Jun 7, 20201 min read

46 Cdo RM - D Day +1 - Capture of Petit Enfer

Updated: Jul 7

Unit/ Formation: 46 Cdo RM Location: France Period/ Conflict: World War II

Year: 1944 Date/s: 7 June 1944 Lieutenant Colonel Hardy’s 46 Royal Marine Commando (4th Brigade), which initially would have landed at Houlgate and Bénerville on the 6th, finally disembarked at 0600 hours, on 7th June, at Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer to attack the Petit-enfer strong point.

a section of the German shore defences at Petit Enfer captured on June 7 1944 by 46 RM CDO 4th Special Service Brigade.

The fortified position fell at 1800 hours along with 65 prisoners of 716th German Division.

0600 - Signal received that the unit was to come under command 1 Corp and to be landed on NAN WHITE Beach as early as possible.

Hasty re-adjustments and improvisations were made to equipment. Place: Bernieres 002853

0900 - The unit was landed by the ships flotillas on NAN WHITE Beach. Orders were received that the unit was to capture strongpoint PETIT ENFER area 048833 - 052830 - 051829 - 047832 with u/c one troop RMAS Gp.

The cameraman surveys a section of the German shore defences at Petit Enfer captured on June 7 1944 by 4th Special Service Brigade. Ventilator blocks for underground shelters (where the defending troops could stay during the preliminary invasion bombardment) are discernible in the grass-covered ground lying behind the top of the beach, which is lined by a continuous coil of barbed-wire. A series of narrow communications trenches effectively concealed by the grass connects an empty machine gun position overlooking the beach to now destroyed seaside villas turned into strongpoints via an underground shelter, a 5cm gun position and its own underground ammunition store (with 310 rounds still in their crates).

1330 - Attack in three phases commenced from rd junc 033838. Place: Petit Enfer

1800 - Strongpoint surrendered; 65 prisoners (716 Coastal Div) were captured, together with a considerable quantity of enemy weapons and equipment. Own casualties - NIL.

2000 - Orders were received that two troops were to occupy LA DELIVERANDE 0881 jointly with 7 Black Watch that evening after a heavy naval bombardment.