Bény-sur-Mer explained

Bény-sur-Mer
Commune Status:Commune
Image Coat Of Arms:Blason ville fr Bény-sur-Mer (Calvados).svg
Arrondissement:Bayeux
Canton:Thue et Mue
Insee:14062
Postal Code:14440
Mayor:Hubert Delalande[1]
Term:2020 - 2026
Coordinates:49.29°N -0.4342°W
Elevation M:43
Elevation Min M:10
Elevation Max M:65
Area Km2:6.65

Bény-sur-Mer (in French pronounced as /beni syʁ mɛʁ/, literally Bény on Sea) is a commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region, in northwestern France.[2] It lies 5 km south of Bernières-sur-Mer and 13 km north of Caen.[3]

World War II

During World War II, Bény-sur-Mer was liberated on D-Day by Le Régiment de la Chaudière, a French Canadian unit. There was a gun battery located near the town at the time.[4]

D-Day: morning

Although garrisoned during the Occupation, Beny-sur-Mer did not play a central role in a major tactical confrontation on D-Day. Instead, the village witnessed three noteworthy incidents on that day. To the northeast, a prolonged struggle unfolded at Château-de-Tailleville (WN 23) before Beny-sur-Mer's security was assured. Directly to its west, a brief encounter occurred at WN 28a later in the day. Additionally, early in the morning, two battalions from the 716 Infantry Division encountered a transformative shift in their day due to Naval Gunfire.

Late in the Occupation, Beny-sur-Mer garrisoned a German a [Hauptkolonnen (Main) or Saunderkolonnen (Special) 160] supply transportation unit assigned from LXXXIV Armeekorps (Stab: St. Lô), to KVA H1 Caen. Located centrally to the work and units of Infantry-Division 716, a sub-unit of Kw.Trsp.Kp. 4./ Kw.Trsp.Abt. 564., it was noted to be in Beny-sur-Mer on D-Day.[16] The supply and transport services of Occupation Static Divisions (Coastal Defense) were organized on the design that artillery batteries were not moved; as such artillery ammunition and the troop supply trains were not well resourced. From 1941, the priority for motorized and horse-drawn transport was for Divisions fighting in Russia; with almost no additional vehicles available for Divisions on occupation duty, in France.[17] While a ‘standard’ Division Supply Column (Trains) should see up to eight motor transport columns, when mobilized in 1941, Inf.Div. 716., was allocated no supply commander, and only one motor transport column.[18]

D-Day: around noon

Widerstandnesten WN 23 was located at North 49.308275 Degrees / West 00.409888 Degrees and in June 1944, for targeting purposes, at: LZ1 vT MR Grid 003823 (Ref. GSGS 4250 1:50K: Creully Sheet 7E/5). The (WN) - Resistance Nest at the Château-de-Tailleville (de la colonie) was a unique ‘platoon-sized’ position, incorporating standard concrete (Verstärkt Feltmessig: Vf Type 2) gun casemates, with well-sited observation and crewed fighting positions. Located to dominate the roads entering the town, the position did dispose of an integrated network of trenches and tunnels, partially surrounded by a stone wall, permitting unobserved movement under cover.[21] [22]

Hauptmann Deptolla, Kommandeur Bataillon II./ 736., defending with only his Stabs-züg (Lt Heinz Rix, Karl Rub), and the Stabs-kompanie, perhaps undermanned, would cause problems all day for the Canadians. Planning to fight with his west flank secured by Kompanie 8.(schwere)/ II 736., at Les Ruines Saint-Ursin, off to the west, his right flank by Kompanie 12.(schwere)/ Bataillon III./736., to the east, in front of Douvres (WN 23a), and drawing ‘artillery’ support from Kompanie 3.(Flak)/Pz.Jg.-Abt.716., to his immediate west, he found himself alone. Having been located and well targeted, in 3rd Canadian Infantry Division planning, the fight for WN 23 was first impacted by Naval Counter Battery Gun Fire from the destroyer HMS Kempenfelt (R03) (at 06h19m), she shelling Kompanie 3 (Flak)./Pz.Jg.-Abt.716., sited in an open field emplacement, at Tailleville-la-Tomblette.[23] [24] This followed later in the morning by RAF Medium (Day) Bombers at 07h55 (BST).[25]

WN 23 was overcome by the efforts of 'C' Company, The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment (O.C. Major Daughney), landing at Saint Aubin-sur-Mer at 09h45. When able to bypass the fight for WN 27, intending to make a quick run to Tailleville, ‘C’ Company, The North Shore Regiment, was attached a tank troop from 'C' Squadron, The Fort Garry Horse. First reporting contact around noon, moving South, at MR Grid 004823, enemy mortars slowed the advance, the ‘C’ Sqn tanks moved-up, giving the necessary fire and moral support to get the North Shores up to the Chateau.[26] [27] [28] Getting into the position at 13h52, a Sherman tank penetrated the walls, fronting the Chateau grounds, and shot up the trenches and their defenders with high explosive shells, at point blank range.[29] After six hours of fighting, the remnants of the garrison surrendering, ‘C’ Company ‘secured’ Tailleville, at 17h30. 'D' Company was moved up to Tailleville on the east flank, as 'A' Company had previously sealed off the southern side of the position.[30] [31]

Having consolidated on the position, ‘C’ Company captured 4 Officers and 57 other prisoners, this reported at 20h10. It continued to root in the underground workings of the Château; around 23h00 producing more prisoners, including two wounded monocled officers.[32] At 23h30 all of 'C' Squadron, The Fort Garry Horse, moved into position with the North Shores, the squadron laagered and passed an uncomfortable night constantly on the alert in expectation of a German counterattack.[33] The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment lost 34 killed and 90 wounded in the fight for WN 23.[34] [35]

German Crew Served Weapons at Châteaux de Tailleville.[36] [37]

Regelbau TypeRingstand (Casement)Weapon / GunDetails
OB Gr.West Vf600 Kampfwagenkanone: Open Pedestal50mm KwK 39 L/60At Northwest Corner
Heer Vf Rs58c - 80 cm ThickOpen Tobrouk x2Heavy MG - MG34 CrewedAt North and East Corners
OB Gr.W Type 34 VfRs69 Tobrouk s.Granatwerfer8.14 cm Heavy MortarGruppen Crew and Observer
Weapon Crew Posts (Open)Reinforced Vf (Verstärkt Feldmäßig) Light MGs - Maschinengewehr Steel Ring MG Mounts

D-Day: at dusk

Le Regiment de la Chaudiere (8 CIB Reserve), at Bernières-sur-Mer, by 10h30, forming up with 'A' Squadron, The Fort Garry Horse moved South towards Beny-sur-Mer, encountering significant resistance, in exiting the town. While its Company ‘A’ (OC Major H. Lapointe), dealt with two very capable 8.8 cm Pak 43/41, in an open field emplacement, of Kompanie 2.(StuG) /Pz.Jg-Abt 716., sited just southwest of Berniers (on Les Perrucques), its ‘B' Company remained focused on its run to Beny-sur-Mer and WN28a.[38] [39] [40] [41] Having moved up with little difficulty, Company ‘B' Le Regiment de la Chaudiere (OC J.F. L’Esperance), ‘captured’ WN 28a by mid-afternoon, taking 54 prisoners.[42] [43] At the end of the day, The Fort Garry Horse were ordered back for rest and vehicle replenishment in Beny-sur-Mer, it was not until 01h00 07.06 that 'B' squadron made it back, while ‘C’ Squadron remained in Tailleville. The Fort Garry Horse suffered 13 killed and 12 wounded casualties on D-Day.[44]

Widerstandnesten WN 28a was located West of Beny-sur-Mer (Moulineaux), at North 49.293 Degrees / West 00.451 Degrees and in June 1944, for targeting purposes, at: French Lambert MR Grid LZ1 vT 972808 (Ref. GSGS 4250 1:50K: Creully Sheet 7E/5). The (WN) - Resistance Nest, its south approach protected by La Mue, was a doctrinally laid-out four gun German ‘batterie-sized’ tactical position, with perimeter crewed weapon fighting positions, and ammunition storage points. The four 100mm le.F.H14/19(t) Czech guns, with an effective range of 9,970m range, were disposed in Type 1 ‘Open’ Field Gun Earth Fa Emplacements (Geschutzestellungen), incorporating only one Type Heer 669 ‘Gun’ (Verstärkt Feltmessig: Vf Type 2) concrete casement.[45] [46] Located to support the landing defences at Courseulles-sur-Mer, Berniers-sur-Mer, and St Aubin-sur-Mer, the position did dispose of light crew-served weapons, in supporting trenches on its South flank.[47]

While effectively manned by Batterie 7. (Resi). / Bataillon II. / 1716 AR, commanded by Hauptmann Wilhelm Franke, his contribution to the fights on the JUNO beaches did not go as planned. Its intended effect, on the five Mike and Nan beaches was effectively neutralized by Naval Counter Battery Gun Fire, specifically from the cruiser HMS Diadem (84) at 05h52, and then furthered bombed by RAF Medium / Fighter Bombers at 08h15.[48] There was not much fight left when, approaching from the northeast, it was overcome Le Regiment de la Chaudiere.[49]

In Beny-sur-Mer there remains two reminders of D-Day and June 1944.

Population

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Répertoire national des élus: les maires. data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 2 December 2020. fr.
  2. https://www.insee.fr/fr/metadonnees/cog/commune/COM14062-beny-sur-mer Commune de Bény-sur-Mer (14062)
  3. https://www.villorama.com/ville/beny-sur-mer/villes-proches.html Quelques villes proches de Bény-sur-Mer
  4. Book: Beevor, Antony . Antony Beevor . D-Day: The Battle for Normandy . 2009 . Viking . New York; Toronto . 978-0-670-02119-2 . 133 . registration .
  5. Steiger, Capt. A.G., Report No. 41 - Historical Section (G.S.) Army Headquarters. The German Defences in the Courseulles-St.Aubin Area of the Normandy Coast: Information from German Sources. 716 Inf Div 6 Jun 44 Initial Situation. Appendix C: 716 Inf Div Initial Situation / Appendix D: Enlarged Trace. Dated 20 Jul 51
  6. The Battle of the 716th Infantry Division in Normandy, Wilhelm Richter, 1947. US Army Europe MS #B-621 / Guide to Foreign Military Studies: NARA M1035. Pg13. Para5. See: https://www.fold3.com/image/153801525 Accessed 03.08.2K16
  7. Steiger, Capt. A.G., Report No. 41 - Historical Section (G.S.) Army Headquarters. The German Defences in the Courseulles-St.Aubin Area of the Normandy Coast: Information from German Sources. 716 Inf Div 6 Jun 44 Initial Situation. Page 12./Para 22. Dated 20 Jul 51
  8. Steiger, Capt. A.G., Report No. 50 - Historical Section (G.S.) Army Headquarters. The Campaign in North-West Europe: Information from German Sources. Part II: Invasion and Battle of Normandy (6 Jun - 22 Aug 44). Page 15./Para 26. (Richter Narrative: The Battle of 716 Inf Div In Normandy). Dated 14 Oct 52
  9. Capt. A.G. Steiger, Report No. 50 - Historical Section (G.S.) Army Headquarters, The Campaign in North-West Europe: Information from German Sources. Part II: Invasion and Battle Of Normandy (6 Jun - 22 Aug 44). Dated 14 Oct 52
  10. Panzerjäger Abteilung (Pak Battallions) Normandy, Combat Mission Battle for Normandy. Post SolSolari, April 22, 2012. See: http://community.battlefront.com/topic/102934-panzerj%C3%A4ger-abteilung-pak-battallions-normandy/ Accessed 07.02.2K18
  11. Le Panzerjager-Abteilung Des Infanterie Divisionen En Normandie: Panzerjäger-Abteilung 716.. Le blog de unionjacktrooper, 20 août 2013. See : http://fe6bdb792f003489eae726e14af65dd2.over-blog.com/tag/histoire/3 Accessed 07.02.2K18
  12. The Battle of the 716th Infantry Division in Normandy, Wilhelm Richter, 1947. US Army Europe MS #B-621 / Guide to Foreign Military Studies: NARA M1035. Pg21.SubPara_d. See: https://www.fold3.com/image/153801770 Accessed 03.08.2K16
  13. Steiger, Capt. A.G., Report No. 41 - Historical Section (G.S.) Army Headquarters. The German Defences in the Courseulles-St.Aubin Area of the Normandy Coast: Information from German Sources. 716 Inf Div 6 Jun 44 Initial Situation. Appendix C: 716 Inf Div Initial Situation / Appendix D: Enlarged Trace. Dated 20 Jul 51
  14. Anderson Richard C., Cracking Hitler's Atlantic Wall: The 1st Assault Brigade Royal Engineers on D-Day, Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, PA., 2010,, Chapter 4 German Planning and Preparation: The German Defences - Page 74. Accessed 18.05.2016
  15. Steiger, Capt. A.G., Report No. 41 - Historical Section (G.S.) Army Headquarters. The German Defences in the Courseulles-St.Aubin Area of the Normandy Coast: Information from German Sources. 716 Inf Div 6 Jun 44 Initial Situation. Appendix C: 716 Inf Div Initial Situation / Appendix D: Enlarged Trace. Dated 20 Jul 51
  16. Steiger, Capt. A.G., Report No. 41 - Historical Section (G.S.) Army Headquarters. The German Defences in the Courseulles-St.Aubin Area of the Normandy Coast: Information from German Sources. 716 Inf Div 6 Jun 44 Initial Situation. Appendix C: 716 Inf Div Initial Situation / Appendix D: Enlarged Trace. Dated 20 Jul 51
  17. feldgrau.net, Feldgrau.com, Static (ersatz?) divisions, Post by MarkD., 21.04.2006, 10:41 pm. See: https://www.feldgrau.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=19327 Accessed 23.02.2K18
  18. Technical Manual – Handbook on German Military Forces (March 1945), Chapter 2: Organization of the Field Forces. See: https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/Germany/HB/HB-2.html Accessed 24.02.2K18
  19. Die neue Gedenk-tafel - das Infomationsportal, md11 (Administrator / Dauerschreiber), Post: Treß,Otto – Uffz, 28. Februar 2007, 22:52, See: http://www.gedenk-tafel.de/forum/index.php?topic=1858.10 Accessed 23.02.2K18
  20. Lexikon-Der-Wehrmacht, Oberkommando des Heeres. See: http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Gliederungen/Oberkommando/OKH.htm Accessed 22.02.2K18
  21. Marc Laurenceau, D-Day Overlord: Encyclopédie du débarquement et de la bataille de Normandie See: http://www.dday-overlord.com/debarquement-normandie/mur-de-atlantique/points-appui/wn-23 Accessed 24.05.2016
  22. The North Shore Regiment, WWII: Tailleville Attacked. See: http://www.gnb.ca/0007/Heritage/Regiment/frameset.htm Accessed 29.01.2018
  23. Anderson Richard C., Cracking Hitler's Atlantic Wall: The 1st Assault Brigade Royal Engineers on D-Day, Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, PA., 2010,, Chapter 4 German Planning and Preparation: The German Defences - Page 74. Accessed 18.05.2016
  24. The Battle of the 716th Infantry Division in Normandy, Wilhelm Richter, 1947. US Army Europe MS #B-621 / Guide to Foreign Military Studies: NARA M1035. Pg21.SubPara_d. See: https://www.fold3.com/image/153801770 Accessed 03.08.2K16
  25. Capt. A.G. Steiger, Report No. 50 - Historical Section (G.S.) Army Headquarters. The Campaign in North-West Europe: Information from German Sources, Part II: Invasion and Battle of Normandy (6 Jun-22 Aug 44), Page16.Para 28. (Richter). Dated 14 Oct 52
  26. JUNO Beach: The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment. See: http://www.junobeach.info/juno-4-2.htm Accessed 31.01.2K18
  27. JUNO Beach: The Fort Garry Horse. See: http://www.junobeach.info/juno-4-7.htm Accessed 31.01.2K18
  28. Lt. R.H. Roy, Report No. 54 - Historical Section (G.S.) Army Headquarters. Canadian Participation in the Operations in North-West Europe, 1944. Part 1: The Assault and subsequent operations of 3 Cdn Inf Div. Appendix I Map Showing: ‘Eastern Flank of the Normandy Bridgehead German Defences 6 June 1944’. Dated 3 Dec 45. Accessed 26.07.2K16
  29. JUNO Beach: The Fort Garry Horse. See: http://www.junobeach.info/juno-4-7.htm Accessed 31.01.2K18
  30. War Diary: The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment, Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer: Page 2, 6 Jun 44. See: http://lmharchive.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/North-Shore-New-Brunswick-Regiment.pdf Accessed 29.01.2018
  31. JUNO Beach: The Fort Garry Horse. See: http://www.junobeach.info/juno-4-7.htm Accessed 31.01.2K18
  32. The North Shore Regiment, WWII: Tailleville Attacked. See: http://www.gnb.ca/0007/Heritage/Regiment/frameset.htm Accessed 29.01.2018
  33. JUNO Beach: The Fort Garry Horse. See: http://www.junobeach.info/juno-4-7.htm Accessed 31.01.2K18
  34. DDay Overlord, Tailleville en 1944 – Calvados – Bataille de Normandie. See: http://www.dday-overlord.com/es/tailleville-en-1944-calvados-les-villes-et-les-villages-de-normandie-pendant-les-combats-de-la-bataille-de-normandie/ Accessed 29.01.2018
  35. War Diary: The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment, Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer: 6 Jun 44. See: http://lmharchive.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/North-Shore-New-Brunswick-Regiment.pdf Accessed 29.01.2018
  36. Richard Drew, Atlantikwall: Wn23 Tailleville, Page updated: April 13, 2015 See: http://www.atlantikwall.co.uk/atlantikwall/fn_gr_wn23_tailleville.php Accessed 24.05.16
  37. Anderson Richard C., Cracking Hitler's Atlantic Wall: The 1st Assault Brigade Royal Engineers on D-Day, Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, PA., 2010,, Chapter 4 German Planning and Preparation: The German Defences - Page 74. Accessed 18.05.2016
  38. JUNO Beach: Le Regiment de la Chaudiere. See: http://www.junobeach.info/juno-4-3.htm Accessed 31.01.2K18
  39. Lt. R.H. Roy, Report No. 54 - Historical Section (G.S.) Army Headquarters. Canadian Participation in the Operations in North-West Europe, 1944. Part 1: The Assault and subsequent operations of 3 Cdn Inf Div. Appendix I Map Showing: ‘Eastern Flank of the Normandy Bridgehead German Defences 6 June 1944’. Dated 3 Dec 45. Accessed 26.07.2K16
  40. Battlefront.com Community. Panzerjäger Abteilung Battallions Normandy. Post: JonS - April 22, 2012. See: http://community.battlefront.com/topic/102934-panzerj%C3%A4ger-abteilung-pak-battallions-normandy/ Posted April 22, 2012
  41. War Diary: Le Regiment de la Chaudiere, Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer: Page 2, 6 Jun 44. See: http://lmharchive.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Regiment-de-la-Chaudiere.pdf Accessed 31.01.2018
  42. War Diary: Le Regiment de la Chaudiere, Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer: Page 2, 6 Jun 44. See: http://lmharchive.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Regiment-de-la-Chaudiere.pdf Accessed 31.01.2018
  43. JUNO Beach: Le Regiment de la Chaudiere. See: http://www.junobeach.info/juno-4-3.htm Accessed 31.01.2K18
  44. JUNO Beach: The Fort Garry Horse. See: http://www.junobeach.info/juno-4-7.htm Accessed 31.01.2K18
  45. Richard Drew, Atlantikwall: WW2 Defences from 1941-1944, France: AOK 7 Normandie. See: http://www.atlantikwall.co.uk/oldsite/atlantikwall/Courseulles/Wn28a-Benys-sur-Mer-01/html/page01.htm Accessed 18.05.2016
  46. Anderson Richard C., Cracking Hitler's Atlantic Wall: The 1st Assault Brigade Royal Engineers on D-Day, Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, PA., 2010,, Chapter 4 German Planning and Preparation: The German Defences - Page 73. Accessed 18.05.2016
  47. Marc Laurenceau, D-Day Overlord: Encyclopédie du débarquement et de la bataille de Normandie See: http://www.dday-overlord.com/debarquement-normandie/mur-de-atlantique/points-appui/wn-23 Accessed 24.05.2016
  48. Lt. R.H. Roy, Report No. 54 - Historical Section (G.S.) Army Headquarters. Canadian Participation in the Operations in North-West Europe, 1944. Part 1: The Assault and subsequent operations of 3 Cdn Inf Div. Appendix I Map Showing: ‘Eastern Flank of the Normandy Bridgehead German Defences 6 June 1944’. Dated 3 Dec 45. Accessed 26.07.2K16
  49. War Diary: Le Regiment de la Chaudiere, Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer: Page 2, 6 Jun 44. See: http://lmharchive.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Regiment-de-la-Chaudiere.pdf Accessed 29.01.2018
  50. Veterans Affairs Canada, Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery. See: http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/memorials/overseas/second-world-war/france/beny Accessed 01.02.2K18
  51. Paul Freeman, Abandoned, Forgotten and Little Known Airfields in Europe: Bény-sur-Mer (B4) See: http://www.forgottenairfields.com/france/lower-normandy/calvados/beny-sur-mer-b-4-s1097.html Accessed 01.02.2K18