Chambois, Orne
Norman keep
The Norman keep or Donjon was built in the 12th century. It is one of the rare surviving examples of a square keeps in Normandy.
Closure of the Falaise Pocket
The Battle of Chambois was the scene of some of the bitterest fighting during the Normandy campaign. In August 1944, the Falaise pocket (or Falaise gap) was closed when Canadian, Polish (1st Armoured Division (Polish 1 Dywizja Pancerna)) and US (90th Infantry Division formations sealed off the gap on 19/20 August 1944.
For two days, Poles and Americans defended the town against continuous assaults launched by overwhelming enemy forces (mostly remnants of the German 7th Army), taking thousands of prisoners. The battle ultimately was ended as Allied air support finally destroyed what was left of the German forces.
The Coudehard-Montormel Memorial on the neighbouring Hill 262, details the history of the battle and closure of the Falaise pocket.
See also
References
- ^ Téléchargement du fichier d'ensemble des populations légales en 2019, INSEE
- ^ Des villages de Cassini aux communes d'aujourd'hui: Commune data sheet Chambois, EHESS (in French).
- ^ Arrêté préfectoral 6 October 2016 (in French)
External links