Signal Hill (Hill 262)
Hill 262, held by Polish forces in August 1944, was key in trapping German forces during the Falaise Pocket battle, impacting the Normandy campaign's success...
Importance Rating
4/5
Historical Context
Historical Significance is premium content
Unlock full access with a pass — including audio narrations, photo galleries, maps, discussions, and offline downloads for all locations.
Detailed narrative for on-screen reading
In the waning days of August 1944, the rolling fields of Normandy bore witness to a clash that would carve its name into the annals of history. The Battle of Hill 262, or Mont Ormel, stood as a sentinel over the Falaise Pocket, where the German 7th Army found itself ensnared in a deadly trap. This engagement was a testament to the courage and tenacity of the Polish 1st Armoured Division, who held their ground against overwhelming odds, contributing decisively to the Allied victory in the Normandy campaign.
The Poles, led by General Stanisław Maczek, had been tasked with a daunting mission: to seize and hold the high ground at Mont Ormel. From this vantage point, they could overlook the main routes of retreat for the beleaguered German forces, desperate to escape the tightening noose. The significance of the hill was not lost on either side. For the Germans, it represented a lifeline; for the Allies, it was the key to sealing the Falaise Pocket.
Sign in to continue reading
Create a free account to read the full story, or get a pass for audio narrations, photo galleries, maps, and more.
Location Map & Navigation is premium content
Unlock full access with a pass — including audio narrations, photo galleries, maps, discussions, and offline downloads for all locations.
Leave Your Mark
At Normandy's memorials, visitors have long placed beach pebbles on graves and monuments. A small stone carried from the shore and set down in silence. No ceremony. Just the quiet act of saying: I was here. I remember.
Walking in Their Footsteps continues that tradition in digital form. When you stand within 50 metres of a historical location, you can leave a permanent digital pebble. Your name, your dedication, your presence is recorded forever at that exact spot.
Every pebble stays. They accumulate over time, one by one, placed by visitors from around the world. A location with a single pebble tells you someone has stood where you are standing. A location with three hundred tells you something more.
You do not need to be here in person to remember. Remote Dedications allow you to place a message at any location from anywhere in the world. For the families who cannot travel. For the veterans who can no longer make the journey. Your words become part of that place permanently.
Every pebble is an act of remembrance. Every pebble says the same thing: this matters, and I will not let it be forgotten.
Nearby Battlefield Locations is premium content
Unlock full access with a pass — including audio narrations, photo galleries, maps, discussions, and offline downloads for all locations.
Get a pass to unlock personalized tour recommendations
Montormel Memorial
The Montormel Memorial marks a critical point in the D-Day campaign, symbolising the tactical and strategic victories that shaped the liberation of France from Nazi control.
Saint-Lambert-sur-Dive (The Corridor of Death)
Saint-Lambert-sur-Dive was crucial during D-Day, serving as a strategic route for Allied forces to advance into France, marked by significant battles.
German Tiger Tank - Vimoutiers
The German Tiger tanks at Vimoutiers were a crucial tactical challenge for Allied forces during D-Day, affecting strategies and military logistics.
Falaise Memorial
The Falaise Memorial marks a pivotal point in the D-Day campaign, where Allied forces encircled German troops, drastically changing the war's course.
Saint-Désir-de-Lisieux German War Cemetery
The Saint-Désir-de-Lisieux German War Cemetery marks the sacrifice of German soldiers during D-Day, symbolising the complex legacy of WWII's Normandy campaign..
Verrières Ridge
Verrières Ridge was a brutal focal point of the Normandy campaign. Canadian forces fought for this key vantage point in July 1944, sustaining heavy losses to pin down German armour and support the vital Allied breakout from the bridgehead.
AI Tour Guide
Coming soon! Ask questions about this location, get recommendations, and learn more about the history.