Sword was the code-name for the easternmost of the five landing beaches in Normandy. Reinforced by commandos and supported by specially adapted tanks, the 3rd British Infantry Division landed here. The men were to gather up with the 6th Airborne Division and capture Caen. This last objective was finally achieved a month later on 9 July.

Sword was the code-name for the easternmost of the five landing beaches in Normandy. The stakes were high. The aim was to protect the left flank of the Allied bridgehead in Normandy, in liaison with the 6th Airborne Division which had landed between the Orne and Dives rivers. Jointly they were supposed to seize the strategically important city of Caen, fifteen kilometres from Sword beach.

The assault was led by the 3rd British Infantry Division, reinforced by the commandos of the 1st and 4th Special Service Brigades and supported by specially adapted tanks. The sector of Sword Beach stretched from Langrune to Ouistreham. Once landed, the commandos neutralized the German strongpoints by attacking them from both sides.

The landing on Sword Beach was largely successful. After clearing Ouistreham of hostile units, the 1st Special Service Brigade was able to join the paratroopers at Bénouville and settle on the east bank of the Orne. Nevertheless, the commandos who had to assure the connection with the Canadian troops landed on Juno Beach, couldn’t make it on the evening of 6 June. They were attacked by the 21st German Panzer Division. After the Germans lost 50 of their tanks, they abandoned their positions.

Congestion on the beaches and determined resistance by some German strongpoints further inland, prevented the British from capturing Caen on 6 June as they had hoped. Eventually more than a month of fighting was necessary to complete the liberation of the city on 9 July 1944.

Tourist information

There are several sites and items of interest In the Hermanville area. In Hermanville-Plage, a ‘Centaur’ tank which engaged in support of the Royal Marines Commandos stands near the intersection of the rue du Dr Turgis and Rue Amiral Wietzel. Near Hermanville-Bourg a British military cemetery with 1.005 graves is located. The German “Hillman” Strongpoint at Colleville-Montgomery is also interesting to visit.