Cerisy-la-Forêt is a Commune in the Manche Department of Normandy in North-Western France. It has a population of 1,034 inhabitants and possesses an important environmental & Architectural Heritage. The Commune is located North of the Armorican Massif, East of Pays Saint-Lois & West of Bessin. The Village is located 13.4-km Northeast of Saint-Lô overlooking the Valley of the Elle, and offering an unobstructed panorama over the Cerisy Forest a kilometer away. The Massif Armoricain, of which Cerisy-la-Forêt occupies the extreme North, is a country of Dairy Farms. The landscapes are composed of meadows, hedges, wooded areas & wetlands. The nearest Stations are Gare de Lison & Gare de Le Molay-Littry.
Bob Gill Operation No.43 – Foret de Cerisy 7/8th June 1944 – Fuel Dumps & Tank Depot
112 Lancasters & 10 Mosquitos of Nos 1, 5 & 8-Groups carried out an Accurate Attack on an important 6-way Road junction half-way between Bayeux & St-Lô at Forêt De Cerisy.
The surrounding Woods were believed to contain Fuel Dumps & German Tank Units preparing to Counter-Attack the Allied Landing Forces. The nearest French Village was several kilometres away.
2 Lancasters Lost.
The German Commanders recognised that, with the Limited Forces at their disposal, holding the large Cerisy Forest would prove impossible. Instead, they have settled on this Minor Crossroads at which to make a Last Stand, barring the way East to the Summit of the Litteau Ridge.
Terrain
The narrow Hedge-lined Road leading onto the Litteau Ridge crosses the Table from one Player’s Table Edge to the other. In the German Player’s Deployment Zone the Road branches North towards the Forest, forming the Crossroads. At the German Player’s Table Edge is a small area of Woodland, representing the Edge of Cerisy Forest itself. Everywhere else on the Table is covered with Norman Bocage. It was also significant during the Battle of Normandy in WW2, as it made progress against the German Defenders difficult. In response, “Rhino Tanks” fitted with Bocage-cutting Modifications were developed. American Personnel usually referred to Bocage as Hedgerows. The German Army also used Sunken Lanes to implement Strong Points & Defences to stop the American Troops on the Cotentin (Cherbourg) Peninsula and around the Town of Saint-Lô.
Prepared Positions
With customary efficiency, the German Troops at Haute Littee had been busy digging Foxholes in readiness for the American Attack.
Air Gunner Bob Gill DFM 