On the way back home yesterday we had an hour or so to spare, so I took a short detour to visit Hill 112. I had always wanted to visit the memorial to the 43rd Wessex Division and, in particular, to the men of the 5th Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, who had the uneviable task of capturing and holding this vantage point in July 1944.
It's a very poignant but understated reminder of the horror and waste of war, something that is worth the insignificant time and minimal effort it takes to drive off the autoroute for a while before you continue on your way. I was rewarded by my time in this very small but far from insignificant corner of Normandy, even though it took only half an hour or so to stop and spend a moment in thought.
We used to have a cottage in St. Pierre du Regarde and know exactly what you mean...
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