Hill of Death

Hill 112 has a commanding view over the surrounding fields and several small villages, which made it a key position. After the British took the hill, it was subjected to as many as 14 German attacks, all of which were …

1944-07-11

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Hill 112 has a commanding view over the surrounding fields and several small villages, which made it a key position. After the British took the hill, it was subjected to as many as 14 German attacks, all of which were repulsed. On July 11th, Tiger tanks were committed to the effort. They rolled up the hill, clearing a triangular wooded area of AT guns. The Churchills broke formation and drove for the hill. They were no match for the Tigers, however, and it was a sadly uneven fight. The Tigers continued on and began butchering the infantry in their foxholes. In desperation, the British called down smoke to cover them as they pulled back, but the Tigers drove through it and decimated the withdrawing troops. One Tiger was lost, but the hill was once again in German hands. The British defenders were relieved at the end of the day, having lost all of the AT guns and 50% of their men.

Hill 112, France

Operation Jupiter was an offensive by VIII Corps of the British Second Army on 10 to 11 July 1944 during the Battle of Normandy in the Second World War. The objective of the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division, was to capture the villages of Baron-sur-Odon, Fontaine-Étoupefour, Chateau de Fontaine and to recapture Hill 112. An attached brigade of the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division would take Éterville, Maltot and the ground up to the River Orne and then the tanks of the 4th Armoured Brigade, supported by infantry, would advance through the captured ground and secure several villages to the west of the River Orne. It was hoped that the initial objectives could be captured by 9:00 a.m., after which the 4th Armoured Brigade would exploit the success.

Wikipedia: Operation Jupiter (1944)

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German