Auberville (Calvados)
The cities of Normandy during the 1944 battles
Liberation: August 22nd, 1944
Deployed units:
1er groupement indépendant belge “Brigade Piron”, 6th Airborne Division
Grenadier-Regiment 744, 711. Infanterie-Division
History:
At the time of the Normandy landings, the commune of Auberville in Calvados is occupied by the 4th company of the Grenadier-Regiment 744 (711. Infanterie-Division).
On 17 August 1944, more than two months after D-Day, the British launched Operation Paddle in the direction of the Seine.
The Belgians of the 1st independent group, attached to the 6th British Airborne Division, advance towards the Seine as part of Operation Paddle. The first independent motorized company of the “brigade piron” reached the town of Auberville on August 21, 1944, defended by elements of the 711th German infantry division.
The first Belgian company is unable to push the enemy line of defense. In the evening, Colonel Piron ordered the 3rd motorized company to deploy to support the main action. For several hours, the Belgian and British artillerymen multiplied the shots of destruction to break the front. Under pressure, the Germans retreated into the night and the Piron brigade managed to seize Auberville at dawn on 22 August.
Auberville maps:
