D-Day: Commonwealth Sectors

13. The Vauban Redoute

Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandie

Book Now

This mini fortress was initially built in 1779 and emphasized the importance that was attached to the defence of the waterways leading to Caen. When he surveyed the scene, Rommel recognized its importance and called for additional defences to be built and an underground communication line be installed. It was here in the early hours of D-Day that the artillery observer listened to the ensuing battle at Merville and the desperate cries of his comrades as the battery was overrun by the men of 6th Para. Once the war had moved on further inland many of the dispossessed citizens of Merville-Franceville were temporarily housed here until their destroyed homes could be rebuilt.