Lions have not been native to the British Isles since cave lions went extinct there some 12 - 14 thousand years ago. Yet there is one type of lion that, if not native, at least has been prospering on the British isles since prehistory, and one that is centrally important to English history and culture, even if it is not directly represented on the royal coat of arms.
By September of 1944, the Western Allies had broken out of the Normandy beachehead, and suddenly and quickly moved across northern France . By September 7th, the 90th division was stretched across the northern sector on Patton’s Third Army’s left, advancing slowly northeast. As they did so the German defenders made a risky attack in an effort to spoil the allied advance, cutting through Allied lines in a surprise action at the small town of Mairy-Mannville.