Gun Battery Benerville

On top of the Canisy mountain, with perfect views over the Bay of Seine, the Germans started in 1942 builting a gun battery. The battery was equipped with six captured French 155 mm. guns. Because of the battery's strategic location, the Allies began already in 1943 to bomb the area vigorously. Bombing continued and by D-day 6th June 1944 only four of the guns were functioning and only three of those were installed in pillboxes. The battery came quickly under heavy fire from British battleships, HMS Ramillies, HMS Roberst and HMS Warspite and they had an advantage because the range of their guns was 30 km. against the battery’s only 20 km. After a few hours the guns were put out one by one and the duel ended. In late August the Germans left the battery and the continued withdrawal to the west. There is today a museum at the area.