Bocage: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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In [[Normandy]], the bocage acquired a particular significance in the [[Chouannerie]] during the French Revolution.<ref>Michel Moulin, ''Mémoires de Michelot Moulin sur la Chouannerie normande'', A. Picard, 1893, pp. 88–89</ref>

The bocage was also significant during the [[Invasion of Normandy|Battle of Normandy]] in World War II, as it made progress against the German defenders difficult.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cgsc.cdmhost.com/cdm/ref/collection/p4013coll8/id/2707|title=Combined Arms Research Library (CARL) Digital Library}}</ref> Plots of land were divided by ancient rows of dirt alongside irrigationdrainage ditches; thick vegetation on these dirt mounds could create walls up to 16 feet/4.8 metres high. A typical square mile on the battlefield might contain hundreds of irregular hedged enclosures.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nye |first1=Logan |title=Why some of the Allies' toughest fighting in Normandy came after D-Day |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/why-allies-toughest-fighting-in-normandy-came-after-dday-2020-6 |access-date=16 April 2022 |work=Business Insider |date=2020}}</ref>

In response, "[[Rhino tank]]s" fitted with bocage-cutting modifications were developed. American personnel usually referred to bocages as [[hedge|hedgerows]]. The German army also used [[sunken lane]]s to implement strong points and defences to stop the American troops on the [[Cotentin Peninsula]] and around the town of [[Saint-Lô]].<ref>George Bernage, Objectif Saint-Lô : 7 juin-18 juillet 1944, Edition Heimdal, 2012, p.97</ref>