Avre Friday Briefing #65
A Sherman Returns to Berjou
This week James was in Normandy, standing on a restored Sherman tank at the top of the hill leading to Berjou (looking resplendent in his Batch No. 4 Battledress might we add). It was the first time a Sherman had been driven up that road since August 1944, retracing the route the Sherwood Rangers took during the battle for the village.
In the video, James tells the story of Lieutenant Stan Perry, who led the advance after reconnoitring the crossing of the River Noireau the night before. Perry's tank was hit, his radio aerial knocked out, and he was wounded while isolated without infantry support.
Soon after, Lieutenant Frank Galvin pushed on towards Berjou, only for his tank to be destroyed by an anti-tank weapon, killing all five crew instantly.
The fighting around Berjou was brutal. The Sherwood Rangers came under fire from German paratroopers and Waffen-SS positions before artillery and infantry support turned the battle. Nine Sherwood Rangers lost their lives, and a memorial to them stands at the local museum today.
Seeing a Sherman return to that road, 82 years later, is a powerful way to honour those men and to help us imagine the fear, noise, violence and sacrifice of that day.
Operation Chariot — three parter on Instagram
If you haven't seen it yet, our three-part series on Operation Chariot is now up on Instagram. James and Jim travelled to St Nazaire to see the Normandie dock first hand — the target of the raid that inspired Vat 01, our limited-edition whisky. 265 bottles, each one a nod to the men of the raid.
Standing on the dock itself, James tells the story across the three parts — the rationale, the run up the Loire under fire, and the aftermath.
Find it on our Instagram.
Chalke Valley History Festival — free ticket with any purchase
We'll be at Chalke Valley History Festival from 22–28 June, and we're bringing kit: a limited number of Smocks, Shawl Collar Shirts and bottles of our Vat 01 blended malt whisky.
Even better, pre-purchase any of these (or a Batch No. 4 Battledress, with a fitting at the festival — booking required) and we'll pay for your entry to the festival.
Any questions, drop us a line: hello@avreind.com