Falaise in Calvados, Normandy, France — Western Europe
Falaise sous la botte allemande
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Falaise under the German boot
Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025
1. Falaise sous la botte allemande / Falaise under the German boot Marker
French:
De l’Occupation à la Libération, Mémoires du Pays de Falaise
La France vaincue, la Wehrmacht occupe la moitié nord du pays. Le 17 juin 1940, les troupes allemandes entrent dans Falaise, réquisitionnent plusieurs demeures dont le château de la Fresnaye et installent la Kommandantur à l'Abbatiale. Les Falaisiens voient brutalement leur quotidien changer. Postes de TSF et armes doivent être déposés à la mairie; la presse locale L'Echo de Falaise passe sous contrôle de l'occupant; le cinéma diffuse les actualités allemandes en première partie de programme et projette même Le Juif Süss qui heureusement aura peu de succès. Au fil des mois, l'occupation se fait plus pesante et les actes de résistance se multiplient. Posséder un pigeon voyageur peut conduire au peloton d'exécution. Un habitant d'Ernes en subit les conséquences en août 1941. Son arrêt de mort est placardé sur les murs, pour l'exemple.
Comme partout en France, la répression allemande se durcit à partir de 1942. L'attentat d'Airan qui a provoqué la mort d'une trentaine de permissionnaires allemands entraîne représailles à Falaise. Des civils sont désormais requis chaque nuit pour surveiller les voies de chemin de fer. En 1943, le Service du Travail Obligatoire (STO) est instauré en France. Les jeunes Falaisiens qui n'y échappent pas partent travailler pour le Reich. La vie s'écoule ainsi jusqu'en juin 1944...
Il était environ 12h30 quand soudain, trois automitrailleuses sur pneus débouchent de la petite route de Louvagny et s'arrêtent devant nous. «Des Anglais» s'exclament monsieur Robiole. Un officier vêtu de noir, avec croix de fer sur la poitrine s'extrait de la tourelle. «Tais-toi» lui dit mon père, ce sont les «boches».
Michel Tesnière - habitant de Jort - 10 ans en 1940
Légendes
(Photo #1) Rationnement, files d'attente devant les magasins aux vitrines souvent vides marquent le quotidien sous l'Occupation.
(Photo #2) Louis Berrier est condamné à mort et fusillé après avoir été accusé d'utiliser un pigeon voyageur pour transmettre des renseignements en Grande-Bretagne.
From Occupation to Liberation, Memories of the Falaise Region
With France having been defeated, the Wehrmacht was occupying the northern half of the country. On June 17, 1940, German troops entered Falaise, commandeered several residences, including the Château de la Fresnaye, and set up the German military command in the Abbey. The inhabitants of Falaise experienced a dramatic change in their daily lives. Wireless sets and weapons were to be handed in at the town hall; the local newspaper, L'Echo de Falaise, was put under the control of the occupiers; the cinema screened German newsreels during the first part of the programme and even showed Jew Süss, which thankfully did not meet with great success. As the months went by, occupation became more oppressive and acts of resistance increased. Owning a carrier pigeon could lead you to the firing squad. One inhabitant from Ernes sadly experienced this in August 1941, and his death warrant was posted on walls as an example.
As was the case all over France, German repression became more rigorous from 1942 onwards. The attack at Airan, which caused the death of around thirty German officers who were on leave, resulted in reprisals being carried out in Falaise. Civilians were henceforth called upon every night to monitor railway lines. In 1943, the "Service du Travail Obligatoire" (STO, meaning Compulsory Work Order) was introduced in France. Young inhabitants of Falaise who also came under its provisions left to work for the Reich. Life thus went on until June 1944...
It was about 12.30 p.m. when all of a sudden, three wheeled armoured cars came out from the back road leading to Lavagny and stopped in front of us. "Brits", exclaimed Monsieur Robiole. A black-clad officer, wearing an Iron Cross on his chest climbed out of the turret. "Be quiet", my father told him, "they're the 'Jerries".
Michel Tesnière - inhabitant of Jort - 10 years of age in 1940
Captions
(Photo #1) Rationing, queues outside shops whose often empty windows marked daily life under the Occupation.
(Photo #2) Louis Berrier was sentenced to death and shot after having been accused of using a homing pigeon to relay information to Great Britain.
Erected by Mairie
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is June 17, 1940.
Location. 48° 53.572′ N, 0° 12.152′ W. Marker is in Falaise, Normandie (Normandy), in Calvados. It is at the intersection of Rue de la Porte du Château and Route D511, on the right when traveling west on Rue de la Porte du Château. The marker is located on the south side of the Château Guillaume-le-Conquérant near the parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Falaise, Normandie 14700, France. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: L’Opération Overlord / Operation Overlord (here, next to this marker); «Bombes et mitraille pleuvaient de toutes parts» / Bombs and bullets hailed down in every direction
Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025
2. Falaise under the German boot Marker (left side)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 18, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 122 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 19, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
