In 2014, with the research in its infancy I made it to St Contest and the 59th Memorial in the square. On that occasion I left believing that the impressive property located next to the Church was the focus of the fighting in which my Grandfather with the 5th South Staffords was engaged over the 8th and 9th July 1944.
Whilst La Grande Ferme, the aforementioned property, was indeed occupied and fought over, the objective of the 5th South Staffs was located about a kilometer away. It was only on our most recent visit that Owen and I determined to finally find the elusive Galmanche memorial come what may.
After the usual circuitous journeying along the narrowest of country lanes we spied two flag poles. Could it be that the side by side Tricolour and Union Flag marked the much sought after spot. Indeed it did and I was finally able to pay my respects at a spot that lay within 100 yards of where my Grandfather had fought 73 years earlier. Unusually I was well prepared and had with me a Royal British Legion with me for the occasion.
Over the past few years it had been my understanding that the only remaining evidence of the Chateau of Galmanche was now fashioned into the cross design memorial to the 59th that stands in St. Contest. However, having finally located this corner of Calvados we decided to venture further down the track, at the end of which the rebuilt property was visible.
I have to say that I was thrilled to see that on either side of the new building their remained a couple of sections of the outer walls of the original Chateau and what's more, these walls were suitably peppered with bullet holes as well as bearing the scars of artillery attention.
Just to think that one of these pock marks could have originated from my Grandad's rifle...... assuming that he could shoot straight!
The approach to the original Chateau from the memorial site.
The rebuilt property on the site of the original Chateau Galmanche.
It is notable that the new building has retained the spiraled wrought iron work on the gates that can been seen on the photograph of the pre-war Chateau.
The original Chateau de Galmanche.
The photographs below show a section of the outer wall of the original Chateau bearing the scars of the July fighting as the 59th tried to dislodge the SS from the fortified position of Galmanche.
Scarred exterior wall of the original Chateau.
One of Jim Heath's potshots?
Hello! Can you please contact me at Kateymishler@hotmail.com?
ReplyDeleteI’m doing research on the South Staffs particularly from June to August 1944.
Do you have a copy of Your Men at War by LB Duckworth? Hope to hear from you soon! Your site has been invaluable!
This has been so helpfull thankyou. My great uncle was envolved in the fighting here and died on the 8th July. He was part of the south Staffordshire reg, and is burried in the cemetry in Cambes en Plaine.
ReplyDeleteAmazing read My great uncle also was in the 5 south staffordshire regiment lance corporal Albert Dalby died 28th July 1944
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