Graye-sur-Mer is a commune in the Calvados department in the Normandy region, in northwestern France, approximately 1 km west of Courseulles-sur-Mer, and 18 km east of Bayeux.Quelques villes proches de Graye-sur-Mer, villorama.comCommune de Graye-sur-Mer (14318), INSEE
The commune probably acquired its name from an old landed estate in its vicinity owned by Anchetil de Greye, a Norman chevalier and vassal of William FitzOsbern, 1st Earl of Hereford, one of the great magnates of early Norman England, and one of the very few proven companions of William the Conqueror known to have fought at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
World War II D-Day: at dawn
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.Marc Laurenceau, D-Day Overlord. D-Day Overlord – Normandy landings – Battle of Normandy, Graye-sur-Mer (Calvados). The cities of Normandy during the 1944 battles. See: http://www.dday-overlord.com/en/battle-of-normandy/cities/graye-sur-mer Accessed 02.02.2018 The 7th Canadian Infantry (Assault) Brigade (Group) landing on D-Day, on the Mike and Nan Green beaches, would liberate Graye-sur-Mer, greatly benefiting from the Naval Bombardment Programme, about which the arriving Canadians had complained early in the day. Graye-sur-Mer, liberated early on 06.06.1944, was the object of several notable tactical engagements on D-Day, before the day was concluded.War Diary: Headquarters, 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade, Page 3, 6 June (Solent. UK). See: http://lmharchive.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/7th-Canadian-Infantry-Brigade.pdf Accessed 02.02.2K18 The citizens getting their first taste of something at 06h30 (Paris Time) when naval bombardment began to their west at Ver-Sur-Mer and then took up to their southeast at 06h52 (Paris Time).Operation Overlord/ Neptune, JUNO BEACH: Bombardment Force ‘E', Pages 55./56. See: http://www.6juin1944.com/assaut/juno/tables.pdf Accessed 02.02.2K18 Not knowing it was the Normandy Landings, the sound of war got closer to the village at 08h45 (Paris Time) when the French Destroyer Escort La Combattante (FNFL) began to shell Hameau Vaux and Hameau de la Valette.Overlord/Operation Neptune, Force 'J' - Juno Beach. Page 56. See: http://www.6juin1944.com/assaut/juno/tables.pdf Accessed 02.02.2K18 The first Canadians to see action in Graye-sur-Mer was 'C' Company, The Canadian Scottish Regiment in ‘destroying' the German Resistance Nest at Breche Le Bisson and ‘capturing' the Château de Vaux.War Diary: The-Canadian-Scottish-Regiment, Ver-sur-Mer: Page 4, 6 Jun 44. See: http://lmharchive.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/The-Canadian-Scottish-Regiment.pdf Accessed 01.02.2018 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.War Diary: The Royal Winnipeg Rifles, Ver-sur-Mer: Page 3, 6 Jun 44. See: http://lmharchive.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/The-Royal-Winnipeg-Rifles.pdf Accessed 01.02.2018
D-Day Operation Neptune: The Naval Bombardment was set out within a deliberate timetable, to ensure that naval gunfire could eliminate targets inland, threatening the landing beaches. Operation NEPTUNE was the kick-off, toward the liberation of France, it was the amphibious phase of Operation OVERLORD. In the NEPTUNE Plan, the landing of troops and continuing neutralization of enemy batteries was the direct responsibility of Allied Naval and Air Support.Vice Admiral Morton L. Deyo, USN (Ret). Naval Guns at Normandy (1956?), Naval History and Heritage Command. See: https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/n/naval-guns-normandy.html Accessed 03.02.2K18 As the citizens of Graye-sur-Mer were woken up by the sounds of guns, not far from their homes, its two components could not have been distinguishable.
The 'Counter Battery Fire Support' Programme, delivered by the Royal Navy: (BBF) Bombardment Force ‘E' Juno Beach (x2 targets) and (BBF) Bombardment Force ‘G' Gold Beach (x2 targets), delivered first counter battery fire.
Bombardment Type Timing: BST Vessel / Force Target Details Comments Counter Battery / Fire Support Area ‘E' 05h27m HMS Belfast (C35) / BBF ‘E' Ver Sur Mer: WN32 Batterie 6./Batn II./1716 AR. / 4x 100 mm leFH 14/19 (t) UK Gold / West of Graye-sur-Mer Counter Battery / Fire Sp Area ‘G' 05h30m HMS Orion (85) / Force ‘K' La Rivière: Mont Fleury - WN 33 Kompanie 7. / Bataillon II. / Gren.Regt 736. UK Gold / West of Graye-sur-Mer Counter Battery / Fire Support Area ‘E' 05h52m HMS Diadem (84) / BBF ‘E' Beny-sur-Mer (West) - WN 28a Batterie 7.(Resi) /1716 AR. / x4 100mm le.F.H14/19(t) RAF (Tactical) Bombers: 08h15 Counter Battery / Fire Support Area ‘X' 06h19m HMS Kempenfelt (R03) / Force J2 Ko 3 (Flak). /Pz.Jg.-Abt.716 Six 7.5 cm D.C.A. Mle 1938(f) AA Flak Guns RAF (Tactical) Bombers: 07h55 Operation Overlord/ Neptune, JUNO BEACH: Bombardment Force ‘E', Pages 55./56. See: http://www.6juin1944.com/assaut/juno/tables.pdf Accessed 02.02.2K18Lt. R.H. Roy, Report No. 54 - Historical Section (G.S.) Army Headquarters. Canadian Participation in the Operations in North-West Europe, 1944. Part 1: The Assault and subsequent operations of 3 Cdn Inf Div. Appendix B. Dated 3 Dec 45. Accessed 10.08.2K16
The Beach Drenching Fire Programme was set out in a rigorous framework to ensure that indirect fire was brought to the right beach, at the right time. For the three 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade beaches, Task Force J - Assault Group J1, was controlled by LSH HMS Lawford (Captain Assault Group J1 - Fire Support Area ‘Y'). HMS Venus (a Hunt Class - Destroyer Escort) was held in Reserve and two Fleet Class – Destroyers, as was planned, were not to fire in support of the 7 CIB Landings. 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. The only damage visible from the sea was that effected by our self-propelled artillery fire from LCAs."Canadian Army Commanders (2005) "The Technique of the Assault: The Canadian Army on D-Day: After-Action Reports by Commanders," Canadian Military History: Vol. 14: Iss. 3, Article 5, Page 5. Available at: http://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol14/iss3/5 Accessed 04.02.2K18
Bombardment Type H-Hour: 07h45 BST Vessel / Force Vessel Class Target Details Planned Targets Shore Defences: Covering Fire H-40 to H La Combattante (FNFL) / Fire Support Area ‘Y' Hunt Class - Destroyer Escort on MIKE Green / MIKE Red Remained to H+12: Close Support to Strongpoints / Flanks. Planned Targets Shore Defences: Covering Fire H-40 to H HMS Stevenstone / Fire Support Area ‘Y' Hunt Class - Destroyer Escort on NAN Green at H+ Close Support Fire to Strongpoints / The Flanks. Targets on Flank: Planned Targets H-40 to H HMS Venus / Fire Support Area ‘Y' Fleet Class – Destroyer: Four 4.7” guns All of the 7 CIB Landing Sector FOB On-Call - Close Support: Strongpoints / The Flanks. Targets on Flank: Planned Targets H-40 to H HMS Faulkner / Fire Support Area ‘Y' Fleet Class – Destroyer: Four 4.7” guns Did Not Fire in Support of 7 CIB Ordered to Fire on UK Love from H-40 minutes Targets on Flank: Planned Targets H-40 to H HMS Fury / Fire Support Area ‘Y' Fleet Class – Destroyer: Four 4.7” guns Did Not Fire in Support of 7 CIB Ordered to Fire on UK Love from H-40 minutes Covering Fire: DD Tanks (Launching) H-40 to H LCG(L) 831 & LCF (2) Flak / Fire Support Area ‘Y' Landing Craft Gun / with x2 4.7-inch (120mm) Guns Engage beach guns firing from MIKE Red / Mike Green Engage beach defences from H-30 minutes Covering Fire: DD Tanks (Launching) H-40 to H LCG(L) 1062 & LCG(L) 1007 / Fire Support Area ‘Y' Landing Craft Gun / with x2 4.7-inch (120mm)Guns Engage beach guns firing from NAN Green Engage beach defences from H-30 minutes Overlord/Operation Neptune, Force 'J' - Juno Beach. Pages 41./56./57./ See : http://www.6juin1944.com/assaut/juno/tables.pdf Accessed 02.02.2K18Lt. R.H. Roy, Report No. 54 - Historical Section (G.S.) Army Headquarters. Canadian Participation in the Operations in North-West Europe, 1944. Part 1: The Assault and subsequent operations of 3 Cdn Inf Div. Appendix B. Dated 3 Dec 45. Accessed 10.08.2K16
D-Day: around noon