Hill 112: The Key to defeating Hitler in Normandy

Hill 112 was a crucial defensive ground for the Germans in Normandy, but it was also an essential steppingstone for the British to the River Orne and access to the open country south to Falaise. The Hitlerjugend SS Panzer Division lost Hill 112 to 4th Armoured Brigade, but the essence of its tactical problem was that it was impossible for armor to survive on its broad plateau and the infantry could only hold the skeletal orchards and woods at the cost of crushing casualties. Ten days later, 43rd Wessex Division was ordered to resume the advance to the Orne with Hill 112 its first objective. For six weeks from the end of June into August, Hill 112 was regularly shelled and mortared, and shrouded with smoke and dust, while soldiers of both sides clung to their respective rims of the plateau. By the end, Hill 112 had developed a reputation as evil as that of any spot on the First World War's Western Front.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2022
Publisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd

When one considers Hill 112 from afar, the notion that it holds the key to Normandy seems unlikely. However, upon reaching its plateau, the breathtaking vistas extend in every direction across a vast expanse of Normandy. For the Germans, this hill was a vital defensive stronghold, but for the British, it was a crucial stepping stone on their journey to the River Orne and the open countryside south to Falaise.

Despite the Hitlerjugend SS Panzer Division's initial victory over the 4th Armoured Brigade when they captured the Tourmauville Bridge intact, the true nature of Hill 112's tactical challenge soon became apparent. The plateau's vast expanse made it impossible for armor to survive, while the infantry could only hold the skeletal orchards and woods at the expense of heavy casualties. As the II SS Panzer Corps prepared to launch an attack on the British, the toehold on Hill 112 was relinquished, leaving the 11th Armoured Division in control of a bridgehead across the River Odon.

Ten days later, the 43rd Wessex Division was ordered to resume the advance towards the Orne, with Hill 112 serving as their first objective. As the west countrymen and tanks advanced, they encountered fierce resistance from the stronghold that Hill 112 had become. The stage was set for one of the most grueling battles of the campaign.

For six weeks, from the end of June to the beginning of August, as the Allied advances gained momentum, Hill 112 remained too vital to be allowed to fall into enemy hands. Consequently, it was subjected to regular shelling and mortar fire, shrouded in smoke and dust, while soldiers from both sides clung to the edges of the plateau. By the end, Hill 112 had earned a reputation as evil, rivaling any other location on the Western Front of World War I.

In conclusion, Hill 112 was a pivotal point in the Normandy campaign, representing both a defensive stronghold for the Germans and a crucial objective for the British. Its strategic importance and the intense battles that took place on its plateau make it a significant chapter in the history of World War II.

Weight: 870g
Dimension: 165 x 252 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399010474