I came across an interesting tree recently while poking around a building that was a German HQ in Ranville. The best view using Google is from the rear on Rue Froide. It towers triumphantly above the others nearby and could possibly be an oak. Looking at its height and girth it appears to be quite old and was probably in existence in 1944. The aerials I have of Ranville from that period are poor quality and quickly lose detail when zoomed in on. After the Germans were chased off by the 13th Battalion the building at 6 Rue du Général de Gaulle became for a time the MDS for the 195 Airlanding Field Ambulance. An interesting article in The Independent by the grandson of one the officers gives some background details on its operation. One field over to the rear of the building is the Chateau de Mariquet. Perhaps on that dark and gusty night the tree received into its branches a paratrooper as it stands just on the edge of what was then Drop Zone N. I emailed the company that uses the building today asking if there was any local lore concerning the tree, but received no reply. If you look closely you can just make out the top of the church tower beyond in the greatest close-up. Some of you may be able to identify other buildings in Ranville and Benouville used as garrisons and depots by the Germans at that time. The Chateau de Guernon and this HQ building are the only ones I've found so far. I'm not even sure if the tree itself is still standing as the Street View images are probably several years old. Family legend has it that my father landed in a Ranville tree near a German HQ. Whether it was near this particular building I'll never know as he passed on many years ago. I'll attach a few images. Unfortunately as you zoom in they start to lose focus.
