D-Day: Commonwealth Sectors

22. Casino de Ouistreham

Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandie

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As fighting spread through the streets British 4 Commando who headed the liberation of Ouistreham, were accompanied by 177 men of the Free French Army, led by Commandant Philippe Kieffer. Together they bravely made their way through the streets until reaching a German strongpoint at the site of the Casino de Ouistreham. The casino had been demolished and a reinforced bunker built to house 75mm and 50mm guns with machine guns and anti-flak guns providing support fire. By mid-morning tank support from the 13/18th Hussars (Queen Mary's Own) provided much needed aid in taking the position. In the film "The Longest Day" the troops storm a large, decorative and well-fortified casino, while a group of nuns briefly bring the battle to a halt as they walk between the two armies. Joining the Allies in a nearby hotel they administer care and first aid to the injured. Sadly this is all fantasy, although the taking of the casino site was a hard fought, bloody battle and the filming took place a little down the coast at Port-en-Bessin.