Falaise in Calvados, Normandy, France — Western Europe
«Bombes et mitraille pleuvaient de toutes parts»
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Bombs and bullets hailed down in every direction
Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025
1. «Bombes et mitraille pleuvaient de toutes parts» / Bombs and bullets hailed down in every direction
De l’Occupation à la Libération, Mémoires du Pays de Falaise
«Bombes et mitraille pleuvaient de toutes parts»
Extrait d'une lettre de Françoise Châtelain, habitante de Falaise, juin 1944
Le 6 juin 1944, les Alliés débarquent sur les plages de Normandie. Cette bataille, les deux adversaires l'attendent depuis des semaines. Si les Allemands comptent sur le Mur de l'Atlantique et sur leur réserve de blindés, les Alliés, quant à eux, disposent de solides atouts: l'effet de surprise, du matériel en abondance et surtout, la suprématie aérienne absolue.
Mais le débarquement n'est qu'une première étape. Eisenhower le sait: tout va dépendre de la capacité des Allemands à contre-attaquer. Le plan allié consiste donc à bombarder les voies de communication et les nœuds routiers dans un rayon de 250 km à partir des plages pour empêcher les blindés ennemis de remonter vers la côte.
La bataille de Normandie commence. A l'ouest, les Américains prennent Cherbourg puis, après s'être enlisés plusieurs semaines dans le bocage, parviennent à percer vers le sud, fin juillet.
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La libération de Falaise aussi se fait attendre. Prévue pour le 8 juin, la ville sera libérée le 16 août. Dès le 7 juin, elle sera victime de bombardements alliés qui se répèteront le 10, le 12, le 14 juin, faisant de gros dégâts.
Légendes
(Photo #1) Secteur Omaha, 6 juin 1944, deuxième vague d'assaut américaine.
(Photo #2) Gare de Caen, rive droite de l'Orne, libérée le 19 juillet 1944.
(Photo #3) Fin juin 1944 lors de l’opération alliée Epsom, la defense allemande notamment de la 12e SS-Panzerdivision ou Hitlerjugend contribue au piétinnement britannique devant Caen.
(Photo #4) La "guerre des haies" dans le bocage normand est un veritable enfer pour les Alliés.
From Occupation to Liberation, Memories of the Falaise Region
"Bombs and bullets hailed down in every direction"
Excerpt from a letter written by an inhabitant of Falaise, Françoise Châtelain, June 1944
On June 6, 1944, the Allies landed on the beaches of Normandy. Both opponents had been awaiting this battle for weeks.
Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025
2. The view of the marker along the street
But the D-Day Landings were a mere first stage. Eisenhower was aware of this: it was all going to depend on the Germans' ability to counterattack. The allied plan therefore consisted in bombing communication routes and crossroads within a 250-km radius (155 miles), starting from the beaches to prevent enemy tanks from making their way up the coast.
The Battle of Normandy began. To the west, the Americans gained control of Cherbourg. Then, after having got bogged down several weeks in the bocage countryside, they achieved a southward breakthrough by the end of July. To the east, British and Canadian forces were not making any headway outside Caen. Defended by powerful German armoured divisions, the town held out until July 9th for its left bank. As for the right bank, it was only liberated on the 19th.
The liberation of Falaise was also a long time coming. Scheduled to take place on June 8th, the town was liberated on August 16th. As from June 7th, it was the victim of allied bombings which were to be repeated on June 10th, 12th, 14th and caused major damage.
Captions
(Photo #1) Omaha Beach sector, June 6, 1944, second assault wave led by the Americans.
(Photo #2) Caen Railway Station, right bank of the Orne River, liberated on July 19, 1944.
(Photo #3) End of June 1944 during the allied Epsom Operation, the German defense, notably the 12th SS Panzer Division Hitlerjugend, contributed to stalling the British outside Caen.
(Photo #4) The "hedge war" waged in the Normandy bocage countryside was absolute hell for the Allied forces.
Erected by Mairie de Pont-d’Ouilly, Potigny, Ville de Falaise, Pays de Falaise, Conseil Général du Calvados, Région Basse-Normandie.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1944.
Location. 48° 53.579′ N, 0° 12.142′ 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: Objectif Falaise / Objective Falaise (a few steps from this marker); L’Opération Overlord / Operation Overlord (a few steps from this marker); La Basse Cour / The Lower Yard (a few steps from this marker); Le champ de bataille de Falaise / The Battlefield at Falaise (a few steps from this marker); Falaise sous la botte allemande / Falaise under the German boot (a few steps from this marker); La Chapelle Castrale / The Castel Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); L’apparition des armes à feu / Firearms are introduced (within shouting distance of this marker); Les Graffiti / Graffiti (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Falaise.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 19, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 99 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 19, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
