The Battle of Merville Gun Battery occurred on 6 June 1944, as part of the Normandy landings. Allied intelligence believed the Merville Gun Battery was composed of heavy-calibre guns that could threaten the British landings at Sword Beach, only away. Once the paratroopers had withdrawn, two of the guns were put back into action by the Germans. Another attack the next day by British Commandos failed to recapture the battery, which remained under German control until 17 August, when the German Army started to withdraw from the area.
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rdf:type
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rdfs:label
| - Battle of Merville Gun Battery
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rdfs:comment
| - The Battle of Merville Gun Battery occurred on 6 June 1944, as part of the Normandy landings. Allied intelligence believed the Merville Gun Battery was composed of heavy-calibre guns that could threaten the British landings at Sword Beach, only away. Once the paratroopers had withdrawn, two of the guns were put back into action by the Germans. Another attack the next day by British Commandos failed to recapture the battery, which remained under German control until 17 August, when the German Army started to withdraw from the area.
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sameAs
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Strength
| - 130(xsd:integer)
- 600(xsd:integer)
- but only 150 for the assault
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dcterms:subject
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dbkwik:military/pr...iPageUsesTemplate
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Partof
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Date
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Commander
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Caption
| - Overhead view of the battery, showing the damage caused by a bombing raid in May 1944
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Casualties
| - 22(xsd:integer)
- 75(xsd:integer)
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Result
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Notes
| - ~ 450 men failed to arrive at the battalion assembly area following the parachute landing
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Place
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Conflict
| - Battle of Merville Gun Battery
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Units
| - 1(xsd:integer)
- 6(xsd:integer)
- 9(xsd:integer)
- 716(xsd:integer)
- Artillery Regiment 1716
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abstract
| - The Battle of Merville Gun Battery occurred on 6 June 1944, as part of the Normandy landings. Allied intelligence believed the Merville Gun Battery was composed of heavy-calibre guns that could threaten the British landings at Sword Beach, only away. The British 9th Parachute Battalion, part of the 6th Airborne Division, was given the objective of destroying the battery. However, when the battalion arrived over Normandy, their parachute descent was dispersed over a large area, so instead of over 600 men, only 150 with no heavy weapons or equipment arrived at the battalion assembly point. Regardless, they pressed home their attack and succeeded in capturing the battery, only to discover that the guns were old First World War vintage, without the range to trouble the landings. Using what explosives they had been able to recover, the surviving 75 men tried to disable the guns. Once the paratroopers had withdrawn, two of the guns were put back into action by the Germans. Another attack the next day by British Commandos failed to recapture the battery, which remained under German control until 17 August, when the German Army started to withdraw from the area.
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