Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone had some pictures of the terrain and battle of hill 112? Or even better pics of Churchill Crocodile mk VII that where used in the battle.

Cheers Dan

Hi Dan

I went there a couple of years ago for a visit and took a few photos:
This is the MkVII Churchill left placed there as a memorial, NOTE this is a representative MkVII not one that actually fought there, whilst a fitting tribute to the crews that fought and lost their lives on Hill 112, from a modelling point of view it is a MkVII with later features and so is not 100% 'right'






There is also a pair of memorials there to the infantry divisions. The Infantry took extremely heavy casualties on Hill 112. It was one of the bloodiest battles on the British/ Commonwealth sector


There is also a marble table there with a useful map that shows you just why it was so hotly contested. The British troops faced some serious resistance here in the form of various SS, Panzer and Heavy Panzer units:




MORE

Here is a view of the crest of Hill 112 as seen from the memorial by the roadside:


and a view looking down the hill into Mon Repos. Mon Repos was held by the Germans for some time after the capture of Hill 112 by the British, and of course the hill did change hands more than once


while its not exactly a stunning picture, you can see that Hill 112 is a relatively flat feature. The hills in this part of Haute Normandy are best described as rolling. Its importance comes from its height. Although the hill is not dramatically steep, it is high so commands a very good view of the surrounding area, essential for artillery spotting etc

I beleive at the time of the battle, the slopes around the hill were high with wheat as I have read accounts talking about the wheat burning from tracer and brewed tanks


Now to answer your question on the tanks: as far as I know the Churchill Crocodile was never used on Hill 112. The Crocodile was chiefly used to destroy, or ensure the surrender of (through its mere presence) the enemy inside bunkers. Hill 112 was not bunkered so the HE carried by MkVII gun tanks was entirely adequate

The Churchills that operated in the Hill 112 battle belonged to 7 and 9 RTR. These would most likely have been a mix of MkIVs, MkVIs and MkVIIs. The MkVIIs would most like have been of the initial configuration that differs in several areas from the Tamiya kit. If you wish to get a 'tweak' list, please email me at [email protected] and I will send one to you

You can find several official photos from the battle at the Imperial War Museum Archives online, try a search here: http://www.iwmcollections.org.uk/qryMain.php for 'Hill 112' and make sure you select 'photographs' from the collections drop down list

You might also be interested to read this war diary extract from the Royaltankregiment.com website :http://www.royaltankregiment.com/9_RTR/TT/9THBAT4.htm

Finally, if you want a little literary inspiration, the try Maj. John Foley's 'Mailed Fist'. At one point his Churchill was stationed on Hill 112 and made an assault on Mon Repos.



Hill 112 is a very important and often forgotten action in the Battle for Normandy. It perfectly illustrates why the Commonwealth forces 'failed' to break out and the real contribution they made in Normandy. No area of the US sector ever faced anything like this concentration of German armour and SS units and it was a costly and bloody battle that deserves to be better known. I look forward to seeing your project, please do post it when you get started