Pont-l’Évêque (Calvados)
The cities of Normandy during the 1944 battles
At the foot of the ruins of the Saint-Michel church in the town centre of Pont-l’Évêque, the scene of the violent fighting on 23 August, paratroopers from the 6th Airborne Division cross the metal beam, a remnant of the eastern bridge over the Touques. Photo: IWM
- Liberation: 24 August 1944
- Deployed units:
5th Parachute Brigade, 6th Airborne Division
No. 48 (Royal Marine) Commando, 4th Special Service Brigade, 6th Airborne Division
1st independent Belgian group « Brigade Piron », 6th Airborne Division
Infanterie-Regiment 744, 711. Infanterie-Division
- History:
Before the launch of Operation Overlord, the village of Pont-l’Évêque was occupied by soldiers of the 711th Infantry Division, whose command post was located in Vauville.
On the evening of June 6, 1944, at 8:22 p.m., the village of Pont-l’Évêque was bombed by Allied aircraft. The aim was to slow the advance of German reinforcements toward the front line by destroying most of the crossing points, such as the bridges over the Touques River. Seventeen civilian casualties were reported, while 40 residents were injured. Seven German soldiers were also killed during this raid, which destroyed more than 60% of the town’s buildings.
More than two months later, on August 22, the 6th Airborne Division sought to capture Pont-l’Évêque, still held by German soldiers belonging to Infanterie-Regiment 744 (711. Infanterie-Division). A first reconnaissance of the road, carried out by motorized elements of the 1st Belgian Independent Group from Branville, reached the outskirts of Pont-l’Évêque: they were immediately attacked by the German defenders. The intelligence obtained by the Belgians confirmed that the capture of this village would not be achieved without a fight. The latter is located below the Touques valley, surrounded by hills occupied by artillery observers. In the afternoon, soldiers of No. 48 (Royal Marine) Commando (4th Special Service Brigade) approached the heights west of the town and sought to define the contours of the enemy position, also engaging in brief skirmishes against the German defenders.
General Gale then ordered Brigadier Nigel Poett, commanding the 5th Parachute Brigade, to capture the town and secure as many crossing points as possible over the Touques River. Initially planned for the evening of August 22, the offensive was ultimately postponed until the afternoon of August 23. The 13th Battalion Parachute Regiment was tasked with establishing a bridgehead on both banks, while the 12th Yorkshire Battalion Parachute Regiment assaulted the railway station sector.
The 13th Para Regiment began its assault shortly after the firing of British smoke shells. Crossing the first bridge over the Touques River, the British paratroopers received reinforcements from four Cromwell tanks belonging to the 6th Airborne Armored Recce Regiment and took up positions on either side of the church, pushing back the opposing forces. However, the Germans intensified their fire in this sector, destroying a Cromwell tank and preventing any further British advance. Meanwhile, Captain Baker, commanding A Company of the 12th Para Regiment, also carried out his assault. He managed to swim to the opposite bank of the Touques River, but, lacking reinforcements and facing overwhelming German forces, he was forced to withdraw near his starting point. The fighting and bombardments set the village ablaze, creating a gigantic blaze.
Faced with the failure of this offensive, Poett called a halt to the operations that evening and ordered his units to establish a firm defense for the night. 95 paratroopers were put out of action during this single day (56 for the 12th Para Regiment and 39 for the 13th Para Regiment). At dawn on August 24, a patrol from the 13th Para Regiment managed to cross the second bridge over the Touques, of which only a steel beam remained, and reached the eastern bank of Pont-l’Évêque without incident. Lieutenant Colonel Peter Luard, commanding the 13th Para Regiment, ordered his men to infiltrate via this route and secure the bridgehead. The Germans nevertheless managed to contain the British advance and deny access to the other districts of the commune, renewing counterattacks. In the early afternoon, fires resumed in Pont-l’Évêque, including behind the British lines, and threatened to isolate the paratroopers: Poett ordered his reserve, the 7th Para Regiment, to intervene to reverse the balance of power and allow the 13th Para to reorganize. This tactic proved successful: the Germans withdrew along a new defensive line between Saint-André-d’Hébertot and Saint-Benoît-d’Hébertot, abandoning the smoking ruins to their adversary. They lost 127 soldiers in these furious days of fighting. In total, 30 Pontépiscopiens were killed during the bombings and fighting of the liberation.
Pont-l’Évêque map:
Back to the Normandy cities in 1944