Chambois

A german is about to get medical care after having been transported by a captured SdKfz 251 to Avenue Gambetta in Fel, adjacent to Chambois. August 1944.
A german is about to get medical care after having been transported by a captured SdKfz 251 to Avenue Gambetta in Fel, adjacent to Chambois. August 1944.
Peaceful and almost unaltered, the same location in 2011.
Peaceful and almost unaltered, the same location in 2011.

A PzKpfW IV beneath a house on the left and an SdKfZ 9 alongside the road towards Chambois, both relics of the combat for Fel and Chambois.
A PzKpfW IV beneath a house on the left and an SdKfZ 9 alongside the road towards Chambois, both relics of the combat for Fel and Chambois.
The D16 from Fel into Chambois, just before the Dives bridge some 50 yards ahead. Matchpoints are the shape of the roof on the the right and of course the churchtower (2011).
The D16 from Fel into Chambois, just before the Dives bridge some 50 yards ahead. Matchpoints are the shape of the roof on the the right and of course the churchtower (2011).

Crossroads of D13 and D16, center of Chambois. A bulldozer (unknown tool to the French) moving debris. Americans probably from 358 or 359 Regt (90 US ID). Frame from movie Death and Destruction in the Falaise Gap.
Crossroads of D13 and D16, center of Chambois. A bulldozer (unknown tool to the French) moving debris. Americans probably from 358 or 359 Regt (90 US ID). Frame from movie Death and Destruction in the Falaise Gap.
Same location in 2011. The roads are clean now :-)
Same location in 2011. The roads are clean now :-)

'Vezelise' on the very same building you can see on the picture above, on the corner, behind the bulldozer. Vezelise is beer, so the building is probably a café (pub). The scene depicts a roman catholic procession in progress.
'Vezelise' on the very same building you can see on the picture above, on the corner, behind the bulldozer. Vezelise is beer, so the building is probably a café (pub). The scene depicts a roman catholic procession in progress.
Still a café in 2011. Houses in the background also hardly changed in over 65 years!
Still a café in 2011. Houses in the background also hardly changed in over 65 years!

Same site as above, looking down the D16 towards Fel. A german soldier monitors the event.
Same site as above, looking down the D16 towards Fel. A german soldier monitors the event.
No procession in 2011, the café still overlooks possible future processions.
No procession in 2011, the café still overlooks possible future processions.

Saint Martin church, built in 1047, remains upright however rather damaged. 1944.
Saint Martin church, built in 1047, remains upright however rather damaged. 1944.
Current situation (2011). Inside the church there is a commemorative plaque, citing the units that fought in the town. Picture was taken with my back almost against the 'Vezelise' café!
Current situation (2011). Inside the church there is a commemorative plaque, citing the units that fought in the town. Picture was taken with my back almost against the 'Vezelise' café!

Found this picture recently (Aug 2012) and found out it's taken in Fel on the road to Chambois (D16). Matchpoints are the church, the DonJon next to it and the building (left) with 6 white rectangles around doors and windows. Click for streetview!
Found this picture recently (Aug 2012) and found out it's taken in Fel on the road to Chambois (D16). Matchpoints are the church, the DonJon next to it and the building (left) with 6 white rectangles around doors and windows. Click for streetview!

Rue Emile Combes, September 2014. Between this spot (Fel) and the church in the background (Chambois) the river Dives crosses the road. After 70 years, there is still some maintenance to do apparently.


Also on the D16 (again the church and DonJon in te background), this picture is a bit blurred unfortunately. Click for Streetview!
Also on the D16 (again the church and DonJon in te background), this picture is a bit blurred unfortunately. Click for Streetview!

Rue Emile Combes, 2014. Picture taken about 50 meters down the road compared to picture above from the opposite side of the street. The church is an easy mark again.


La ferme Beltoise, with shrapnel and debris in the garden and around the farm. A out of service Panther tank is left alone by its crew.
La ferme Beltoise, with shrapnel and debris in the garden and around the farm. A out of service Panther tank is left alone by its crew.
Extremely remarkable (in 2011), the lining of the grass beneath the path leading to the farm has an almost identical shape as over 65 years ago. Time has stopped?!
Extremely remarkable (in 2011), the lining of the grass beneath the path leading to the farm has an almost identical shape as over 65 years ago. Time has stopped?!

A sherman patrols the streets of Chambois. In this case, the (current) Rue des Polonais, D16. At right, the house where polish and american forces shook hands when they met.
A sherman patrols the streets of Chambois. In this case, the (current) Rue des Polonais, D16. At right, the house where polish and american forces shook hands when they met.
Same location now, in 2011. Very, very identical to the same spot during WWII! Click for StreetView.
Same location now, in 2011. Very, very identical to the same spot during WWII! Click for StreetView.

StuG, pinned down on Rue des Polonais. Two inhabitants pose in front of the giant lump of steel.
StuG, pinned down on Rue des Polonais. Two inhabitants pose in front of the giant lump of steel.
The StuG replaced by a Renault, some remodelling done of the houses (2011). Matchpoint was the two buildings on tight and their roof lining. Click for StreetView.
The StuG replaced by a Renault, some remodelling done of the houses (2011). Matchpoint was the two buildings on tight and their roof lining. Click for StreetView.