Hi all, I am looking currently into finding links and events associated with the place known as “Hervieu” in Normandy in 1944. So far I’ve discovered that this place seemed to be one designated as a “rest” place for some of the 8th Armoured Brigade around June 1944 (from at least the 14th June to possibly the 25th June and beyond) and Hervieu itself seems to be a small village on the Seulles quite near to (to the NE of) the town of Chouain: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place...2!3m1!1s0x480a52107eaf6dab:0x0a0c144ad6677090 I assume also that there was some “HQ” section based here or hear abouts as well as “mobile” rest facilities and wondered if it were “more” likely to be based at the Chateau to the NE of this view rather than actually at the village of Hervieu – which to me right now seems an odd place to rest tanks, being right on the river and in presumably in quite “restricted” and even "boggy" terrain – Hervieu itself seems pretty defensible though, so perhaps this was part of the criteria for basing a base there? I’d probably assume so? As who'd want to be caught having a "shower" or watching a "film" during an attack ) Fortunately however http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/UN/Canada/CA/OpSumm/maps/OpSumm-7.jpg gives an idea of where the front line was at this stage (c13th June) - and I put "Hervieu" a bit to the south of the "P" in 30th Corps close to where the railway crosses the Seulles. All the best, Rm. Hervieu by Ramiles posted Apr 14, 2015 at 12:02 PM [sharedmedia=gallery:images:28208] Around Cristot et al 11d6m1944 by Ramiles posted Apr 10, 2015 at 3:05 PM [sharedmedia=gallery:images:28204]
Links to Hervieu "None Had Lances" - The story of the 24th Lancers by Leonard Willis http://www.amazon.co...s/dp/0951071807 http://www.abebooks....-0951071807/plp Monty's Marauders (with "Hervieu" in search): Monty’s Marauders ...and has the crews bathing "in the river" there. B) But somewhat preferring the "Bistros" in "undamaged" Bayeux, where I assume that the SRY were "more" happy to be 12th SS - Volume 1 (With "Hervieu" in search): The 12TH SS Volume One Though not much about the significance of "Hervieu" that I can see in the "preview" in there. Operation Bluecoat: Breakout from Normandy: Operation Bluecoat Makes several comments about how this was "undefended" ground - not sure why as yet? Though presumably if the Germans were going to defend anywhere "Chouain" on the otherside of the Seulles might make more sense (as in the case of the Tilly/St.Pierre point further to the south?) Maps: Eastern Flank of the Normandy Bridgehead (June-July 1944): http://www.ibiblio.o...ps/OpSumm-7.jpg Google streetviews: An "interesting" view looking south through the railway tunnel just to the north of Hervieu: (Would this have been a "good" place to park a tank?): https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@49.2...!1e1!3m2!1sShfZrfg0gT7qZoQL2xvMsQ!2e0!6m1!1e1 One of the river bridges at "Hervieu" it looks a bit too modern to have been the bridge of 1944: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@49.2...!1e1!3m2!1sQAiWeV9cfqiEFFw8XT7-_g!2e0!6m1!1e1 As too does the 2nd bridge - that closer to Chouain: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@49.2...!1e1!3m2!1sLwYJJjDhf8PTzGqgdrMLIQ!2e0!6m1!1e1 This "looks" like a "decent" place to park a tank: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@49.2...!1e1!3m2!1saeJgHoh-S-o0M50243Go4w!2e0!6m1!1e1 But I'd probably still rather be in the Chateau country (amongst the woods and higher lands to the the north-east) a site which I assume now is private as it's somewhere that googlestreet view (despite the "invitingly" open gate) does not "yet" appear to go: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@49.2...ata=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sAemH2Cp_UuJqeaByXeKhgg!2e0 Anyone for tennis? No sign of a swimming pool there (or at least not one outdoors) though : https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@49.2206703,-0.6136924,534m/data=!3m1!1e3 So my conclusion would be given the choice of "this" or a "rough field" I know where I'd rather have been
Events at Hervieu Wednesday 14th June 1944 Most of the 24th L were at "Hervieu" ("B" squad 24th L were guarding Point 103) And for some details at Point 103 and St.Pierre: The Battles for Point 103 and St. Pierre (8th– 18th June 1944) Thursday 15th June 1944 Most of the 24th L were at "Hervieu" ("B" squad 24th L were guarding Point 103 until last light when relieved by "A" squad 24th L) Friday 16th June 1944 "B" squad 24th L presumably at "Hervieu" other 24th L squads perhaps active elsewhere (i.e. "A" active in the 2nd attack on Cristot: The attacks on Cristot (10th to 11th & 16th June 1944) "C" squad 24th L at "Hervieu" or guarding Point 103 ?) Saturday 17th June 1944 "B" squad leave "Hervieu" for attack on Parc de Bois Londe (thread: The Battles for the Parc de Bois Londe (17th-18th June 1944) ‘A’ Squad 24th after some eventful forward patrolling from Point 103, returned to Hervieu in the evening. "C" relieve "B" squad at Parc de Bois Londe in the evening. Sunday 18th June 1944 Most of 24th L at "Hervieu". "C" squad 24th L were relieved at Parc de Bois Londe in the evening, by a squadron of the SRY, and moved back to "Hervieu". Monday 19th June 1944 Most of the 24th L at "Hervieu" preparing for the "big push" south to the Tessel Wood and securing "Rauray" Nb. the period from 19th-22nd June 1944 was marked by the terrible stormy weather that extensively damaged the Mulberry Harbours north on the Normandy landing beaches. This restricted a lot of "activity" at this stage and as far as I can see at the moment things went "fairly" quiet on the front line in this area - at this stage (???). Tuesday 20th June 1944 Activity restricted by the great Normandy storm??? Attack on Tessel Woods consequently postponed.... Wednesday 21st June 1944 Activity restricted by the great Normandy storm??? Attack on Tessel Woods consequently postponed.... Thursday 22nd June 1944 Activity restricted by the great Normandy storm??? Attack on Tessel Woods consequently postponed.... Friday 23rd June 1944 Continuing prep for attack on Tessel woods, waiting for ground to dry etc. ??? Saturday 24th June 1944 Continuing prep for attack on Tessel woods, waiting for ground to dry etc. ??? Extensive "recon" flights flown over area's south of the line between Tilly-sur-Seulles and Putot-en-Bessin by the CRAF: http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/57272-the-battles-for-point-103-and-st-pierre-8th–-18th-june-1944/?p=666660 Sunday 25th June 1944 0230 24th L leave "Hervieu" and move south for events in Tessel wood and the capture and defence of Rauray. For some further actions see threads at: The Battle for Tilly-sur-Seulles: The Battle for Tilly-sur-Seulles - Normandy - June 1944 24th Lancers - Tessel Wood (c25th June 1944): 24th Lancers - Tessel Wood (c25th June 1944) The Capture of Rauray (Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry et alia): The Capture of Rauray (Sherwood Rangers Yeomanry et alia) Defence of Rauray by the 24th Lancers, Tyneside Scottish et alia: Defence of Rauray by the 24th Lancers, Tyneside Scottish et alia
What was life like at "Hervieu" in June 1944? Some specific questions: 1. What was the food like in such rest areas during “June 1944” – i.e. was it standard and/or basic field rations or was something more “exotic” catered for? I hear the “local” food/drink in Normandy is quite good! Nb. See post below with... "The food in tins is good, Pork + veg is a bit rich, Irish Stew, Steak + Kidney, not much Kidney, Rice Pudding, Treacle Pudding and in some packs there’s mixed fruit but somehow we don’t seem to get any of those. We aren’t allowed to buy French Bread, actually we don’t want it, it isn’t nice and when one gets used to the biscuits they’re OK." 2. What films were being shown to allied troops in “June 1944” (Some reports that such "film shows" weren't "that popular" though? Perhaps it was the wrong choice of film, or such things weren't a tank's crews "primary" concern?) From here for example: 24th Lancers in July 1944 i.e. "We went to the flicks this morning and I saw Abbot and Costello in “Hit the Ice”" 3. Was there other entertainment such as famous names booked for shows or lectures/talks at Hervieu? Sadly: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Miller#Army_Air_Force_Band:_1942.E2.80.931944 doesn't give a day to day run down of an itinerary, but I think Monty and some other VIP's might have "turned up" there? There's an "interesting" story of the SRY having a "ball" in the Netherlands all the while whilst being mortared by the Germans (For which see: The 8TH ARMOURED BRIGADE in the last paragraph but one about the "Ball in the centre of Nijmegen". Quite like the "black-tie dinner party" in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carry_On..._Up_the_Khyber and British stiff upper-lip I imagine there 4. Was this “camping” in the rough, with a tent tied to a tank, "a tent in a boggy field" or were actual rooms available in some residence or chateau? 5. Which other "units" were using "Hervieu" at this point or thereafter? For example I haven't yet the evidence to suggest that the SRY camped there? They appear to have been withdrawn back from the front perhaps occasionally to have rested at some other place? Maybe even Bayeux? Delaforce in Monty's Marauders (see post #2) has crews of lost tanks going back to "RHU" (unidentified so not sure where? Rm) until fresh tanks were available. 6. Was "Hervieu" where an 8th Armoured "hospital" was based? i.e. if not - where were the wounded troops sent (first?) ? Many thanks and all the best, Rm.
So thanks to "m kenny" - I've attached where the recon photo seems to align to the old map: A siding Or depot Of sorts Nr Hervieu And Audrieu by Ramiles posted Apr 15, 2015 at 10:56 AM [sharedmedia=gallery:images:28209] There's mostly excellent alignment there albeit a slight disconnect between the route of the farm track path or road to the south west towards Le Pont Roc as it seems in the recon pic to be more to the south and less to the west. Seeming now to be heading rather than to Le Pont Roc - but towards where the 3 roads meet to the west. Since this is a photo from 1947 it's well after 1944 - and looking at a more modern satellite view much of this all has now been replaced with more pedestrian fields: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place...2!3m1!1s0x480a52107eaf6dab:0x0a0c144ad6677090
That aerial photo is certainly showing a lot of development/buildings/etc, all now long gone. 'Lancer Life' does include brief notes about rest areas. I will try to locate the appropriate copy and post details (might take some time because those docs are in storage).
Thanks SDP, Lancer Life's here: 24th Lancers Newsletter: 'Lancer Life'. Bearing well in mind that the big buildup in depots and sidings could be (and quite probably is) well post 1944 (???) I'd be most interested in what those notes have to say. Such things can often add a lot of colour to what otherwise might be a drab picture of a wet month camping in a Normandy field! Which I'm sure quite a few people have "enjoyed" Monty's Marauders (with "Hervieu" in search): Monty’s Marauders ....has them "bathing in rivers" and being "nicely fed" by French farmers with "smelly cheeses" - no mention of garlic or onions though I suppose those could well sit within the "fresh vegetables" category - and surprising little about Calvados - which I think that the tanks crews seemed to mention in their own "accounts" there rather a lot ! It's lovely though to think that there were one or two things at least to smile about there All the best, Rm.
I remember my father saying that in his three weeks in Normandy he got one 'proper' day off. He said "they"...his crew presumably...went into Bayeux and in their youthful naivety thought they would seek out the Bayeux Tapestry. When they asked they were met with a very puzzled look and advised that the Tapestry had long ago been sent to England for safe keeping....obviously. He also recalled swimming in a stream or pond, and I gather he found the location on the 1984 'return to Normandy' visit organised by Vic Burton. I don't know where it was I'm afraid. On his last visit in 2004 before he passed away he brought me back a melamine pencil tray from Bayeux with a transfer of a Norman ship full of soldiers on horseback. The 24th Lancers were doing just the same, going in the other direction. And he got to see the Tapestry...60 years later than he intended. Tim
Yes, even on their "rest" days they were expected to move to and fro from the "front" and be involved in maintenance and preparing for the next actions whatever they were. I remember my own visits to Normandy back in the 80's when holidays always seemed to be "closer" to home, but the weather was nice and warm which was a pleasant surprise, some of those days in June 1944 were pretty chilly to be jumping in a stream! I remember back in the 80's looking at the beaches and places like Bayeux but it's such a shame that I didn't know then all about the "places" that they "actually" were for far more of their time there. (By the way - before someone else jumps in: "The Bayeux tapestry and other important cultural treasures had been stored at the Château de Sourches near Le Mans from the start of the war (?), and survived intact" - so perhaps there is some confusion in the telling there? Not that wiki has ever got it wrong before http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Overlord#Civilians_and_French_heritage_buildings ) The one thing that really stood out and that I still remember strongest after all these years was Le Mont St.Michel, not in the British sector though, sadly I fear, but something to see, and I'm glad it wasn't a casualty of war. It must have been the time of one of the anniversaries though as there were lots of chaps driving about in tanks and armoured trucks and jeeps then and I remember thinking that the locals were being reminded of it all "a bit too much" !!!! They seemed to be enjoying it all though nevertheless despite all the traffic and congestion at least this time the guns weren't going off! I could well imagine some French turning up in Hastings and doing a pilgrimage up to Wallingford and Oxford in armour and on horseback in honour of 1066! And all the people smiling and cheering along the way. I think I remember some "suggestion" that the French govt. after the war might give the honour of the "Duchy of Normandy" back to the British crown. That would have been a nice "gesture" - and not at all controversial in the event (I think ) All the best, Rm.
Rm Might be getting my history confused but the French in 1066 weren't the same French as today and it is us who are the descendent Normans so we can celebrate all we wish.......but I think the Anglo-Saxon part of us might disagree. Sure I've seen some reenactment of the Battle of Hastings mentioned somewhere.
Yes, I seem to remember that the "Normans" hadn't been in "France" all that long (at that time they'd got Neustria (Normandy) from the French through rather underhand Viking means!) before they crossed the channel and liberated the English from that dastardly "usurper" Harold. (Not to mention that the Anglo saxons displaced my beloved celts!!!) :http://rexfactor.podbean.com/e/17-william-the-conqueror/ I suspect that the "King" of France was quite glad to think that he was getting rid of "William Le Basterd" - or at least off of his back for a bit, and didn't appreciate him being King of England as well as Duke of Normandy one bit at all. (after all William owed him allegiance not the other way around!) It wasn't that long ago (well centuries I guess!) that the British monarchy actually stopped calling itself Kings of France, we still have the Channel Islands and they are "a part" of "Normandy" afterall :P http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/QueenandCrowndependencies/ChannelIslands.aspx In the Channel Islands The Queen is known as The Duke of Normandy. At official functions, islanders raise the loyal toast to 'The Duke of Normandy, our Queen'. :biggrin: I was there once a good few years ago in the 90's visitng relatives when some French fishermen "invaded" the Ecrehous and nearly started an Anglo-French war http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89cr%C3%A9hous#.27Invasions.27 I think it was on QI where they said that up until about 100 years ago about 90% of the people in France didn't even speak French! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_language It's a diverse country, with a lot of differences regionally. The German's played on this by putting in troops from Alsace that spoke perfect French, and were able to more simply blend in. And the German's in Normandy tried to get the local French to see the English (i.e. allies) as "the invaders" in 1944! and not liberators at all. Sorry I've been reading a bit too much of the Meyer book. He actually refers to the allies as "dastardly" and with "degenerated thinking" at one point https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=zAbDS7uLVIMC&pg=PT164&lpg=PT164&dq=Hervieu+8th+Armoured+Brigade&source=bl&ots=02oBTwh7nC&sig=xoYOqrSJ7eGr6oKjpL_kguDOTd8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=bSktVY-MG82PaOfJgJgC&ved=0CDcQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=dietrich&f=false and makes it seem like the Germans were there defending the French, almost because - "well somebody had to" !
Re: Real location of Bayeux tapestry in WW2. I expect there was much speculations as to where it really was, and I wouldn't be surprised if locals were led to believe it had gone to England. If they didn't know they couldn't tell the Germans could they, willingly or otherwise. Anyway, for what its worth thats what "A Frenchman" told my dad and his mates, and thats how he related the story to me. Tim
It's a really interesting question, and one I'm afraid that I don't know much about, not having researched it in any depth myself, wiki could well be very wrong I only saw it because I looked out of interest there when I was reading about the Normandy campaign and Overlord and saw that section on the "French" heritage there. I think that the Vichy French wanted to get their "gold" back from the allies (which was sent abroad when the Germans were "on their way" back in 1940), I think the Belgium gold went to Dakar and thence with the Belgium Uranium to the US ?? The French gold to Canada? And the French Vichy govt. would think it's our Gold, we're French, we could "use it" so give it back. I don't think though that Britain saw things this way. The way I remember it was that Britain dealt with the Free French and the US dealt with Vichy until the US was at war. I don't think that the UK was ever "actually" at war with Vichy though??? They just didn't want Vichy to have stuff that the German's could "use". If the British had the Bayeux embroidery (if I said tapestry I'd soon be ticked off there ), I wonder if it would have ever been on display or would it have just been "locked away"? And would it be like the Elgin marbles after the war and we'd say look "we rescued it", we can't possibly "give it back" now In terms of % tourists do more British people go to Bayeux to see it than the French ???! It was all British and Americans looking at it whilst I was there. As I understand it (???) it was actually made by British embroiders in England - for Bishop Odo of Bayeux ??? and I don't know why it never came back? Particularly after the defeat of Napoleon, or before that during the French revolution when a lot of French heritage was spirited across to the UK. I'm not sure it was that famous though in past years and perhaps it became really famous in later years. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayeux_Tapestry#History_of_the_tapestry It's remarkable when you look at its history that it has actually survived at all.... I wonder if the Germans had long "known" where it was - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahnenerbe - would it have ended up in Himmler's bedroom or his "long gallery?" or would they have preferred to have waited and made a "new one" of their own (in celebration) once they had themselves successfully invaded and conquered the UK?
By the way, I'm still not sure if it was just the 24th L that used "Hervieu" - or whether it was used as a wider base of other units, such as those of the 8th Armoured or even more than these? At the moment I guess that the suggestion is that "Hervieu" was a base away from the dangers of Point 103 and so might have been used by those troops that served at Point 103, but it does seem that the SRY were pulled back to somewhere slightly closer to Bayeux, whereas those troops across the Seulles might preferred to use some "other" camp (not sure of what size around Jerusalem crossroads perhaps?). At the time "Hervieu" might have been just a useful quiet village, or a confiscated railway siding/depo that proved useful as an army encampment during a time of war. Interestingly I have seen some really "nice" aerial views of some great Normandy "hospital camps" / "medical corps" / "med depos" encampments out there: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Normandy+hospital+camps+1944&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=5ZgyVavGEs7eao7EgcgJ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=685 But "actual" army encampments seem harder to get a "glimpse" of out there: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Normandy+hospital+camps+1944&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=5ZgyVavGEs7eao7EgcgJ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1280&bih=685#tbm=isch&q=Normandy+army+camps+1944 I have to say that this is a particularly "intriguing" pic though: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Jeep_rail_french_british_1944.jpg Français : Libération de la Basse-Normandie pendant l'été 1944, en secteur américain. Une jeep à été montée sur rail, les pneumatiques retirés et arrimés sur les flancs du véhicule. A leur bords, britanniques et français. As it might be one of some British and French troops in some rail siding on a modified rail-jeep in 1944 - and came up bizarrely under one of the above searches. Shame, it says it's in the American sector - not the British though. (Though what are the British and French troops doing there in this "jeep" if this is actually so :Hydrogen: very loopy logic there!???
This letter (below) comes from a time (24/6/1944) when my grandfather was I expect at Hervieu. The 24th L War Diary has this... for the period 18-24/6/44 Hervieu 18-24/6/44 These days were spent by the Regiment in preparing for a set piece attack on the Tessel Wood feature in support of 146 Inf. Bde. The attack had been planned to go in on 19th June, but was postponed daily until it was finally put in. The Regiment took the opportunity during this necessarily uneasy period to rest the men and maintain the tanks as much as possible. In the meantime, Officers devoted continual study to air photographs and defensive overlays applicable to the attack. Sgt.B.Symes 24th Lancers B.W.E.F. 24-6-44 Dearest Phyl + Rob, A letter is better than the official card to tell you of the change in address. The initials stand for British Western Expeditionary Force. The weather here today is lovely. In this orchard, (it’s just like Senie’s) we get the full benefit of the sun. We are lucky to have a nice stream for the washing of ourselves and our clothes, there is a nice little waterfall, so we have a shower bath, when it's warm enough! They did fix up for us to have a bath, we took one look at it and decided our stream was cleaner. They say there’s trout in it but I haven’t seen any. The food in tins is good, Pork + veg is a bit rich, Irish Stew, Steak + Kidney, not much Kidney, Rice Pudding, Treacle Pudding and in some packs there’s mixed fruit but somehow we don’t seem to get any of those. We aren’t allowed to buy French Bread, actually we don’t want it, it isn’t nice and when one gets used to the biscuits they’re OK. Cheerio my dear, lots of love to you both. From your loving husband Ben XX. Ps. re. the French Bread, he did like it, it's just I guess that the one's they saw there at that time were, for a bit, a bit stale, or else were not made by the French ). PPs. B.W.E.F. was uncommon in his letters and I don't think used much again, so not sure what happened there as B.L.A was more typical for other correspondence.
Re. "PPs. B.W.E.F. was uncommon in his letters and I don't think used much again, so not sure what happened there as B.L.A was more typical for other correspondence." I googled: British western expeditionary force - Google Search And came up with a few hits to this: ie. BWEF address card 24.6.44 – One Day at a Time And... The Normandy Campaign 1944 Which has B.W.E.F. interpreted as "Burma When Europe Finished" "Then when the name changed to B.L.A. - "Burma Looms Ahead" " Which also puts into context the often seen mentions "of when we go to Burma" etc. in the letters etc. I have seen from that time.
Another of the letters probably from Hervieu, with more details about the life of the 24th L there... albeit this time the address gets an "A.P.O. England." this redirection may be as a result of the Normandy Storm holding up deliveries and his thinking that interim mail was best redirected to some holding station in the UK before shipment etc. (???) Normandy_Letter_dated_22d6m1944y by Ramiles posted Jan 8, 2017 at 11:18 AM Sgt.B.Symes 24th Lancers A.P.O. England. Friday 23rd June Dearest Phyl and Rob, During the few days we have been in this district we have become friendly with a farmer and his wife they have two kiddies, a boy 5 years and a girl 5 months. The enclosed is a picture of the girl. They appear to do things in style as the layout of the Christening will tell you. They had quite a lot of these so I asked for one to send to you and they were very pleased about it. There appears to be quite a lot of cattle etc. around about and one begins to think there’s no difference, but the farmer soon puts one wise. This particular chap used to get 200 eggs every day, his hens have been whittled down and he is now lucky to get 4. They have eight milking cows for a huge farm that could take over 100. Another thing that we don’t… …think much of is the prices, we don’t get much chance to get to shops I admit, but when we do it’s quite out of the question to buy even ordinary things. We did get some camembert cheese from a local factory at 8 Francs, I went up the road and bought one and was charged 12 Fr., and in the nearest big town they are 35 Fr. They are a luxury of course, our own food is ample so there’s no need to buy, in the country there’s plenty of milk, they’re glad to give it away. They make their own butter and very often ask me if we’d like some, quite good stuff but it won’t keep very long. Things are going along quite well. The Yanks are doing fine on the Cherbourg sector, they will soon have that tied up and ready to use as a port again. The mail has slowed down a bit, perhaps the sorters are on leave. Nb. last bit about the sorters was just a bit of light humour I suspect as from the date etc... this was going on: Monday 19th June 1944 Most of the 24th L at "Hervieu" preparing for the "big push" south to the Tessel Wood and securing "Rauray" Nb. the period from 19th-22nd June 1944 was marked by the terrible stormy weather that extensively damaged the Mulberry Harbours north on the Normandy landing beaches. This restricted a lot of "activity" at this stage and as far as I can see at the moment things went "fairly" quiet on the front line in this area - at this stage (???). Tuesday 20th June 1944 Activity restricted by the great Normandy storm??? Attack on Tessel Woods consequently postponed.... Wednesday 21st June 1944 Activity restricted by the great Normandy storm. Attack on Tessel Woods consequently postponed.... Thursday 22nd June 1944 Activity restricted by the great Normandy storm. Attack on Tessel Woods consequently postponed.... Friday 23rd June 1944 Continuing prep for attack on Tessel woods, waiting for ground to dry etc.
Incidentally the MO's original account for the 14th June 1944 - having moved himself there on the 13th - has them resting in "Cristot" as the village of Cristot was in German hands at this point, until liberated on the 16d6m1944 understandably this has been corrected in NHL - where on page 174 of NHL it has been amended to read "Chouain" Below is the MO's original account... Where he writes in the 3rd paragraph "we are moved for a sort of a rest to the village of Cristot" Further on, still on the 14th June 1944, a bit more description by the MO of where they were resting... Which sounds rather more to me like Hervieu than Chouain - however it is difficult to be sure... It could, perhaps, merely be that their camp was roughly equidistant in the area between the two... Hervieu by Ramiles posted Apr 14, 2015 at 12:02 PM [sharedmedia=gallery:images:28208]
