CHÊNEDOLLE/VIESSOIX/BERNIERES-LE-PATRY
Manche - 5 and 9 km east of Vire
 The Tiger tank stood alone to defend the hill
On 31 July 1944, the VIIIth British Corps seized a bridge across the river Souleuvres. This success enabled the 11st Armoured Division a fast drive southward. General Eberbach, Commander of the Panzer-Korps West obtained the reinforcement of the 9th SS Panzer-Division Hohenstaufen, and the powerful Schwere Panzer-Abteilung 102. On 1st August, the 11st Armoured Division entered Le Beny-Bocage, Vire was at ten kilometers. The next day, a Squadron of the 2nd Household Cavalry reached Presles, east of Burcy. Near Chênedollé, sturmbannführer Weiss Tiger destroyed five British Sherman. On 3 August, engineer SS troops were facing the Guards Division tanks, near Pavée hamlet. On 4 August, the Germans had heavy defensive battle to hold their positions, they launched local counter-attacks. Between Burcy and Chênedollé, an important force composed of elements of the 15th Scottish Division, of the 11st Armoured Division and the Guards Armoured Division was isolated. The British withdrew during the night. On 6 August, struggles were furious near Pavée, the SS captured hill 224 then they were pushed back. On 7 August, a Tiger tank was ambushed on hill of Chênedollé and blew up 14 tanks of the 23rd Hussars. The Germans held the ground from Vire, Chênedollé to estry until 13 August, then they retreated after the failure of the attack on Mortain. Chênedollé, Pavée and Viessoix are liberated.
 
     
 
 
 
 
2nd Armoured Division monument - Chênedollé
Monument in memory of the 2nd British Armoured Division soldiers, who fought from 2 to 9 August 1944 to liberate this sector.
 Situation : 500 meters north of the town, at the edge of the road to Presles
Near Le Bas Perrier the hill where was ambushed the Tiger of the SS Panzer-Abteilung 102
 
 
The Normons plaque - Viessoix
Plaque dedicated to the British soldiers who liberated the town : 1st Battalion The Royal Norfolk Regiment, and 3rd Battalion The Monmouthshire Regiment (3rd Infantry Division).
 Situation : the plaque is fixed on a metallic post, in front of the town hall
 
  The Royal Norfolk regiment/The Monmouthshire Regiment/Sidney Bates monument
Chênedollé (Pavée)
Monument commemorating the fierce fighting of soldiers of the 1st Battalion The Royal Norfolk Regiment, and the 3rd Battalion The Monmouthshire Regiment (3rd British Infantry Division) in the area from 5 to 10 August 1944. The monument recalled the sacrifice of Caporal Sidney Bates who was distinguished posthumously with the Victoria Cross.
Situation : take a little road south of Burcy that crosses Pavée and joins the D303 road, the monument is at the peak of a slope in a bend
  Monument US Air Force
Bernières-le-Patry
Stele in memory of the six crew members of an american aircraft that crashed there on 5 April 1944. They were bringing arms and equipment to the French Resistance.
Situation : west of the town, take the D309 road then first to the right toward Périer station, the stele stands 1 km away on the left at the entrance of a track leading to a farm
ROAD MAP
 
INTERESTING WEB SITES

Personal web site about the Second World War tanks
http://www.chars-francais.net/de1942a1945.htm
Page about the Tiger I of Saumur Tanks Museum
http://Tiger1.info/saumur/
Manche departmental tourism office web site
http://www.manchetourisme.com/
Personal web site about D-day and the Normandy battle
http://www.debarquement-normandie.com/

 
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