AMFREVILLE Manche - 5 km west of Sainte-Mère-Eglise
 The 82nd Airborne Division hold the bridgehead
On 9 June 1944, General Ridgway ordered to the 325th Glider Regiment to take Amfreville, and established a bridgehead on the west bank of river Merderet. During the night, the parachutists, under Colonel Lewis, crossed the marshy area; but the Americans got bogged down and then they were routed. Colonel Millet, commanding the 507th Regiment, was captured with many parachutists, as he was trying to make the joining with lieutenant colonel Timmes, beleaguered in a meadow east of Amfreville since 6 June. In the course of the day, general Gavin launched a successful attack from La Fière, Cauquigny was conquered. Captain Rae and a bunch of paras of the 507th Regiment reached Le Motey, south of Amfreville. The bridgehead west of the Merderet was strengthened. In the night from 9 to 10 June, the 90th Infantry Division coming from Utah Beach crossed La fière, and carried on the relieve of the 82nd Airborne parachutists. Amfreville was liberated in the course of this offensive.
    
 
         
 
 
 
   
         

507th Parachute infantry regiment monument
This monument is dedicated to american parachutists of 507th Regiment of 82nd Airborne. From D-day, on 6 june 1944, to 11 may 1945, the regiment fought in Europe and was awarded numerous medals : Silver Star : 108 medals, Soldier's Medal : 7 medals, Bronze Star : 351 medals, Purple Heart : 1446 medals.
Situation : near the D126, in The Helpiquets locality, 1 km before Amfreville coming from Sainte-Mère-Eglise
 
 
ROAD MAP
 
INTERESTING WEB SITES
Manche departmental tourism office web site
http://www.manchetourisme.com/
Personal web site about the 82nd Airborne Division
http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/5340/division/campaigns/france.html
Personal web site about D-day - lot of US veterans testimonies
http://users.interstroom.nl/~heijink/normandy/
US Army official web site about technical units of D-day
http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/reference/Normandy/TS/index.htm
 
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