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General
Patton 3rd Army enters on the battlefield
At the end of July 1944, the German front is dismantled west of Saint-Lô;
the Americans obtain finally the breakthrough they hope for, they
reach Avranches on 31 July. They benefit from two unexpected strategic
edges : they take Avranches without fighting and capture an intact
bridge in Pontaubault. At this moment, on 1st August, General Patton's
3rd Army enters on the battlefield. The objectives do not miss for
the four Army Corps of Patton's forces : Brest, Rennes, Orleans and
the river Seine. All attempts of German counter attacks are broken,
Saint-James is liberated on this same 1st August.
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| SAINT-JAMES
(Manche - 20 km south of Avranches) |
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American
cemetery : 4 410 graves
Saint-James cemetery was temporary in 1944, and definitive in
1949; 4 410 American soldiers are buried in this cemetery. The
steles are made of white marble, on a wall one can read the
names of 498 missing soldiers. The space is carefully designed
through the architecture and scenery. The memorial is built
on the model of a romanesque chapel, from the bell-tower one
can see Mont-Saint-Michel.
Situation : on the D230 road, going toward
Louvigné du Desert (follow the road-sign) |
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