'obus tomba sur Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. La jonction entre parachutistes et fantassins fut établie à Pouppeville vers 13h00. L’église fut endommagée, et l’horloge du clocher s’arrêta à 13h30. Peu après, une interminable colonne de camions, de jeeps et de chars suivis d'infanterie arriva d'Utah Beach. Sainte-Marie-du-Mont fut alors définitivement libérée. In der Nacht vom 5. auf den 6. Juni, zwischen 00:50 und 01:30 Uhr, wurden britische Fallschirmjäger in der Gegend von Sainte-Marie-du-Mont/Hiesville abgesetzt. Die Strategen der Alliierten legten die Abwurfzone des 1. und 2. Bataillons des 506th Parachute Infantry Regiments sowie des 3. Bataillons des 501st Regiments in einem rechteckigen Raum von 1000 mal 500 m zwischen Sainte-Marie-du-Mont und Hiesville fest. Aufgrund der Zerstreuung der Flugzeuge konnten nur 15 Fallschirmjägergruppen in der Abwurfzone landen und 38 außerhalb, aber dennoch in der Nähe. Zwischen 950 und 1000 Fallschirmjäger sprangen in einer dreieckigen Zone ab, die von Hiesville, Sainte-Marie-du-Mont und Vierville begrenzt wurde. Einige Dutzend Fallschirmjäger des 506th Regiments landeten östlich und nordöstlich von Sainte-Marie-du-Mont sowie im Dorf selbst, wo sie sofort die Deutschen bekämpften. Nach der Befreiung von Hiesville richtete General Taylor, Chef der 101st Airborne Division, dort sein Hauptquartier ein. Er ließ 150 Mann zurück, um das Dorf bis zum Eintreffen von Verstärkungstruppen zu halten, die im Morgengrauen mit Gleitflugzeugen an den Stränden landen sollten. Taylor schickte eine weitere Abteilung nach Sainte-Marie-du-Mont und Vierville und ging selbst mit einer Abteilung von hundert Mann nach Utah Beach, um Kontakt mit den dort gelandeten Truppen aufzunehmen. Auf dem Weg dorthin war er fast sechs Stunden lang an der Befreiung von Pouppeville beteiligt.In Sainte-Marie-du-Mont begannen die Kämpfe mitten in der Nacht, als die ersten Fallschirmjäger im Herzen des Dorfes landeten. Es waren zwar nur sehr wenige Deutsche im Dorf, aber sie kämpften hart. Der Dorfplatz, die Kirche (deren Glockenturm ein hervorragender Beobachtungsposten war) und die angrenzenden Gebäude wechselten mehrmals den Besitzer und wurden Zeugen grausamer Kämpfe. Nach diesen Gefechten hielten die Fallschirmjäger im Morgengrauen das Dorf. Der deutsche Gegenangriff ließ jedoch nicht lange auf sich warten. Am späten Vormittag versuchte eine deutsche Kolonne, die sich von der Küste zurückzog, in das Dorf einzudringen, bevor sie zurückgedrängt wurde. Eine Stunde später schlug ein Dutzend Granaten in Sainte-Marie-du Mont ein. Die Verbindung zwischen Fallschirmjägern und Infanteristen erfolgt gegen 13:00 Uhr in Pouppeville. Die Kirche wurde beschädigt, die Uhr am Glockenturm blieb um 13.30 Uhr stehen. Kurz darauf kam eine endlose Kolonne von Lastwagen, Jeeps und Panzern, gefolgt von Infanterie, von Utah Beach. Sainte-Marie-du-Mont war damit endgültig befreit. In de nacht van 5 op 6 juni landden Britse parachutisten tussen 00:50 en 01:30 in het gebied van Sainte-Marie-du-Mont/Hiesville.&nbsp;De Geallieerde strategen situeerden de landingszone van het 1e en 2e Bataljon van het 506e Parachute-infanterieregiment, evenals van het 3e Bataljon van het 501e Regiment, in een rechthoekige ruimte van 1000 bij 500 meter, tussen Sainte-Marie-du-Mont en Hiesville.&nbsp;&nbsp;Door de verspreiding van de vliegtuigen landden slechts 15 parachutistenteams in de landingszone en 38 daarbuiten, maar wel in de buurt ervan. Tussen 950 en 1000 parachutisten landden in een driehoekige zone tussen Hiesville, Sainte-Marie-du-Mont en Vierville. Enkele tientallen parachutisten van het 506e Regiment landden ten oosten en noordoosten van Sainte-Marie-du-Mont, evenals in het dorp zelf, waar ze meteen geconfronteerd werden met de Duitsers.&nbsp; Toen Hiesville eenmaal was bevrijd, vestigde generaal Taylor, hoofd van de 101e Luchtlandingsdivisie, zijn hoofdkwartier daar. Hij liet 150 mannen achter om het dorp te verdedigen tot de komst van versterkingstroepen, die bij dageraad met zweefvliegtuigen op de stranden landden. Taylor stuurde ook een eenheid naar Sainte-Marie-du-Mont en Vierville, terwijl hij zich zelf bij een eenheid van honderd mannen voegde om naar Utah Beach te gaan en contact te maken met de troepen die daar waren geland. Onderweg was hij bijna zes uur lang betrokken bij de bevrijding van Pouppeville.&nbsp;In Sainte-Marie-du-Mont begon de strijd meteen nadat de eerste parachutisten midden in de nacht in het centrum van het dorp landden.&nbsp;Er waren maar weinig Duitsers aanwezig in het dorp, maar ze vochten als leeuwen.&nbsp;Het dorpsplein, de kerk (waarvan de klokkentoren dienstdeed als uitstekend uitkijkpunt) en de aangrenzende gebouwen waren steeds in andere handen en waren getuige van vreselijke gevechten. Na deze gevechten was het dorp tegen de ochtend in handen van de parachutisten.&nbsp;Het duurde echter niet lang voordat de Duitsers een tegenaanval uitvoerden.&nbsp;Laat in de ochtend probeerde een vanaf de kust terugtrekkende Duitse colonne het dorp binnen te dringen, maar werd teruggedrongen.&nbsp;Een uur later landden er tientallen granaten op Sainte-Marie-du-Mont. Rond 13:00 maakten parachutisten en infanterie contact in Pouppeville.&nbsp;De kerk was beschadigd, en de klok in de klokkentoren stopte om 13:30. Kort daarna arriveerde er vanaf Utah Beach een eindeloze stoet vrachtwagens, jeeps en tanks, gevolgd door infanterie. Sainte-Marie-du-Mont werd toen definitief bevrijd.

 Libération de Sainte-Marie-du-Mont Die Befreiung von Sainte-Marie-du-Mont De bevrijding van Sainte-Marie-du-Mont

The Cross of Lorraine, designed by the architect Guy Lemerre, evokes the return of General de Gaulle to French soil on 14 June 1944 after four years of exile and fighting. The monument was erected at the boundary between Graye-sur-Mer and Courseulles-sur-Mer. It is eighteen meters tall and weighs six tons.The Cross of Lorraine is a double cross that appeared in the symbolism of the Dukes of Anjou, who became Dukes of Lorraine from 1431. Since Joan of Arc carried it on her banner, this cross has become a symbol of national independence, as well as a sign of rallying in both victory and defeat. The Free French Forces adopted the symbol on 1 July 1940 as a response to the Nazi swastika. It was later generally adopted throughout Free France and appeared on many insignia and monuments.Commissioned by the patriotic association Présence du Gaullisme and built by the Comité du Débarquement, this monument was inaugurated on 16 June 1990 by Admiral Philippe de Gaulle, son of General Charles de Gaulle.On 14 June 1944, between Courseulles-sur-Mer and Graye-sur-Mer, General de Gaulle landed aboard the Free French Naval Forces destroyer named ‘La Combattante’, accompanied by eighteen people. Following a long and difficult process, De Gaulle was authorised to go to the Allied bridgehead in Normandy.He was greeted by the Scottish Major Sanderson, sent by General Montgomery, before being taken to his headquarters established at the Château de Creullet in Creully. The rest of the delegation, led by François Coulet and the Colonel de Chevigné, headed for Bayeux.At 15:30, General de Gaulle arrived at Bayeux. Welcomed by the city council, he settled there in the subprefecture. Here, the portraits of Marshal Pétain as well as François Coulet, appointed first commissioner of the Republic for the liberated territories, and Pierre de Chevigné, military commander of liberated areas, still hung on the wall. He was accompanied by General Koenig, Rear Admiral d'Argenlieu, Gaston Palewski and General Béthouart. De Gaulle then met with Subprefect Rochat to discuss the situation at the bridgehead. De Gaulle then went on foot through the streets of Bayeux before reaching the castle square to give a speech. After leaving Bayeux, he visited Isigny-sur-Mer in ruins and then Grandcamp-les-Bains, before returning to Courseulles and boarding ‘La Combattante’. De Gaulle left for England on the same evening.

On the beach of Graye, General de Gaulle awaits the instructions before going to General Montgomery, 14 June 1944

General de Gaulle

General de Gaulle shortly after setting foot in Normandy on 14 June 1944.

The Cross of Lorraine between Courseulles-sur-Mer and Graye-sur-Mer.

The Cross of Lorraine monument

Croix de Lorraine 

La croix de Lorraine, conçue par l'architecte Guy Lemerre, évoque le retour du général de Gaulle sur le sol français le 14 juin 1944 après quatre ans d'exil et de combats. Le monument surplombe le rivage de Graye-sur-Mer et de Courseulles-sur-Mer. La croix culmine à 18 mètres de hauteur et pèse 6 tonnes.La croix de Lorraine est une double croix qui figurait dans la symbolique des ducs d'Anjou, devenus ducs de Lorraine à partir de 1431. Depuis que Jeanne d'Arc l'a portée sur sa bannière, cette croix est devenue un symbole d'indépendance nationale, ainsi qu'un signe de ralliement dans la victoire comme dans la défaite. Le 1er juillet 1940, la France libre adopta la croix pour emblème en opposition à la croix gammée nazie. Elle fut ensuite généralisée dans toute la France libre. Par la suite, on la retrouve sur de nombreux symboles et monuments.Ce monument fut commandé par l'association patriotique Présence du Gaullisme et construit par le Comité du Débarquement. Il a été inauguré le 16 juin 1990 par l'amiral Philippe de Gaulle, fils du général Charles de Gaulle.Le 14 juin 1944, entre Courseulles-sur-Mer et Graye-sur-Mer, le général de Gaulle, accompagné de dix-huit personnes, débarqua à bord du torpilleur des Forces navales françaises libres nommé « La Combattante ». Après un long et difficile processus, De Gaulle fut autorisé à se rendre à la tête de pont alliée en Normandie.Il est accueilli par le major écossais Sanderson, envoyé par le général Montgomery, avant d'être conduit à son quartier général établi au château de Creullet à Creully. Le reste de la délégation, conduite par François Coulet et le colonel de Chevigné, prend la direction de Bayeux.Le général de Gaulle arrive à Bayeux vers 15h30. Accueilli par le conseil municipal, il s’y installe dans la sous-préfecture. Les portraits du maréchal Pétain, de François Coulet, nommé premier commissaire de la République pour les territoires libérés, et de Pierre de Chevigné, commandant militaire des territoires libérés, trônent toujours au mur. De Gaulle était accompagné du général Koenig, du contre-amiral d'Argenlieu, de Gaston Palewski et du général Béthouart. De Gaulle s’entretient ensuite avec le sous-préfet Rochat pour s’informer de la situation dans la tête de pont. De Gaulle se rend ensuite à pied dans les rues de Bayeux avant d’atteindre la place du château pour faire un discours. De Gaulle quitte ensuite Bayeux pour se rendre à Isigny-sur-Mer en ruine, puis à Grandcamp-les-Bains avant de regagner Courseulles et d’embarquer au bord de « La Combattante ». De Gaulle partit pour l’Angleterre le soir même. Das Lothringerkreuz ist ein Doppelkreuz aus der Symbolik der Fürsten von Anjou, die ab 1431 Herzöge von Lothringen wurden. Seit Jeanne d'Arc es auf ihrem Banner führte, ist dieses Kreuz zu einem Symbol für nationale Unabhängigkeit geworden, aber auch zu einem Zeichen der Verbundenheit in Sieg und Niederlage. Die Freien Französischen Streitkräfte übernahmen das Symbol am 1. Juli 1940 als Gegenstück zum Hakenkreuz der Nazis. Später wurde es im gesamten Freien Frankreich übernommen und erschien auf zahlreichen Emblemen und Denkmälern.Von der patriotischen Vereinigung Présence du Gaullisme in Auftrag gegeben und vom Comité du Débarquement errichtet, wurde das Denkmal am 16. Juni 1990 von Admiral Philippe de Gaulle, dem Sohn von General Charles de Gaulle, eingeweiht.Am 14. Juni 1944 landete General de Gaulle zwischen Courseulles-sur-Mer und Graye-sur-Mer an Bord des Zerstörers „La Combattante“ der Freien Französischen Seestreitkräfte in Begleitung von achtzehn Personen. Nach einem langwierigen und schwierigen Prozess erhielt De Gaulle die Erlaubnis, sich zum Brückenkopf der Alliierten in der Normandie zu begeben.Er wurde vom schottischen Major Sanderson begrüßt, der von General Montgomery entsandt worden war, bevor er in sein Hauptquartier im Château de Creullet in Creully gebracht wurde. Der Rest der Delegation, angeführt von François Coulet und Colonel de Chevigné, begab sich nach Bayeux.Um 15.30 Uhr traf General de Gaulle in Bayeux ein. Er wurde von der Stadtverwaltung willkommen geheißen und quartierte sich in der dortigen Unterpräfektur ein. An der Wand hingen dort noch die Porträts von Marschall Pétain sowie von François Coulet, dem ersten Kommissar der Republik für die befreiten Territorien, und Pierre de Chevigné, dem Militärkommandanten der befreiten Gebiete. Er wurde von General Koenig, Konteradmiral d'Argenlieu, Gaston Palewski und General Béthouart begleitet. De Gaulle traf sich dann mit dem Unterpräfekten Rochat, um die Lage am Brückenkopf zu besprechen. Anschließend ging de Gaulle zu Fuß durch die Straßen von Bayeux und hielt auf dem Schlossplatz eine Rede. Nachdem er Bayeux verlassen hatte, besuchte er noch die Ruinen von Isigny-sur-Mer und Grandcamp-les-Bains, bevor er nach Courseulles zurückkehrte und dort die „La Combattante“ bestieg. Noch am selben Abend fuhr de Gaulle nach England. Het Kruis van Lotharingen, dat is ontworpen door de architect Guy Lemerre, verwijst naar de terugkeer van generaal De Gaulle naar Frans grondgebied op 14 juni 1944 na vier jaar van ballingschap en gevechten. Het monument werd geplaatst bij de grens tussen Graye-sur-Mer en Courseulles-sur-Mer. Het is achttien meter hoog en weegt zes ton.Het Kruis van Lotharingen is een dubbel kruis dat gebruikt werd in het symbolisme van de hertogen van Anjou, die in 1431 hertogen van Lotharingen werden. Sinds Jeanne d'Arc het op haar vaandel droeg, werd dit kruis een symbool van nationale onafhankelijkheid, evenals een teken voor vereniging in zowel overwinning als ondergang. De Vrije Franse Strijdkrachten namen het symbool over op 1 juli 1940 als een antwoord op de swastika van de nazi's. Later werd het algemeen overgenomen door Vrije Fransen en verscheen het op veel insignes en monumenten.Dit monument werd gemaakt in opdracht van de patriottische vereniging Présence du Gaullisme en werd gebouwd door het Comité du Débarquement. Het werd op 16 juni 1990 ingehuldigd door admiraal Philippe de Gaulle, zoon van generaal Charles de Gaulle.Op 14 juni 1944 kwam generaal De Gaulle aan tussen Courseulles-sur-Mer en Graye-sur-Mer, aan boord van de Vrije Franse torpedobootjager genaamd 'La Combattante', met achttien andere mensen. Na een lang en moeilijk proces mocht De Gaulle naar het geallieerde bruggenhoofd in Normandië.Hij werd verwelkomd door de Schotse majoor Sanderson, gestuurd door generaal Montgomery, voordat hij naar zijn hoofdkwartier bij Château de Creullet in Creully werd gebracht. De rest van de delegatie ging, onder leiding van François Coulet en kolonel De Chevigné, op weg naar Bayeux.Om 15:30 uur arriveerde generaal De Gaulle in Bayeux. Hij werd verwelkomd door het stadsbestuur en vestigde zich daar, in de onderprefectuur. Hier hingen de portretten van Marshal Pétain en François Coulet, de eerste commissaris van de Republiek voor de bevrijde gebieden, en van Pierre de Chevigné, militaire commandant van bevrijde gebieden, nog steeds aan de muur. Hij werd vergezeld door generaal Koenig, schout-bij-nacht d’Argenlieu, Gaston Palewski en generaal Béthouart. De Gaulle had een ontmoeting met subprefect Rochat om de situatie bij het bruggenhoofd te bespreken. De Gaulle ging toen te voet door de straten van Bayeux voordat hij aankwam bij het kasteelplein om daar een toespraak te houden. Nadat hij Bayeux had verlaten, bezocht hij het verwoeste Isigny-sur-Mer en Grandcamp-les-Bains voordat hij terugkeerde naar Courseulles en weer aan boord ging van 'La Combattante'. De Gaulle ging diezelfde avond nog op weg naar Engeland.

Discover remembrance sites

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Juno Beach

Normandy American Cemetery

Merville Battery Museum

The 15th Scottish Infantry Division in Normandy

The British Airlandings

Ranville, the first village in Normandy to be liberated

The Scamaroni Company and the Liberation of Caen

Utah Beach

Gold Beach

Pointe du Hoc

Sword Beach

The artificial harbour of Arromanches

Les Braves Omaha Beach Memorial

The U.S. Airlandings in Normandy

The Crisbecq Battery Museum

The Battle of Chambois

Hill 67 and the Verrières ridge

The liberation of Lion-sur-mer

General de Gaulle’s return to Normandy

The Liberation of Colombelles

Operation Epsom: Battle of the Odon

The 51st Highland Division in Normandy

The liberation of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont

Croix de Lorraine

Discover remembrance sites

Discover more sites

Juno Beach

Normandy American Cemetery

Merville Battery Museum

The 15th Scottish Infantry Division in Normandy

The British Airlandings

​​Ranville, the first village in Normandy to be liberated​

​​The Scamaroni Company and the Liberation of Caen​

Utah Beach

Gold Beach

Pointe du Hoc

Sword Beach

The artificial harbour of Arromanches

Les Braves Omaha Beach Memorial

The U.S. Airlandings in Normandy

The Crisbecq Battery Museum

​​The Battle of Chambois​

Hill 67 and the Verrières ridge

​​The liberation of Lion-sur-mer

​​General de Gaulle’s return to Normandy

​​The Liberation of Colombelles

​​Operation Epsom: Battle of the Odon

The 51st Highland Division in Normandy

The liberation of Sainte-Marie-du-Mont

Croix de Lorraine

Ranville, the first village in Normandy to be liberated

The Scamaroni Company and the Liberation of Caen

The Battle of Chambois

The liberation of Lion-sur-mer

General de Gaulle’s return to Normandy

The Liberation of Colombelles

Operation Epsom: Battle of the Odon