In this month of August 2022, the Pays de Falaise celebrates the 78th anniversary of its Liberation, as well as that of the closure of the Pocket of Falaise-Chambois, the scene of the final operation of the infamous Battle of Normandy.
Commemorative ceremonies
At Cliff
On August 17, 1944, the time for the Liberation of Falaise finally struck! This Wednesday, August 17, 2022, the city will pay tribute to its liberators:
- 17 p.m. at the Trinité cemetery – Tribute to the Falaisiens killed during the bombings of summer 44
- 17:30 p.m. at the Canadian Monument, Boulevard de la Liberation – Tribute to the Canadian liberators
- 18 p.m. in front of the Memorial plaque for civilian victims, place Guillaume-le-Conquérant – Tribute to the 490 civilian victims in the Pays de Falaise
Falaise memorial
Civilians, after suffering the Occupation for several years, must now recover and rebuild everything after the fighting in the summer of 1944.
Le Falaise Memorial, opened in 2016, rarely evokes the fate of these civilians in times of war.
In Vignats
On August 13, 14 and 15, the town of Vignats will celebrate the anniversary of its Liberation during an exceptional weekend:
- Presentation of civil and military vehicles
- Reconstruction of a camp
- Demonstration and presentation of materials and equipment
- Vintage clothing sale
On Sunday, August 14, an official ceremony will pay tribute to the Canadian liberators of the town. The ceremony, at 10 a.m. at the War Memorial, will be followed by a glass of friendship.
In Montormel
On Saturday August 20, the municipality of Chambois and the Montormel Memorial commemorate the end of the Battle of the Falaise-Chambois Pocket :
- 9 a.m. in Chambois – Mass with the participation of the bishop in the armies of Poland
- 10:15 a.m. in Chambois – Wreath laying
- 11 a.m. to Montormel Memorial – Tribute to General MACZEK, speeches including that of the Polish Ambassador then laying of wreaths
Montormel Memorial
Located in the heart of the Falaise-Chambois pocket, the Montormel Memorial offers an unforgettable dive into the hell of this final battle. Its discovery constitutes an emotional and educational experience of rare significance.
In Potigny
On Sunday August 21, the municipality of Potigny will pay tribute to the soldiers of the 1st Polish DB:
- 12 p.m. on the place of the 1st Polish DB – Ceremony
- 12:30 p.m. at the town hall – Glass of friendship
