Finding a map referenceSometimes the War Diary will give a map reference for a gun position, but not always. The 9th Medium Regiment RA took over gun positions in Giberville from 77th Medium Regiment RA. Fortunately their diary did give a reference for the gun positions: map square, 0867. You can find the location using a wartime map.
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Use the Coordinates Translator to convert to a modern map reference.Visit http://www.echodelta.net/mbs/eng-translator.php to convert the wartime reference to a modern map reference and Google Earth image. Beware that these conversions can be a little inaccurate but they do give the approximate area. Always back up by using a wartime map/reference and matching up to a modern map.
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Aerial PhotosJust occasionally, an aerial photo matching the date that the regiment was present, will reveal evidence of the location of gun positions. Remarkably, here in Giberville, the gun pits and slit trenches can be found on the aerial image. The 4 gun pits for each Troop are clear to see!
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Giberville gun position, matching the aerial view above. Guns were dug in pits along this tree line with slit trenches nearby for the detachments to take shelter in - these proved useful as this position was subject to frequent shelling and enemy bombing at night. From here the Regiment supported Operation Totalize.
Giberville gun position taken on a hot July day in 2022. The hedge/tree line can be clearly seen in the aerial view above.
