BAG Normandy 'Operation COBRA'
Be a part of our professional archaeological team working on a world first for WW2 battlefield archaeology in Normandy
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Third season in the field 26th September - 5th October 2023. Apply to join us as a volunteer and be a part of the second season team. Price £680 for 10 days - contact us for more details
Operation COBRA was a major allied operation that finally broke the German defence in Normandy in 1944. American Lt General Bradley’s plan was to carpet bomb a limited area of the German front line in Normandy, south of the Periers/ St-Lo road with hope of obliterating the German Main line of resistance. Then punching a hole through this devastation with fast moving armoured units to secure road junctions deep into enemy occupied territory, unhinging the German defence of the Cotentin peninsular. Although COBRA was a success the Americans paid a heavy price in casualties. The allied bombing was on a massive scale and destroyed whole German units yet in some sectors the German frontline defence was untouched. Stalling the initial allied advance. However, once these opening battles were overcome, allied armoured divisions moved swiftly inland, setting up road block and ambush sites for the retreating German units heading south. Often these American road blocks being completely overwhelmed by massed retreating German armour and infantry mainly 2nd SS Panzer and 17th SS Panzer grenadiers. The fighting was close quarter sudden and in the dark.
The project will work closely with the Direction Regionale des Affaires Culturelles de Normandy (DRAC) the local community and the American Defense POW MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) using new techniques specific to the study of conflict archaeology.
The Archaeology of Operation Cobra project is the first time a World War Two battlefield in Normandy has been studied in its entirety. It’s our hope that this project will greatly enhance our understanding of this conflict and help in formulating future Archaeological research strategies in this field of study. First season in the field 17th August - 30th August 2019. The team will comprise expert archaeologists, and volunteers. It doesn't matter if you have little or no previous experience. We will train you, and, working together, uncover the true evidence of the people. the actions and the battle itself.
3rd season in the field, 26th September- 5th October 2023 . Apply to join us as a volunteer and be a part of our team in season two. Price £680 for 10 days. contact us for more details
Contact Us for more info and to register your interest in being a part of this ground-breaking archaeological project.
Recruiting now - limited places available.
- This project will be the first time a WW2 battlefield in Normandy has been surveyed in detail.
- intensive geophysics will help locate lost German positions in the first phase of the breakthrough.
- strategic metal detector surveys will locate the lost crossroads actions that took such a heavy price in casualties.
The project will work closely with the Direction Regionale des Affaires Culturelles de Normandy (DRAC) the local community and the American Defense POW MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) using new techniques specific to the study of conflict archaeology.
The Archaeology of Operation Cobra project is the first time a World War Two battlefield in Normandy has been studied in its entirety. It’s our hope that this project will greatly enhance our understanding of this conflict and help in formulating future Archaeological research strategies in this field of study. First season in the field 17th August - 30th August 2019. The team will comprise expert archaeologists, and volunteers. It doesn't matter if you have little or no previous experience. We will train you, and, working together, uncover the true evidence of the people. the actions and the battle itself.
3rd season in the field, 26th September- 5th October 2023 . Apply to join us as a volunteer and be a part of our team in season two. Price £680 for 10 days. contact us for more details
Contact Us for more info and to register your interest in being a part of this ground-breaking archaeological project.
Recruiting now - limited places available.
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Research Sites
The target area of research and survey is large, so the proposed research strategy is to break up the zone of study into separate parts representing the four phases of the original operations objectives in 1944.
First season (2019) phase 1 of the project focused on Sites A6: The D446/D77 La Fontaine des Baines, and A8: La Noullerie Crossing
Opening Battles
These sites are located on what once was the German front line largely untouched by Allied bombing the German defence was dug in and consolidated…exploratory Geophysics has located German trenches and MG positions. All these positions will be the subject for excavation this season.
You will be part of a team of up to six specialists who will guide you through all aspects of the archaeological possess from surveying, recording, geophysics, finds possessing and excavation as well as understanding the wider battlefield landscape. Experienced archaeologists as well as those with no experience at all are welcome to sign up as volunteers.
First season (2019) phase 1 of the project focused on Sites A6: The D446/D77 La Fontaine des Baines, and A8: La Noullerie Crossing
Opening Battles
These sites are located on what once was the German front line largely untouched by Allied bombing the German defence was dug in and consolidated…exploratory Geophysics has located German trenches and MG positions. All these positions will be the subject for excavation this season.
You will be part of a team of up to six specialists who will guide you through all aspects of the archaeological possess from surveying, recording, geophysics, finds possessing and excavation as well as understanding the wider battlefield landscape. Experienced archaeologists as well as those with no experience at all are welcome to sign up as volunteers.
Phase 2: 2022/2023 Archaeological survey objectives
Season 2 and 3 will focus on Phase 2 of the research proposal, primarily focusing on the American 2nd Armoured division’s actions as the division broke through the German main line of resistance. The project's objective is to try and establish specific points of contact between retreating German units and American blocking positions as mentioned in contemporary unit combat reports.
Phase 2: Breakthrough Sites
Site B2- Le Pont Brocard
Site B4- La Pinetiere Crossroads
Site B5- D610/D238 Crossroads
Site B6- La Voltolaine Crossroads
Site B7-La Chapelle
Site B8-D49 The Grimesnil Road
Season 2 and 3 will focus on Phase 2 of the research proposal, primarily focusing on the American 2nd Armoured division’s actions as the division broke through the German main line of resistance. The project's objective is to try and establish specific points of contact between retreating German units and American blocking positions as mentioned in contemporary unit combat reports.
Phase 2: Breakthrough Sites
Site B2- Le Pont Brocard
Site B4- La Pinetiere Crossroads
Site B5- D610/D238 Crossroads
Site B6- La Voltolaine Crossroads
Site B7-La Chapelle
Site B8-D49 The Grimesnil Road
Read our 2019 Field season report located in the menu bar above
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