Liberation of Chateau Martragny

Discussion in 'WW2 Battlefields Today' started by halohodge, Aug 14, 2012.

  1. halohodge

    halohodge Junior Member

    Can anyone give me any details of the liberation of the above chateau in Normandy on 7/8th June 1944, also the advanced landing strip in the adjacent field,any info would be appreciated.
    John
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Do you know what units were involved?
     
  3. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Welcome to the forum, John.

    Martragny is situated between Rucqueville and St Leger, and was in the 50th (Northumbrian) Division's area of operation, but specifically that of the 69th Infantry Brigade - 5th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment, & 6th and 7th Bns Green Howards.

    I cannot recall reading anything specific about this Chateau but will have a look for any references in my book collection and will post again if I find anything relevent.

    NB. The Canadians were not very far away to the left - east.

    Best,

    Steve.
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2021
  4. Smithy

    Smithy Junior Member

    Can anyone give me any details of the liberation of the above chateau in Normandy on 7/8th June 1944, also the advanced landing strip in the adjacent field,any info would be appreciated.
    John

    I camped at Chateau Martagny in 2009 for the 65th commemorations - great location and fantastic site if anyone is ever going over!

    Anyhow I don't think I can give a definitive answer to your the first question although it may have been the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards as they liberated the nearby Creully.

    Attached are a couple of pictures which I took in 2009 of the memorial near to the entrance where the landing strip was situated. Hopefully they will be of help.

    Scott
     

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  5. halohodge

    halohodge Junior Member

    Thanks for the info,I have stayed at the campsite`very good` look forward to more information. Any look on the landing ground, aircraft types,units etc,raids, the plaque shows a P47, where there other types also P51, also RAF aircraft and units.
     
  6. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello John,

    The 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards were part of the 8th Armoured Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, at this time. They landed with 69th Infantry Brigade on Gold Beach on D-Day; and it is this brigade that I mentioned in my earlier Message.

    I have no information on the 'Air' presence in the area.

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  7. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello John,

    A bit more information about Martragny...

    The 6th Bn Green Howards, with 5th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment following, - both 69th Infantry Brigade - moved on the axis Brecy to St Ledger on 7 June 1944; likely working in parallel with 4th/7th RDG. Their sister unit, 7th Bn Green Howards were further east. It is likely that the 6th Bn Green Howards were the first Infantry in the area.

    It looks like Martragny was Advanced Landing Ground B7: 'Martragny. 1200 metre long, 40 metre wide. Square Mesh Track.' and came into operation on the 20 June 1944. See link for 2nd TACTICAL AIR FORCE here: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/2-taf/28531-2nd-tactical-air-force.html

    Found this separate snippet as to the use of B7 for 25 June 1944 onwards for flying in bombs, kit and personnel, and possibly evacuating the wounded: A Chronological Diary of Events

    I trust that this is helpful.

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  8. halohodge

    halohodge Junior Member

    Many thanks for all your help, I think I have the info I need, I will be visiting the chateau again next year
     
  9. Steve Mac

    Steve Mac Very Senior Member

    Hello John,

    I realise that you haven't been on-line for approx. 1 year but I am hoping that you still look-in off-line...

    I have come across this site: http://www.ronaldv.nl/abandoned/airfields/FR/lowernormandy/calvados.html#sommervieu and whereas it doesn't mention 'Advanced Landing Ground B7: 'Martragny'' specifically, it does deal with the little known advanced landing grounds. I thought the person/people running the site may be a good source of information for you!

    Best,

    Steve.
     
  10. Ramiles

    Ramiles Researching 9th Lancers, 24th L and SRY

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