AVRANCHES Manche
 The onrush of the American tanks
With the Operation Cobra, launched on 25 July, the Allied Forces broke through the German Normandy front, west of Saint-Lô. On 29 July, Coutances was taken and American armoured divisions rushed southward. The Germans attempted to reconstitute a new front, but there was a lack of troops, and the defence lines were driven from the field by the Americans. In the meantime the 2nd and 3rd Armoured Divisions trapped 7,000 German soldiers in a pocket in Roncey. 2,500 men will manage to withdraw westward until the evening of 29 July. The next day, the Combat Command B of the 4th Armoured Division was in front of Avranches. The American tanks entered the city, cleared off by the Germans on 31 July.
  
     
 
 
World War II Museum
This museum reports the decisive "Avranches breakthrough". Uniforms and equipment are presented and revive the fightings between the Germans and the Americans troops; one can also watch a film recalling this tragic episode of the Normandy Battle.
  
   
 
     
  General Patton monument
The 3rd Army tanks commanded by General Patton passed through this crossroad, from 31 July to 10 August 1944, and carried out the "Avranches breakthrough".
Situation : south of Avranches, General Patton place
 
  406th Fighter group plaque
This plaque is in memory of men of the 406th Fighter group who fought for the final victory.
Situation : in front of the Sherman tank next to General Patton monument
ROAD MAP
 
INTERESTING WEB SITES

City of Avranches web site – page about the breaktrough
http://www.ville-avranches.fr/index.php3
Personal web site about US Army
http://www.lonesentry.com/index.html
 Manche departmental tourism office web site
http://www.manchetourisme.com/
France 5 TV web site about the the Second World War
http://www.france5.fr/2gm/

 
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