Les Amis du Suffolk Regiment

The “Hillman” site formed part of the second line of defence, built by the Germans to form defence in depth as the Allies moved inland from the beaches. “Hillman” was also strategically placed between Caen and the sea. With commanding views over the Seine Bay, it housed the 736th Grenadier Rgt command post of the 716th Division. Designated by the allies under the code name "HILLMAN", it is the single coastal HQ still visible today in Normandy.

The site included a dozen of fortified blockhouses buried 4 m depth, connected by a complex network of trenches. Protected by a mine field and a network of barbed wire, the defence of the site was provided by machine guns positions and armoured cupolas.

On 6 June 1944, the first battalion of Suffolk Regiment received the difficult task to take Hillman. The mission could not be completed until the morning of the 7^th June. The strong defence put up by “Hillman” slowed the third Division British infantry from moving off SWORD BEACH to take Caen on the evening 6^th June. This delay allowed the German defence to re-enter Caen and mount a spirited defence of the city.

-> Caen was taken a month later !