The Hillman Strongpoint, Colleville-Montgomery
Introduction
This strong defensive position covering 2,500 square yards protected by mines and wire and containing a concrete bunker and underground works was the HQ of the German 736th Regiment with an area strength of more than 150 men. It was taken by the Suffolk Regiment, aided by two troops of Shermans of the 13th/18th Hussars after a six hour battle in which the Suffolks lost 20 men killed. The way in which the position had to be approached was remembered by Lieutenant Colonel R.M.S. Maude commanding 246th Field Company Royal Engineers, one of whose detachments was involved:-
"The position was approached from the north were the grass was sufficiently long to allow covered approach to the outer minefield area. It was decided to attack from this point and a mine clearance team was detailed to breach the minefield. Lt A. Heal led a party of four sappers. Working in two parties, each of two men with a mine detector, tracing tape and wire cutters, these parties working on their stomachs in the long grass, and covered by fire from the infantry, cleared and marked two paths through the minefield. The inner wire was breached by Bangalore torpedoes placed by the Infantry and the Infantry of 1st Battalion Suffolks assaulted through these gaps with A Company. The Company, under Major G. Riley, captured the first concrete post but then found themselves under such intense fire that they were unable to maintain the position, and after the Company Commander had been killed they were forced to withdraw. It was then decided that the position could not be captured with the assistance of armour."
The plaque on the bunker commemorates all those of the Regiment who fell in the liberation of Colleville, the capture of HILLMAN and later fighting in Normandy. It pays tribute to the Colleville family who in February 1989 made this site available so that future generations could recognize the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers.
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