Dus tot volgende week dan iedereen, ik ga in ieder geval m'n digitaal fototoestel z'n werk laten doen zodat jullie nadien ook kunnen meegenieten..
(het onderste gedeelte zitten we, bovenaan is van de bewoners)
En natuurlijk, net zoals zovele dorpjes in de streek, WO2 gerelateerde geschiedenis in Etoupefour.. Er zijn hevige gevechten geweest tussen Engelse troepen en de 10de SS Panzer-eenheid.
Enkele indrukken ;
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Churchill Tank, Hill 112
Memorial to 43rd (Wessex) Division on Hill 112
Hill 112 has often been called the 'Verdun of Normandy'. It was here that the British breakout came to a halt, following the crossing of the Odon, and the fighting around the high ground of the infamous Hill absorbed several British formations during the summer of 1944. During two days fighting alone, 10th-11th July 1944, the 43rd (Wessex) Division suffered more than 2,000 casualties, and the slopes of the Hill were ablaze with the wrecks of British tanks (largely Churchills) knocked out by the SS Panzer units in occupation of the high ground. Hill 112 was not finally cleared until 3rd August, during the final phase of the breakout from Normandy. By that time the crest of the hill had been turned into a vast crater-zone of shell holes, wrecked vehicles and the bodies of those who had fought and died here.
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July 10
At 0300 hours Battalion moved to Forming up Point area Fontaine Etoupefour 9664. The move was covered by Artillery and no difficulties were encountered.
Battalion Headquarters was established at 944653.
At 0500, B Squadron advanced with 5 Dorsets and in fifteen minutes Les Daims 968640 had been taken and only machine gun fire had been encountered.
It was known that elements of 10 SS Pz Division threatened left flank and 12 Panthers were reported roaming in the area of Eterville.
A troop of 17-pounder S.P. took up positions to guard against this threat while B Squadron pushed on to the Chateau. Resistance was still confined to machine gun fire and snipers, and soon 6, 7 and 8 Troops captured their objective, but one tank had been lost on the left flank, due to anti-tank fire later discovered to be 75/55mm.
At 0614 hours, the objective was reported secure with the infantry firmly established on the line of the road Fontaine-Etoupefour – Maltot.
