After a successful landing on D-Day and the liberation of Bayeux on the 7th June, The 8th Armoured Brigade, on the 8th June, with attached 1st Dorset Battalion advances from St Leger to Audrieu against elements of the 12th SS .Side stepping the battle in Audrieu the Sherwood Rangers secure Hill 103, by the 9th of June the 8th Armoured Brigade has a box defense on Hill 103 . With the 8th DLI attached, they secured St Pièrre late on the 9th June, after a short but violent battle , bringing forward Northumberland Hussars and 24th Lancers.
Early on the 10th June a counterattack by the Panzer Lehr 901st Reg overruns the forward positions , learn of the desperate defense of the village by the 8DLI and attached units as they battled against tanks, infantry & artillery. Hear of the courage of Lt Laws. How Sgt Wallbank stopped the advance of 3 tanks with a Piat.
On the 11th June , now supported by the Sherwood Rangers , the 8DLI continue their determined defense against the 901st Reg with more tank & infantry counterattacks on
St Pièrre and Hill 103. Major Prinz von Schonburg- Waldenburg, CO 11/ Panzer Lehr -Reg 130 is killed in the counterattack on Hill 103.
St Pièrre is one of many villages just inland that saw very heavy fighting between The British & Candaian forces and 12th SS & Panzer Lehr Divisions from Caen to Villers Bocage.
To visit these battlefields book a tour following the British or Canadian divisions as they moved inland after D-Day with www.ddaylandingtours.com
