|
JUNE 6TH, 1944, 07.25 HOUR THE BRITISH AND CANADIAN SECTORS:
'GOLD', 'JUNO' AND
'SWORD'
Leave Arromanches and follow the D 514
east. This is the sector 'GOLD' : Decent the D 514 and stop at the intersection with the D 205 east of Le Hamel (Asnelles). Take a stroll to the boulevard that leads 100 meters to the sea. Here is a splendid view (especially at low tide) at the 'Phoenix' elements from the Mulberry harbour of Arromanches (see below).
Here you'll find some remarkable bunkers. You notice that the guns covered the beaches and not the sea. The Germans thought that the invasion would take place with spring tide so the landingcrafts should drift over the German obstacles. When the beach was at it smallest
(high tide) German fire was at its fierced. (See also 'The bunker-page'). Fortunately for the Allied troops it was low tide and the radius of the guns was to tight. Other then the Americans, the British made good use at the beaches with Hobart's Funnies (see also 'Hobart/Mulberry'). Because of heavy defence fire from the Germans at Le Hamel three CRABS (mine-sweeper tanks)were destroyed. But one manage to sweep a clean path for the soldiers.
CONTINUE ON THE D 514 EASTWARD :
Near the village sign of Ver-sur-Mer on the left side is the Sector 'KING' (part of Gold). During the landing the weather was terrible. Because of that, the DD-tanks were directly de-barked at the beach. In this sector of the landing beaches the Funnies of Hobart were of extreme good use.
Just a half mile inland was the Battery of Fleury with 150 mm guns (you can still find them with some difficulty because they are almost disappeared in the modern built up). At this point the only Victoria Cross was won on D-Day by CSM Hollis. Stanley Hollis,
a veteran who fought with the 8th Army in North-Africa and Sicily, was full of hate against the Germans. During the evacuation at Dunkirk in 1940, he found in a street in Lille a lot of killed civilians, murdered by Germans. Until the 6th of June he had 90 notches in his weapon, one for every killed German.
During the march to the Battery of Fleury they past unnoticed a couple of bunkers that suddenly opened fire.
THE BATTERY OF FLEURY
In stead off taking cover, CSM Hollis stormed all the way shooting towards the bunker. He threw a hand grenade inside, emptied his stengun and killing three Germans in the process. He then unarmed the rest of them and took them prisoner. His next move was towards some trenches
and 'cleared' these from Germans. Through these action he saved many British lives. Sometime later Hollis tried to put a machinegun post out of action with a PIAT. He was hit by a sniper in his cheek. The house were he took shelter was completely destroid by cannon fire. Hollis and his men escaped just in time,
but two men were stuck in the rubble. A few men returned to free the stuck men. Meanwile Hollis, standing tall in the open, was giving covering fire with a Bren machinegun to distract the Germans. At the end of the day his 'tally' stood at 102 !
CSM Stanley Elton Hollis VC
Hollis died early in the seventies and his VC was sold for £30.000.
Ver-sur-Mer (La Rivière), take the D 122 and head for the inland to Crépon. As you leave Ver-sur-Mer you'll see on the left a small road that leads to the Battery of Mare-Fontaine. Here 100 mm cannons were placed. Follow next the D 112 to the D 65 to the cross-roads
with the D 12. Head straight on and follow the small road. Just before crossing the River Seulles you'll see over your right shoulder Castle Creullet.
Left a bunker from Battery Mare-Fontaine, right, Creully Château from were the BBC had there broadcast.
Near the castle, Château Creullet, Generaal
Montgomery parked his caravan on 9 June and installed here his headquarters. Some of the guest who came here were Winston
Churchill on 12 June and King George IV on 16 June. Saucy detail: Montgomery discovered his caravan was lacking a toilet, so he borrowed a piss-pot from the castle, nicely decorated with pink flowers! Follow the road and cross the river and take the hill, turn left at the First World War monument.
This is the castle (the town-hall) from were the BBC put out here broadcast about the proceeding on the Normandy campaign. During office hours you may visit the small tower and the studio.
SECTOR 'JUNO' 6 JUNE, 1944, 07.45 HOURS
The Canadian 3rd Division (15.000 men) and 9.000 supporting British troops were to land at the sector 'JUNO'. The sector started at La Rivière and run all the way to St-Aubin-sur-Mer. After a bombardment by the British and American airforce, eleven navy vessels opened fire on the coastline.
The Germans put up a fierce fight but the Canadians managed to got hold of a large piece of ground, the biggest of all units that landed that day (almost 10 kilometres inland). Unfortunately it was not possible to make the connection with the 'SWORD' sector. In this 'hole' the 21st SS Pantzer Division
from Caen took position that night.
GRAY-SUR-MER In this sector were 128 casualties on Canadian side. Behind the DD Tanks that landed here came the AVRE tanks (See 'Hobart/Mulberry') at 07.55
hours. The mine sweeping tanks and bridge layers were hard at work around the German strong points, you can still find the damaged bunkers over here. At this 'Exit' was an anti-tank pit dug and filled up with water. When an AVRE tank tried to put in load of wood, the edge of the pit gave way and the tank sank into it.
The tank filled up with water and the crew almost drowned. They clambered out and took shelter behind a dune against the German fire. An mortar dropped between the men and four were killed. The two wounded were brought to England that afternoon. The tank had completely disappeared in the pit. The hole was later filled with debris and
wood so tanks could run over her and leave the beach. The tank stayed there until 1976 when they salvaged here. Now it stands as a monument at the beach exit.
AVRE-CHURCHILL MK VIII (ARMOURED VEHICLE ROYAL
ENGINEERS)
To continue your route: Courseulles, Bernières and the
radar of Douvres, click 'HERE'.
back to the top
RETURN
| 
