MASSACRE AT THE CHATEAU DE GRANGUES, NORMANDY

[Gil Boyd]

I have for a number of years now been investigating, from a Detective's perspective, the killings of 8 Paratroopers on the early morning of D-DAY at the Chateau de Grangues in Normandy.

I have just returned with the final piece in the jigsaw, which was provided by a Red Cross nurse aged 93 years of age who I found, who was as sharp as a razor, and remembered everything as if it was yesterday.

Full write up to follow on the lone Nazi culprit and the story as it unfolded on the night.
Photo of the nurse and the interpreter on a lovely 6th of June and meeting some of the veterans at Grangues church

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[browningautorifle]

Good to see you Gil, looking very proper. The Canadians had a few killed that day also...North Nova's.

[Gil Boyd]

Jim,
Absolutely right, they gave their all in the same area, apologies for not mentioning that.
The church of Eglise Notre Dame sits on a high ridge in the valley surrounded by high trees in a densely wooded area. Not a place to land a glider. Surprisingly it is not a place many on the D-DAY pilgrimage visit, as it is inland from the beaches, and not much is known about what happened there.
The Union flag stands proud in the churchyard 24/7 alongside the Canadian Maple Leaf and a great honour paid by the local people to both countries.
Veterans Captain Nick Archdale Legion d' honeau, 7 PARA Battalion (Light Infantry)
Ernest Stringer, Legion d' honeau
Bob Sullivan, MBE, Legion d' honeau

[browningautorifle]

apologies for not mentioning that.

None required, hereabouts the story goes that Canadians were off'd. No real mention of the Paras. I knew there were Brits but until now didn't know they were paras.

[Gil Boyd]

As is today in 16 Air Assault, attached units wear the red beret as part of the Brigade. The majority are therefore not wearing wings, unless they have done their wings course.
It was also the same during WW2, many were glider borne troops not parachutists, but were identifiable wearing the red beret.

[browningautorifle]

You and Peter and a few may remember when we had 3 Mech Commando in Germany back in the '70s...all wore the maroon beret but most weren't airborne or jump qualified. They all wore the Airborne hat badge and when they returned told stories of "When I was in the airborne"...no, we'd say, you were 3 Mech. Not jumper...

[Gil Boyd]

Yes absolutely right there, allegedly it was a ruse to make the Russians think we had more Airborne troops as it was in WW2 to confuse the Germans.
Thats how L Detachment SAS started life.............divide and conquer!!