SAINT-MARTIN-DES-BESACES
Calvados - 30 km south-east of Saint-Lô
The 11th Armoured Division attack the Norman hills
On 30 July 1944 the 2nd British Army was ready to launch the attack. The strength ratio was in greater measure favourable to the Allied forces who faced two German divisions. At dawn the British carried on the assault but they were delayed by extended minefields. The XXXth Corps progression was slow. On the VIIIth Corps front the 15th Scottish Infantry Division and the tanks of the 6th Guards Tank brigade took Sept-Vents and moved toward Saint-Martin-des-Besaces. At 4 p. m. the Allied bombers stormed hill 309 east of the town. The British tanks drove forward and did not wait for infantry, they overcame weak German defense and reached the top. Suddenly the British tanks were engaged by three German Jagdpanther, within a matter of minutes fourteen Churchill tanks were destroyed. On 31st July the 21st Panzer-Division that had just arrived in the area launched several attacks against the 6th Guards Tank Brigade, the Germans were pushed back. The 11th Armoured Division broke through German anti-tank defense line and captured Saint-Martin-des-Besaces at the end of the morning.
   
 
 
 
The Breakthrough Museum
This Museum recalls the fighting of the British soldiers and the French Resistance to liberate the Norman bocage. In eight rooms the Museum presents photographs, dioramas and uniforms that depict this epidode of the Normandy Battle.
 
  Brigadier Barttelot stele
 Stele in memory of Brigadier Sir Walter Barttelot, Commander of the 4th Battalion of the Coldstream Guards, who took Hill 309 on 30 July 1944.
Situation : on N175 road, east of the town, at the top of Hill 309
 
ROAD MAP
 
INTERESTING WEB SITES

Personal web site about the German infantryman
http://www.deutschesoldaten.com/
Personnal web site about the 15th Scottish British Infantry Division
http://www.cameronians.com/15th/index.htm
Personal web site about British artillery during World War II
http://members.tripod.com/~nigelef/index.htm
Personal web site about the Second World War tanks
http://www.chars-francais.net/de1942a1945.htm
 
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