167 This memorial to Le Régiment de la Chaudière overlooks the sea at Bernieres sur Mer. The Chaudières were a French Canadian unit from Quebec. As the 8th Brigade’s reserve battalion, their task on D-Day was to pass through the Queen’s Own Rifles, who had made the initial assault at Bernières, and move inland. They came in with the rising tide and many of the landing craft struck concealed mines. Four of five LCA’s of “A Company” struck concealed mines. The survivors threw off their equipment and swam to shore. Later, locals were surprised and pleased to learn their liberators spoke French! This memorial is typical of those erected by individual regimental associations, or in this instance, les Commision des Monuments historiques, in the 1960’s. For visitors today they tell very little – back then they didn’t need to because those who “were there in 1944” already knew.
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