Graye-sur-Mer

On D-Day, not garrisoned as a defensible strong point, Graye-sur-Mer, lay in the shadow of fighting at the German Stongpoint: Stützpuntkte (StP) at Courseulles-sur-Mer, and for one more day under the ‘influence' of Ost-Bataillon 441./Infanterie-Division 716.

[9] The village was ‘liberated' by 'D' Company, Royal Winnipeg Rifles just after 10 AM (Paris Time, The ‘Little Black Devils' clearing the town, and quickly moving off to Banville.

In the NEPTUNE Plan, the landing of troops and continuing neutralization of enemy batteries was the direct responsibility of Allied Naval and Air Support.

The Commander 7 CIB commenting that "the terrific devastation which was to have been caused by bombing of the coast defense on either side of the River Seulles did not materialize.

"[14] [15][16] Widerstandnesten WN 33a Hameau de Vaux (Breche Le Buisson) was located at North 49°20'30.88" / West 00°29'41.37" and in June 1944, for targeting purposes, at: LZ1 vT MR Grid 9449862 (Ref.

The (WN) - Resistance Nest at the Breche Le Bisson was a small ‘platoon-sized' position, attempting to fill the tactical gap, at the ‘Divisional' Sector boundaries of KVU-Gr.

WN 33a was manned by Kompanie 1./ Ost-Bataillon 441, their company position, with several small field constructed bunkers, sat located to its rear in Hameau de Vaux (le Buission).

[25][26] Arriving ‘late' in the Graye-sur-Mer area, Ost-Bataillon 441., was positioned at a ‘Regimental Boundary' in Infanterie-Division 716, its four companies divided to fight in two different ‘Battalion KVU-Gruppe Defence Sectors'.

The Assault Group J1 - Beach Drenching Fire Programme did such damage that the Canadians quickly moved beyond its Beachhead Objective Line (YEW), with fewer casualties than anticipated.

[30] While surrounded by arriving Canadians, Graye-sur-Mer was not the object of a damaging tactical engagement on D-Day, its ‘liberation' almost uneventful, coming very early in the morning.