What does the word "bocage" mean?
Q: What does the word "bocage" mean?
A: Bocage is a Norman word which may refer to a small forest or a decoration that includes leaves, but most often it refers to pastures bordered by thick forest or hedges.
Q: Where is the term Bocage Normandy used?
A: The term Bocage Normandy is used in parts of Lower Normandy, specifically around Saint-Lô and Vire.
Q: How were the German troops able to use the bocage during World War II?
A: The hedgerows of the bocage were thick enough for German troops to hide in and not be seen until it was too late. They could also hide tanks and artillery pieces within them.
Q: How long did it take for Allied forces to break out of the bocage into open country?
A: It took over eight weeks of fighting for Allied forces to break out of the bocage into open country.
Q: What type of vegetation makes up a bocage?
A: A bocage consists of trees and hedges planted in earth mounds with sunken lanes between them.
Q: Is there any other way that "bocage" is used besides referring to pastures and fields?
A: Yes, "bocage" may also refer to a small forest or a decoration that includes leaves.
