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'''Bocage''' is a [[Norman language|Norman]] word which has found its way into both the [[French language|French]] and [[English language|English]] [[:wikt:languages|languages]]. It may refer to a small [[:wikt:forest|forest]], a [[:en:wikt:decoration|decoration]] that includes [[:wikt:leaves|leaves]]. Most often it refers to [[:wikt:pastures|pastures]] bordered by thick [[:wikt:forest|forest]] or [[:wikt:hedges|hedges]]. The trees and hedges around the pastures or fields are planted in [[:wikt:earth|earth]] [[:en:wikt:mounds|mounds]].<ref name=Smith63>Judy Smith, ''Holiday Walks in Normandy'' (Wilmslow: Sigma Leisure, 2001), p. 63</ref> Between the planted mounds are sunken [[:wikt:lanes|lanes]].<ref name=Smith63/> The word bocage forms part of the name for several towns in parts of [[Lower Normandy]].<ref name=Smith63/> The term '''Bocage Normandy''' refers to the area around [[Saint-Lô]] and [[Vire]].<ref name=Smith63/> |
'''Bocage''' is a [[Norman language|Norman]] word which has found its way into both the [[French language|French]] and [[English language|English]] [[:wikt:languages|languages]]. It may refer to a small [[:wikt:forest|forest]], a [[:en:wikt:decoration|decoration]] that includes [[:wikt:leaves|leaves]]. Most often it refers to [[:wikt:pastures|pastures]] bordered by thick [[:wikt:forest|forest]] or [[:wikt:hedges|hedges]]. The trees and hedges around the pastures or fields are planted in [[:wikt:earth|earth]] [[:en:wikt:mounds|mounds]].<ref name=Smith63>Judy Smith, ''Holiday Walks in Normandy'' (Wilmslow: Sigma Leisure, 2001), p. 63</ref> Between the planted mounds are sunken [[:wikt:lanes|lanes]].<ref name=Smith63/> The word bocage forms part of the name for several towns in parts of [[Lower Normandy]].<ref name=Smith63/> The term '''Bocage Normandy''' refers to the area around [[Saint-Lô]] and [[Vire]].<ref name=Smith63/> |
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During [[World War II]] following the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] [[Invasion of Normandy]], the allies found themselves in 'hedgerow country' ( |
During [[World War II]] following the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] [[Invasion of Normandy]], the allies found themselves in 'hedgerow country' (bocage).<ref name=Daugherty7172>Leo Daugherty, ''The Battle of the Hedgerows: Bradley's First Army in Normady, June-July 1944'' (St. Paul, MN: MBI Pub. Co., 2001), pp. 71-72</ref> It was ideal for [[Nazi Germany|German]] troops to hide in and not be seen until it was too late.<ref name=Daugherty7172/> The Allied [[:en:wikt:breakout|breakout]] of the Bocage into open country took over eight weeks.<ref>William R. Buster, ''Time on target: the World War II memoir of William R. Buster'' (Frankfort, KY: Kentucky Historical Society, 1999), p. 83</ref> |
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== Bocage landscape == |
== Bocage landscape == |
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Revision as of 15:56, 30 July 2013
Bocage country in Normandy.
Bocage is a Norman word which has found its way into both the French and English languages. It may refer to a small forest, a decoration that includes leaves. Most often it refers to pastures bordered by thick forest or hedges. The trees and hedges around the pastures or fields are planted in earth mounds.[1] Between the planted mounds are sunken lanes.[1] The word bocage forms part of the name for several towns in parts of Lower Normandy.[1] The term Bocage Normandy refers to the area around Saint-Lô and Vire.[1]
During World War II following the Allied Invasion of Normandy, the allies found themselves in 'hedgerow country' (bocage).[2] It was ideal for German troops to hide in and not be seen until it was too late.[2] The Allied breakout of the Bocage into open country took over eight weeks.[3]
Bocage landscape
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Bocage of the Cotentin Peninsula.
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Path through bocage.
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Rural landscape of semi-bocage.
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Cut down bocage showing mounds.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Judy Smith, Holiday Walks in Normandy (Wilmslow: Sigma Leisure, 2001), p. 63
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Leo Daugherty, The Battle of the Hedgerows: Bradley's First Army in Normady, June-July 1944 (St. Paul, MN: MBI Pub. Co., 2001), pp. 71-72
- ↑ William R. Buster, Time on target: the World War II memoir of William R. Buster (Frankfort, KY: Kentucky Historical Society, 1999), p. 83