Billy (Calvados)
The cities of Normandy during the 1944 battles
Liberation: August 15, 1944
Deployed units:
Hallamshire Battalion, 146th Infantry Brigade, 49th Infantry Div., 1st Canadian Army
7. Armee
History:
On August 14, 1944, the Anglo-Canadians launched Operation Tractable, which aims to close the encircling pocket trapping the Germans on their way to Falaise. On August 15, the Hallamshire Battalion of the 146th Infantry Brigade (belonging to the 49th Infantry Division West Riding of the 1st Canadian Army) is stationed south of the Plain of Caen, in front of the communes of Airan and Billy, in the Auge district. This regiment, positioned west of the Tractable operation, is commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Trevor Hart Dyke.
On the same day, Hart-Lyke received orders to seize these two localities. At first, the British seize Billy without fighting: the town is completely abandoned by the adversary. In the aftermath, the Hallamshire Battalion progresses to Airan but can not get hold of it until the next day.
Billy maps:
