The Musée de la Percée du Bocage
-
126
Comments
- Last updated: 22/10/2018
In hundreds of villages and towns across France can be found memorials and commemorative plaques to mark their liberation by Allied forces from June 1944. One such village is Le Plessis-Grimoult, which has a small memorial in the square, to pay tribute the men of 5th Battalion Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry and the 43rd Wessex Division, who liberated the village on 7th August 1944.
Some 12-miles to the east of Le Plessis-Grimoult, is the town of St Martin des Besaces, which goes one better, having created its own community museum, telling the history of its liberation on 30th July, during an attack known as ‘Operation Bluecoat’. It is hard to believe that the area, which today is so quiet and peaceful, was once the battleground for some of the hardest fighting to liberate France.
On 30th August 1944, the Normandy campaign was in its eighth week and progress by the Allies was going slowly, in the face of stiff resistance by German units, such as the 21st Panzer Division and the 9th and 10th SS Panzer Divisions, also. The Allies had yet to break through the German front line and begin to push them back, and so Operation Bluecoat was devised. The operation, involving the British 7th and 11th Armoured Division, 6th Guards Tank Brigade, 15th Scottish Division and 43rd Wessex Division, along with other units, under the aegis of XXX Corps and VIII Corps, would advance across a broad front, to push the Germans back.
It all sounded so very simple, but the reality was harsh and for over a week the fighting was fierce. The history of this week-long battle is told in the town museum of La Percee du Bocage, in St Martin des Besaces, which was established by Monsieur Jean Ménard. Housed in a purpose-built building, the museum is an exhibition of artefacts, photographs and dioramas to present a small, but no less important, part of the overall campaign, which is unique to the town.
Operation Bluecoat began early on the morning of 30th August and units from 15th Scottish Infantry Division and 11th Armoured Division were given the task of capturing the town of St Martin des Besaces. This was achieved that day and the people of the town are very rightly proud of the fact, as recognised and perpetuated by the museum.
Staffed by volunteers, the museum is incredibly rich in the range of its presentations and attracts visitors from across the area and school groups attend to utilise the resources. The displays are arranged in eight different exhibition areas to explain the fighting in and around the town, using photographs and audio descriptions to relate the impressions of the soldiers and civilians who witnessed, or were involved in, the events.
On entering the first part of the exhibition, the display gives a brief presentation of French Resistance and the dangers of being under German Occupation. Items here include arm bands, radio transmitters and documentation used to distribute information. Large photographs line the walls with captions to identify the soldiers who took part in the town’s liberation and mention something about them.
Although there are a few American items, this museum is about the British and the German units that fought here. One of the dioramas shows German defenders with a Panzerfaust anti-tank weapon taking cover in a ruined building. The manikins are life-sized and look like tailor’s dummies, but they serve the purpose, which is to display the uniforms and equipment. Concentrate on the weapons, equipment and other items and it is a very good exhibition. Suggested length of duration for a visit is at least one hour, but to really see everything will take two-hours.
The model diorama of the fighting around the town is an excellent centrepiece and the voice commentary explains events. Small spotlights inside the display illuminate the points which are being explained and this helps orientate visitors and put things into perspective. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit back in July this year and I will go back again, because I would like to read a bit more about the soldiers and study the maps in more detail. It is not that far from the bigger towns such as Vire and Caumont and it really is worth the detour to visit, because it expands on the whole Normandy campaign.
Like many French museums, the souvenir shop is well-stocked, not only with the usual books, models and DVDs relating to the history, there is also a small selection of reproduction items, including webbing and even German anti-tank Panzerfaust weapons. It also stocks some collectables, such as shell cases including ‘trench art’, which is interesting. The museum also hosts a Liberation Special Event, which includes re-enactors encampments, vehicles, demonstrations and even a collectors’ market. Details are listed on the website.
It is a remarkable museum to visit and adds significantly to the understanding of Operation Bluecoat and the important part it played in forming the Falaise Pocket, where the German army in Western France was destroyed. The website has all the details of opening times and this can be found at: www.laperceedubocage.fr.
126 Comments
that roulette <a href="https://gamblingcaso.com/">crazy poker games</a> cialis for sale online
Uhfdil
31 Jan 2023 at 08:24 PMviagra online order <a href="https://cilsedpill.com/">buy cialis 10mg online cheap</a> cialis super active
Bmmmgv
30 Jan 2023 at 01:00 PMhelp writing paper <a href="https://essayxwr.com/">essay writing</a> cost of stromectol
Cyfxay
28 Jan 2023 at 11:24 PMtrazodone pills <a href="https://suhagranep.com/">order sildenafil 100mg generic</a> aurogra 100mg pills
Jmtftv
28 Jan 2023 at 01:32 AMorder cefuroxime 250mg pill <a href="https://ecefuroxime.com/">order cefuroxime 500mg generic</a> methocarbamol over the counter
Rtuvob
26 Jan 2023 at 09:00 PMviagra 100mg over the counter <a href="https://vigaedpill.com/">viagra order online</a> cialis 10mg usa
Btsext
25 Jan 2023 at 08:46 PMzocor usa <a href="https://azocorbuy.com/">purchase zocor for sale</a> order generic finasteride 1mg
Fuluje
23 Jan 2023 at 04:07 AMonline casino real money no deposit <a href="https://plwinslotgames.online/">card games online</a> best online casino real money
Pfjsbu
20 Jan 2023 at 06:38 PMbuy ranitidine 300mg <a href="https://buymobicp.com/">meloxicam 7.5mg oral</a> celebrex usa
Oeniuq
20 Jan 2023 at 03:11 AMbuy sumatriptan 25mg online cheap <a href="https://hlevofloxacin.com/">levaquin for sale</a> brand dutasteride
Drfsqo
18 Jan 2023 at 10:14 PMmethotrexate 10mg generic <a href="https://methotrexate.life/">generic methotrexate 10mg</a> buy metoclopramide for sale
Zdmwys
16 Jan 2023 at 12:47 PMbuy cialis tablets <a href="https://edbstcls.com/">cost tadalafil 20mg</a> buy plavix 150mg sale
Zngkau
15 Jan 2023 at 08:11 AMbrand orlistat 120mg <a href="https://aorlistatd.com/">cost xenical 60mg</a> acyclovir 800mg price
Ywdacu
14 Jan 2023 at 06:23 PMbrand priligy 60mg <a href="https://asynthroid.pro/">purchase levothyroxine for sale</a> order synthroid pill
Klvhug
13 Jan 2023 at 01:50 PMbuy an essay paper <a href="https://bestcasimoney.com/">casino online</a> best online blackjack real money
Hgxxxq
09 Jan 2023 at 07:55 AMbuy prilosec pills <a href="https://slotacasinomn.com/">blackjack card game</a> real money casino online usa
Ajohec
07 Jan 2023 at 02:18 AMorder generic clozaril <a href="https://aipratropium.com/">buy generic combivent 100 mcg</a> buy decadron 0,5 mg without prescription
Kqaqpe
05 Jan 2023 at 09:24 AMamlodipine 10mg pills <a href="https://edytadal.online/">cost cialis 40mg</a> brand tadalafil
Qgbkkc
04 Jan 2023 at 06:18 PMglycomet pills <a href="https://edytadal.com/">order generic tadalafil 40mg</a> cialis 10mg us
Zxyyfy
03 Jan 2023 at 01:50 PMorder cialis 20mg online cheap <a href="https://abetnova.com/">order betnovate 20gm online</a> anafranil 50mg price
Zfwzmj
01 Jan 2023 at 09:41 PMcialis without a doctor prescription <a href="https://cialerec.com/">order tadalafil 5mg without prescription</a> viagra 200mg price
Rmlxil
31 Dec 2022 at 05:08 PMpurchase fluvoxamine pills <a href="https://aglipizide.com/">buy glucotrol without prescription</a> order glipizide 10mg generic
Ysqrxy
29 Dec 2022 at 01:14 AMcheap cialis tablets <a href="https://gefluoxetinep.com/">prozac 40mg sale</a> sildenafil 25mg for sale
Ijpcaf
25 Dec 2022 at 12:31 PMpurchase imdur generic <a href="https://getisosorbide.com/">buy isosorbide 40mg online cheap</a> buy micardis online cheap
Bmaihm
22 Dec 2022 at 10:37 AMorder prograf 5mg for sale <a href="https://buyrequi.com/">ropinirole pills</a> ursodiol 150mg without prescription
Hjfjje
21 Dec 2022 at 05:53 PMcatapres without prescription <a href="https://getclonidine.com/">clonidine usa</a> buy spiriva 9mcg
Sbulgd
18 Dec 2022 at 10:06 PMgeneric accutane 40mg <a href="https://getaccutx.com/">accutane canada</a> ivermectin 5ml
Ohyswm
16 Dec 2022 at 03:25 PMcialis 5mg generique <a href="https://sildefr.com/">viagra 50mg generique pas cher</a> acheter 50mg gГ©nГ©rique sildenafil en france
Yynjru
14 Dec 2022 at 11:14 PMorder ampicillin 250mg sale <a href="https://gpcephalexin.com/">order cephalexin 125mg without prescription</a> buy erythromycin 250mg online cheap
Araitv
05 Dec 2022 at 08:03 PMpurchase aldactone generic <a href="https://gvaltreks.com/">cheap valacyclovir 1000mg</a> diflucan order online
Vojepk
04 Dec 2022 at 12:29 PMorder avodart sale <a href="https://gnfloma.com/">buy flomax online</a> buy ondansetron 4mg generic
Eqaffp
03 Dec 2022 at 04:46 AMcheapest cialis online <a href="https://tadaledplls.com/">cialis 10mg over the counter</a> purchase toradol without prescription
Zmmjdy
26 Nov 2022 at 12:55 PMorder baclofen 25mg <a href="https://sildviagcl.com/">order viagra online cheap</a> sildenafil 200 mg
Txpbvg
24 Nov 2022 at 05:17 AMorder acyclovir 800mg generic <a href="https://ballopurin.com/">oral zyloprim 100mg</a> purchase zyloprim generic
Osrxgl
20 Nov 2022 at 11:14 AMpurchase misoprostol generic <a href="https://bcytopc.com/">cytotec pill</a> synthroid 100mcg oral
Vjfdxd
18 Nov 2022 at 12:09 PMclomid 100mg sale <a href="https://plclomit.com/">purchase clomid generic</a> lyrica 75mg usa
Fjzsxm
15 Nov 2022 at 02:40 PMlipitor 10mg sale <a href="https://edviagor.com/">viagra 150mg cheap</a> sildenafil 150mg ca
Zcyfoj
12 Nov 2022 at 05:22 AMbuy plaquenil 400mg <a href="https://glucop.com/">metformin 1000mg uk</a> ivermectin lotion cost
Npxgor
10 Nov 2022 at 10:17 PMprednisone 40mg usa <a href="https://prednisxon.com/">predisone with no presciption</a> buy amoxil 250mg generic
Dqgqpo
07 Nov 2022 at 08:00 AMtadalafil cheap <a href="https://ciatadpp.com/">tadalafil ca</a> buy generic provigil 100mg
Oxbhtw
05 Nov 2022 at 11:18 AMorder cialis 20mg pills <a href="https://silasvia.com/">buy viagra 50mg generic</a> viagra mail order us
Hpjcjx
03 Nov 2022 at 04:53 PMbuy remeron 30mg generic <a href="https://pameln.com/">order nortriptyline online cheap</a> pamelor without prescription
Ojfybv
31 Oct 2022 at 12:15 AMnitrofurantoin 100 mg pill <a href="https://fosamalp.com/">alendronate pills</a> buy ibuprofen online cheap
Zsjahi
29 Oct 2022 at 07:32 PMcarvedilol 6.25mg tablet <a href="https://elavipl.com/">elavil for sale</a> amitriptyline price
Aifbdp
28 Oct 2022 at 05:06 PMcialis black <a href="https://cstadalafil.com/">order tadalafil 5mg sale</a> cialis 5mg sale
Uyvgtj
20 Oct 2022 at 12:22 AMtrazodone over the counter <a href="https://sildenafilas.com/">buy generic sildenafil 150mg</a> buy sildenafil for sale
Efvxni
19 Oct 2022 at 12:48 AMorder fildena 50mg generic <a href="https://fildenatr.com/">oral sildenafil</a> purchase rhinocort online cheap
Kmrjac
16 Oct 2022 at 08:15 PMorder augmentin online cheap <a href="https://augmenpill.com/">order augmentin without prescription</a> bactrim 480mg over the counter
Zzymok
13 Oct 2022 at 12:24 PMbuy esomeprazole 40mg generic <a href="https://asumatriptan.com/">buy sumatriptan 50mg generic</a> sumatriptan uk
Xhzjan
04 Oct 2022 at 09:02 PMmethotrexate 10mg uk <a href="https://amethotrexate.com/">methotrexate 5mg brand</a> cozaar price
Dhkglp
02 Oct 2022 at 07:52 PMbuy motrin 600mg pill <a href="https://calcitriolc.com/">order rocaltrol 0.25mg generic</a> buy calcitriol without prescription
Trcwju
30 Sep 2022 at 08:32 AMoxybutynin 2.5mg without prescription <a href="https://nitrofurantoiny.com/">buy nitrofurantoin 100mg pills</a> order furadantin 100mg online cheap
Vmjnzp
29 Sep 2022 at 12:51 AMaltace ca <a href="https://carvedilolbuy.com/">coreg 6.25mg us</a> buy coreg 6.25mg
Zrpzez
27 Sep 2022 at 07:10 PMbuy irbesartan 300mg pills <a href="https://clobetasolbuy.com/">temovate order</a> pepcid 20mg without prescription
Qzwkyy
24 Sep 2022 at 11:28 AMtrileptal 300mg tablet <a href="https://alfuzosinx.com/">buy uroxatral generic</a> order crestor online
Qpstew
18 Sep 2022 at 06:45 AMzovirax brand <a href="https://buysacyclovir.com/">buy acyclovir pill</a> order aceon 8mg online
Cacygn
15 Sep 2022 at 01:51 PMorder azithromycin 500mg without prescription <a href="https://xpgabapentin.com/">order gabapentin 600mg pill</a> buy prednisolone 5mg sale
Visnil
10 Sep 2022 at 12:01 AMacetazolamide usa <a href="https://viasdf.com/">sildenafil overnight delivery</a> purchase singulair generic
Tgokwn
07 Sep 2022 at 07:01 AMhelp with my assignment <a href="https://oneedbestp.com/">can i buy ed pills over the counter</a> order tadalafil 10mg pill
Rvcpgc
02 Sep 2022 at 03:13 PMviagra 150mg for sale <a href="https://sildfored.com/">female viagra sildenafil</a> cialis 10mg drug
Vqfhdk
30 Aug 2022 at 01:28 PMzanaflex us <a href="https://xpranolol.com/">order inderal 10mg for sale</a> reglan over the counter
Gjxtjo
29 Aug 2022 at 08:29 AMcheap orlistat 60mg <a href="https://xbaclopll.com/">buy baclofen pills</a> baclofen 25mg over the counter
Lsggfg
28 Aug 2022 at 03:48 AMred dog casino <a href="https://slotscasgmxx.com/">free casino games no registration no download</a> cytotec price
Wvywpy
26 Aug 2022 at 10:30 PMindomethacin price <a href="https://indomethacins.com/">buy indocin 50mg</a> trimox 250mg without prescription
Itfrkk
18 Aug 2022 at 08:05 PMivermectin 12mg for people <a href="https://stromectoplls.com/">stromectol 3mg for sale</a> buy generic tretinoin
Wnnnto
16 Aug 2022 at 03:38 AMviagra tablets <a href="https://ctadalafilc.com/">cialis tablet</a> oral cialis
Xyekkq
14 Aug 2022 at 09:13 PMcheap metronidazole 400mg <a href="https://flaglp.com/">flagyl 200mg canada</a> buy glucophage 500mg sale
Yajxei
10 Aug 2022 at 07:15 PMfluconazole 200mg sale <a href="https://ciprotbs.com/">cipro 1000mg over the counter</a> order sildenafil 150mg generic
Xkaazp
06 Aug 2022 at 11:52 PMorder ondansetron 4mg online cheap <a href="https://aldactol.com/">buy generic spironolactone</a> finasteride medication
Gxzdal
05 Aug 2022 at 04:29 AMorder tadalafil 40mg pill <a href="https://sumatriptanl.com/">sumatriptan 25mg cost</a> order avodart pills
Yzspcq
02 Aug 2022 at 03:18 PMcheap esomeprazole <a href="https://tadalafilspl.com/">buy cialis 20mg sale</a> tadalafil pill
Paeffe
01 Aug 2022 at 08:20 AMbuy generic sildalis <a href="https://sildalispl.com/">sildalis for sale</a> oral losartan 50mg
Biezqe
31 Jul 2022 at 12:57 AMisotretinoin 40mg generic <a href="https://suhagrapls.com/">purchase sildenafil</a> sildenafil online
Ohmmkc
29 Jul 2022 at 01:33 PMbuy viagra 50mg online cheap <a href="https://cialiedfs.com/">purchase cialis pills</a> buy deltasone 5mg generic
Gydntz
28 Jul 2022 at 06:10 AMmethotrexate 5mg uk <a href="https://methotrexatey.com/">methotrexate 2.5mg generic</a> cost reglan 20mg
Srdzts
26 Jul 2022 at 10:24 PMcyclobenzaprine tablet <a href="https://ketorolacbuy.com/">cheap toradol 10mg</a> plavix 75mg oral
Kmgyoi
25 Jul 2022 at 02:59 PMezetimibe pills <a href="https://ezetimibels.com/">ezetimibe 10mg usa</a> domperidone 10mg brand
Bjpwpl
23 Jul 2022 at 10:43 PMovernight delivery for viagra <a href="https://edtadalp.com/">brand cialis 10mg</a> liquid cialis
Eqmvfv
22 Jul 2022 at 01:08 AMgeneric priligy 60mg <a href="https://diltiazemns.com/">purchase diltiazem online</a> buy allopurinol for sale
Mgzipy
20 Jul 2022 at 08:02 PMpurchase baricitinib pill - <a href="https://baricibd.com/">purchase baricitinib for sale</a> buy lisinopril 2.5mg online
Rfioun
18 Jul 2022 at 11:29 AMplaquenil generic - <a href="https://hydroxyne.com/">hydroxychloroquine usa</a> cenforce 100mg brand
Kvrelx
16 Jul 2022 at 01:31 PMneurontin buy online - <a href="https://gnlasik.com/">order generic lasix</a> ivermectin for humans
Hubcpd
14 Jul 2022 at 05:20 PMcost deltasone 20mg - <a href="https://isotretinoint.com/">buy isotretinoin 10mg for sale</a> prednisolone 5mg without prescription
Otignd
12 Jul 2022 at 11:21 PMwhere to buy otc ed pills - <a href="https://tadalafilsde.com/">tadalafil 10mg kaufen generika</a> viagra 200mg für männer
Szzaiq
11 Jul 2022 at 12:09 PMsildenafil 100mg over the counter - <a href="https://fildenapl.com/">buy fildena 50mg generic</a> sildenafil over counter
Zigwta
10 Jul 2022 at 03:30 AMcost metronidazole 200mg - <a href="https://augmepl.com/">augmentin online</a> cephalexin 500mg drug
Diccyi
08 Jul 2022 at 11:07 PMpropecia 1mg oral - <a href="https://ampicillinmd.com/">generic ampicillin</a> buy ciprofloxacin
Kliznh
07 Jul 2022 at 03:10 PMbuy zofran - <a href="https://simvastatinr.com/">cheap simvastatin</a> valacyclovir 500mg without prescription
Svkqgh
05 Jul 2022 at 01:37 AMbuy tadalafil 10mg pill - <a href="https://celecoxibr.com/">buy celecoxib without prescription</a> flomax 0.2mg price
Fhoiyc
02 Jul 2022 at 09:25 AMlevaquin 250mg cheap - <a href="https://levofloxacinr.com/">levofloxacin 500mg us</a> cialis 5mg over the counter
Eiycqy
30 Jun 2022 at 06:20 PMcost cozaar 50mg - <a href="https://losartann.com/">losartan 50mg cheap</a> oral phenergan
Fvbzie
28 Jun 2022 at 02:15 PMplavix without prescription - <a href="https://rclopidogrel.com/">clopidogrel 75mg over the counter</a> reglan over the counter
Vkpwsz
26 Jun 2022 at 09:12 PMorder cyclobenzaprine sale - <a href="https://rcyclobenzapri.com/">flexeril 15mg oral</a> inderal tablet
Plrfcz
25 Jun 2022 at 03:42 AMaccutane cost - <a href="https://rtetracycline.com/">purchase tetracycline generic</a> order tetracycline
Redhai
23 Jun 2022 at 09:46 AMmodafinil 200mg tablet - <a href="https://rpmodafinil.com/">provigil without prescription</a> rhinocort allergy spray
Yylglz
21 Jun 2022 at 06:16 PMviagra order online - <a href="https://rtadalafil.com/">purchase tadalafil generic</a> cialis 5mg cheap
Wapqws
20 Jun 2022 at 06:51 AMcenforce 100mg brand - <a href="https://xezetimibe.com/">ezetimibe cheap</a> order domperidone generic
Nnantr
18 Jun 2022 at 09:05 PMcost deltasone 10mg - <a href="https://prednisoneix.com/">prednisone 5 mg</a> buy amoxil 250mg generic
Dluwpo
15 Jun 2022 at 05:47 PMpurchase levothyroxine online - <a href="https://chloroquinedi.com/">order hydroxychloroquine 400mg online cheap</a> purchase plaquenil pill
Uywdas
12 Jun 2022 at 08:34 AMorder ventolin generic - <a href="https://essayslw.com/">best essay service</a> priligy 90mg cost
Lqsmid
10 Jun 2022 at 09:08 PM