CHERBOURG: The Star and Stripes flew over the Fort du Roule, a June 25, 2015 |
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Photos: P. Dalibard ( Club Souvenir Militaire ) |
On June 25, 2015, at 10 a.m., members of the organization Nord Cotentin Mémoire 44, who came by jeeps and GMC, and all in period dress, paid tribute to the liberators by raising the coours on top of the Roule. « A symbolic gesture to pay tribute to the American soldiers from the 79th Infantry Division who gallantly fought to take the fort. » « The American flag flew over the Roule mountain, June 25, 1944, before even being on the front of the City Hall. It was important for us to remember today. The municipality allowed us to raise the Stars and Stripes for hours. It is an honor for all of us. » Norbert, Régisseur du musée de la libération |
Historic reminder |
June 1944. While the British’s goal is « the Caen’ hinge », the Americans fight in Cotentin. Their goal is to take the Cherbourg harbour. The Roule Fortress was the last obstacle before taking Cherbourg, essential to deliver supplies to the Allied landed troops. Despite an intense aerial bombardment, the German opposition was a stubborn one, due to the Fort’s strategic position. The honor of his clearance, accomplished on June 25, will go to the 313rd and 314th Infantry Regiments of the 79th Infantry Division, this American Division, at the end of 36 hours of fights which end with grenades and cold weapons. The permanent liberation of Cherbourg is confirmed on the next day, in the morning, making of the city the first harbour liberated in France. After a month of repairs by the American and French Engineers, the harbour, completely demolished by the Germans and the bombardments, welcome the first Liberty ships. Cherbourg, bridgehead for the Allied trops in France, became for a while, the world first harbour, ahead of New York, with 25 000 tons of material unloaded every day ! Ludovic AMELINE "La presse de la manche" |
La 79th Infantry Division | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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La 79th Infantry Division was raised in August 1917. It was sent to France, arriving in July 1918. In September, il took part in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Back in the United States in May-June 1919, it was demobilized shortly afterwards. The division was brought back into active service on June 15th 1942. Assigned to VI Corps at Camp Pickett (Virginia).it remained in that sector until August 1942. In April 1944, the 79th Infantry Division left the United States for the UK where it continued training. The Division landed on Utah Beach from June 12-14th 1944. Starting on June 18th, it took part with VII Corps in the attack on Cherbourg. Starting out from a Golleville-Urville line, it was stopped south-west of Valognes on June 19th. On June 20th, it resumed its advance, reching Brix and St Martin le Greard, and mopped up the area west of Valognes.
Between June 6th and June 30th, the division lost 2,376 men killed, wounded or missing. The memorial stone for the 79 th Infantry Division, Cherbourg road to La Haye du Puits, the only one in Europe dedicated to this army. Allocated to VIII Corps, from July 3rd the 79th Infantry Division took part in the offensive on La Haye du Puits, Portbail Lessay and the Ay valley. Still with VIII Corps, the division took part in Operation "Cobra". It took Lessay on July 26th. It advanced towards the Seine, reaching Dreux. The division will continue its forward march through France and then Belgium, Holland and Germany in May 1944 The 79th Infantry Division was among the American Units committed most often during the Second World War. In the course of its advance through France and Germany, it lost 20,000 men, including 2,000 killed. The germans described this division as one of the most "combative in the American Army". The division was disbanded shortly after its return to the United States in December 1945. |
TRANSLATION BY | Nathalie & Patrick |
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INFORMATION & PICTURE SOURCE | Findagrave.com - Aad.archives.gov |
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PROGRAMMER | Frédéric & Renaud |