Visiting WW2 Battlefields - Page 3

sapper · 27-03-2008, 11:31 PM

There are many sites that never get visited, mainly because folk are not aware of what took place there.
Such a place was the Chateau de la Londe. Where the bloodiest battle in Normandy took place. Hand to hand fighting, with German tanks over running our positions.

Named at the time as "The Bloodiest Square Mile in Normandy" There should be a headstone around there somewhere, to commemorate the !st Suffolk's Regt, And where two of my comrade Sappers vanished off the face off the Earth. never knew what happened to them. Still dont
Sapper

Korps Steiner · 28-03-2008, 11:25 AM

Brian,

Where exactly is Chateau de la Londe ?? The Chateau rings a bell but i can't place it without looking through all my books.

I'll visit it in June when i'm in Normandy and pay my respects

regards

Paul

sapper · 28-03-2008, 12:18 PM

Hi Paul.
You have probably heard me say: !I have this upstairs somewhere" same thing mate! I have the original D Day, and D Plus 1 Battle maps upstairs....
I will see if I can give you directions.
It was one hell of a battle. Thankfully one that I missed. But my best mate was there He suffered battle exhaustion later, I always put it down to that battle experience.
I will see if I can find it. My late and very dear friend Dick Harris. (1st Suffolks) took part in that hand to hand stuff. He has been back there many times and met the family of the Chateau.
Sapper
Cheers sapper

Owen · 28-03-2008, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Korps Steiner

Where exactly is Chateau de la Londe ?? The Chateau rings a bell but i can't place it without looking through all my books.

Just north of Epron.
Google Earth Co-ords.
49°13'50.47"N 0°21'57.17"W

sapper · 28-03-2008, 12:53 PM

Cheers Owen.
I just found these old maps... a bit frail! The Chateau de la londe lies in between a triangle Le Bieville.....Epron....and Le Mesnil...
In a straight line between La Bijude and Le Landel.The best way is to find the lane or road that leads to La Londe on the main road between Le Mesnil and Epron.
Sapper

Owen · 28-03-2008, 12:58 PM

This may help too.
La Londe en Normandie 1944

Also go north from Epron on the D7, turn left into Boulevard De Suffolk.
Look north, there is the Chateau.

sapper · 28-03-2008, 12:59 PM

Another place where we went into battle to the sounds of the Pipes (KOS

was Herouvillette. Looking down on Colombelles, and in the distance Ste Hororine la Chardonerette.
Fold me fragile old battle maps, and carefully put them away again.
Sapper

Korps Steiner · 28-03-2008, 01:25 PM

Thanks Brian and Owen i've got it now , we are stopping in La Breche so it is nearby and we'll definately visit ,

regards

Paul

4th wilts · 28-03-2008, 01:28 PM

my old mate told me he only fought hand to hand a few times,he told me he killed a so called hitler youth with his rifle butt,doesnot know where though.lee

sapper · 28-03-2008, 05:09 PM

Hand to hand battles are rare. Thank goodness.
Sapper

28-03-2008, 11:25 AM	#22 (permalink)
Korps Steiner Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: England / Estonia Posts: 69	Brian, Where exactly is Chateau de la Londe ?? The Chateau rings a bell but i can't place it without looking through all my books. I'll visit it in June when i'm in Normandy and pay my respects regards Paul __________________ Nikto ne Zabyt . Nichto ne Zabyto. Let no one forget . Let nothing be forgotten.

28-03-2008, 12:59 PM	#27 (permalink)
sapper WW2 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,438	Another place where we went into battle to the sounds of the Pipes (KOS was Herouvillette. Looking down on Colombelles, and in the distance Ste Hororine la Chardonerette. Fold me fragile old battle maps, and carefully put them away again. Sapper Last edited by sapper; 28-03-2008 at 01:04 PM.

28-03-2008, 01:25 PM	#28 (permalink)
Korps Steiner Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: England / Estonia Posts: 69	Thanks Brian and Owen i've got it now , we are stopping in La Breche so it is nearby and we'll definately visit , regards Paul __________________ Nikto ne Zabyt . Nichto ne Zabyto. Let no one forget . Let nothing be forgotten.

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27-03-2008, 11:31 PM	#21 (permalink)
sapper WW2 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,438	There are many sites that never get visited, mainly because folk are not aware of what took place there. Such a place was the Chateau de la Londe. Where the bloodiest battle in Normandy took place. Hand to hand fighting, with German tanks over running our positions. Named at the time as "The Bloodiest Square Mile in Normandy" There should be a headstone around there somewhere, to commemorate the !st Suffolk's Regt, And where two of my comrade Sappers vanished off the face off the Earth. never knew what happened to them. Still dont Sapper

28-03-2008, 12:18 PM	#23 (permalink)
sapper WW2 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,438	Hi Paul. You have probably heard me say: !I have this upstairs somewhere" same thing mate! I have the original D Day, and D Plus 1 Battle maps upstairs.... I will see if I can give you directions. It was one hell of a battle. Thankfully one that I missed. But my best mate was there He suffered battle exhaustion later, I always put it down to that battle experience. I will see if I can find it. My late and very dear friend Dick Harris. (1st Suffolks) took part in that hand to hand stuff. He has been back there many times and met the family of the Chateau. Sapper Cheers sapper

28-03-2008, 12:53 PM	#25 (permalink)
sapper WW2 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,438	Cheers Owen. I just found these old maps... a bit frail! The Chateau de la londe lies in between a triangle Le Bieville.....Epron....and Le Mesnil... In a straight line between La Bijude and Le Landel.The best way is to find the lane or road that leads to La Londe on the main road between Le Mesnil and Epron. Sapper

28-03-2008, 12:58 PM	#26 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 8,687	This may help too. La Londe en Normandie 1944 Also go north from Epron on the D7, turn left into Boulevard De Suffolk. Look north, there is the Chateau.

28-03-2008, 01:28 PM	#29 (permalink)
4th wilts Discharged Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: wessex Posts: 1,043	my old mate told me he only fought hand to hand a few times,he told me he killed a so called hitler youth with his rifle butt,doesnot know where though.lee

28-03-2008, 05:09 PM	#30 (permalink)
sapper WW2 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,438	Hand to hand battles are rare. Thank goodness. Sapper

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