Monument 2nd Battalion, The King's Shropshire Light Infantry

The village of Lebisey is situated about a mile south of Biéille alongside the D60. In June 1944 it was an autonomic village, nowadays it is part of the municipality of Caen. Lebisey marks the most southern line of advance from the Sword Beach bridgehead. Between Biéville and Lebisey lays a small valley which formed an obstacle from the advancing British troops of the 2nd Battalion, The King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, supported by armour of the Staffordshire Yeomanry.

During the early evening of 6 June British troops advanced from the valley towards the wood of Lebisey. The woods on top of the ridge however were heavily defended by German troops and the advance was stopped. British troops were pinned down on the slopes of the ridge and decided to pull back towards Biéville. The task of capturing Caen on 6 June failed and positions on both sides became a stalemate. It would take a month before the city was eventually taken by the Allied troops.

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Source

• Text: Jeroen Niels
• Photos: Barry van Veen