The story
August 24 at 0650hrs, the Armoured Cars Squadron receives the order to push towards the next river line, then on towards the major obstacle of the River Risle, and also to try to contact, on the right, elements of the British 49th Recce Regiment (of the 49th (West Riding) Division (the 'Polar Bears').
Commandant DE SELLIERS de MORANVILLE launches VERHAEGEN's troop on the axis Honfleur, Fiquefleur, Equainville, Berville, Foulbec. At about 1025hrs, the Squadron HQ settled down 300 metres east of St Benoît d'Hebertot. VERHAEGE perceives Fiquefleur's bridge which is intact and wants to try to catch it by surprise. But he is taken under the German bombardment. He is wounded, along with three of his men. BIHAY, rescues one of them under enemy fire, while VERHAEGE continues to give information by radio.
There's more to discover
You have arrived at just one small part of Back to Normandy — a personal project dedicated to preserving stories, images, music and memories of the Second World War.
Every record is a doorway to a larger story. Explore Back to Normandy to discover more, or visit Fred Vogels' personal website to learn about the person and the projects behind it.