Falaise in Calvados, Normandy, France — Western Europe
Ce 17 août, les Canadiens
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On August 17, Canadian Forces
Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025
1. Ce 17 août, les Canadiens / On August 17, Canadian Forces Marker
De l’Occupation à la Libération, Mémoires du Pays de Falaise
«Ce 17 août, les Canadiens nous ont demandé de quitter La Hoguette».
Claude et Jean Viale sont réfugiés à Falaise. Ils se souviennent de l'entrée des Canadiens dans la ville le 17 août 1944.
«Ce 17 août, les Canadiens nous ont demandé de quitter La Hoguette, au sud de Falaise, où nous étions depuis juin avec nos parents et nos quatre frères et sœurs, et de remonter à Falaise. Vers 16 h, nous étions quelques 350 Falaisiens dans l'église Trinité, l'un des endroits encore intacts.
Une heure plus tard, nous sommes montés dans leurs chenillettes, qui devaient nous transférer à Caen. On a tout juste fait 200 mètres. On s'est fait tirer dessus par les Allemands. Plusieurs Canadiens ont été tués. On a aussitôt fait demitour.»
Légendes
(Photo #1) 17 août 1944, à Falaise, évacuation de civils sur engins à chenilles par les troupes canadiennes.
(Photo #2) L'église de la Trinité, lieu d'accueil de réfugiés.
(Photo #3) Place Fontaine Borne. Tombes provisoires
this page online
From Occupation to Liberation, Memories of the Falaise Region
"On August 17, the Canadians asked us to leave La Hoguette".
Claude and Jean Viale were refugees in Falaise. They remember Canadian forces entering the town on August 17, 1944.
"That August 17th, Canadian forces asked us to leave La Hoguette, south of Falaise, where we had been staying with our parents and four brothers and sisters since June, and to head back up to Falaise. Around 4 p.m., we were some 350 inhabitants from Falaise waiting inside the Church of the Trinity, one of the few places left unscathed.
One hour later, we climbed on board their tracked vehicles, which were supposed to transfer us to Caen. We barely advanced 600 feet. We were fired upon by the Germans. Several Canadians were killed. We instantly turned back."
Captions
(Photo #1) August 17th, 1944, in Falaise, civilians being evacuated aboard tracked vehicles driven by Canadian troops.
(Photo #2) The Church of the Trinity, a focal point where refugees were welcomed.
(Photo #3) Place Fontaine Borne. Temporary graves of Canadian soldiers killed during battles waged to liberate Falaise.
Erected by
Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025
2. The marker in front of the cathedral
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant day of the year for for this entry is August 17.
Location. 48° 53.677′ N, 0° 12.081′ W. Marker is in Falaise, Normandie (Normandy), in Calvados. It is at the intersection of Rue Rollon and Les Trois Châteaux on Rue Rollon. The marker is located on the north side of the Église de la Trinité de Falaise. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9 Rue Rollon, 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'église de la Sainte Trinité / The Church of the Holy Trinity (a few steps from this marker); Guillaume le Conquérant / William the Conqueror (within shouting distance of this marker); L'Hôtel de Ville / The Town Hall (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); La bataille de Normandie / The Battle of Normandy (about 120 meters away); Château Guillaume-le-Conquérant / William the Conqueror’s Castle (about 120 meters away); a different marker also named Château Guillaume-le-Conquérant / William the Conqueror’s Castle (about 120 meters away); L’apparition des armes à feu / Firearms are introduced (about 150 meters away); Les Graffiti / Graffiti (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Falaise.
Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025
3. The Church of the Trinity and William the Conqueror statue
Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 97 times since then and 5 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 21, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
