I am just back from a four day tour of Normandy ( Photos to follow ). In looking at the brochure issued by the Association Normandie Memoire, it lists all the cemeteries in the area. American Cemetery, Coleville-Sur-Mer 9,387 graves Saint -James 4,410 graves. Canadian Cemeteries in Beny-Sur-Mer 2,049 burials. Cintheaux 2,958 British Bayeux 4,648 Banneville-Sannerville 2,175 Bazenville-Ryes 979 Brouay 377 Cambes-EN-Plaine 224 Chouain 47 Douvres-La-Delivrande 1,123 Fontenay-Le-Pesnel 520 Hermanville-Sur-Mer 1,005 Hottot-Les-Bagues 1,137 Ranville 2,562 Saint-Manvieu-Norrey 2,183 Secqueville-En-Bessin 117 Tilly-Sur-Seulles 1,222 St-Charles-De-Percy 789 St-Desir-De-Lisieux 589 German La Cambe 21,222 Huisnes-Sur-Mer 11,956 Marigny 11,169 Orglandes 10,152 St-Desir-De-Lisieux 3,735 Polish Urville-Langannerie 615 French Les GateysFrench Necropolis, 19 graves. The brochure states " some of the bodies of the 70 men of the 2nd French Armoured Division who fell during the fighting in the Orne department were returned to their families. As a result only 19 soldiers are buried at Les Gateys, inaugerated in 1970, whence their bodies were transferred from municipal cemeteries." With some 14,000 civilian casualties during the Battle of Normandy, would someone know the losses experienced by French fighting forces? Thank you
During the Battle for Normany, the 2nd Division lost 133 men killed, 648 wounded, and 85 missing. Division material losses included 76 armored vehicles, 7 cannons, 27 halftracks, and 133 other vehicles. At the end of the campaign in northwestern Europe, the 2nd French Armoured Division counted 1,687 dead, including 108 officers, and 3,300 wounded.
The only other French troops in Normandy that I know of were the French Commandos of N°4 Commando (troops n°1 and n°8) that landed at Sword Beach in front of Ouistreham and the strongpoint 'Riva Bella' at H +30. Those KIA maybe (and only maybe) in CWG graveyards; they were serving in a British Commando unit. Best, Steve.
The only other French troops in Normandy that I know of were the French Commandos of N°4 Commando (troops n°1 and n°8) that landed at Sword Beach in front of Ouistreham and the strongpoint 'Riva Bella' at H +30. Those KIA maybe (and only maybe) in CWG graveyards; they were serving in a British Commando unit. Best, Steve. A link here to those of 4 Commando killed in Normandy. No.4 Commando - In Remembrance
Thanks Jason! There are a couple of monuments in Ouistreham to the French commandos killed there, but the Roll Of Honour for Normandy as supplied by Jason below is more comprehensive; the French are in the bottom right hand column... I don't know where they are buried. Best, Steve.
