LA FIERE Manche - 3 km west of Sainte-Mère-Eglise The bridge of La Fière, lock of the Cotentin peninsula In the night of 5-6 June 1944, the 505th Parachutist Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division jumped on the drop zone O, near Sainte-Mère-Eglise. A group moved toward the objective : the hamlet of La Fière, where they had to capture a strategic bridge across the river Merderet. The Germans, entrenched in the manor of La Fière, kept in check the Americans who lacked heavy weapons. Around 11 am, General Ridgway assigned the task to colonel Lindquist, Commander of the 508th Regiment, to carry out a massive assault; finally the manor was taken and the paras established the defence of the bridge. At 5:30 pm the Germans striked back and counter-attacked with tanks and infantry. The Americans destroyed several Renault tanks and the enemy broke off. In the morning of 7 June, the Germans renewed the assault after an artillery preparation. The paras of the 1st Battalion of the 505th Regiment, under Captain Dolan, underwent heavy losses; the Americans defended to ground their positions and broke the last German attack at La Fière.
Memorial park of La Fière This park is dedicated to the American Airborne troop of D-day. Around the monument several plaques commemorate the 505th and 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the 80th Airborne Antiaircraft Battalion and the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division, Situation : 4 km west of Sainte-Mère-Eglise, Memorial park of La Fière, at the edge of D15 road (follow road sign)
"Iron Mike" monument Monument in memory of the American Airborne troops of D-day, Situation : 4 km west of Sainte-Mère-Eglise, Memorial park of La Fière, at the edge of D15 road (follow road sign)
La Fière bridge/Marcus Heim way This bridge on the river Merderet was the place of fierce fighting on 6 and 7 June 1944 between the American paratroops and the German soldiers. This way was nicknamed " Marcus Heim way" from the name of an American parachutist of the 82nd Airborne Division, Situation : 4 km west of Sainte-Mère-Eglise, Memorial park of La Fière, at the edge of D15 road (follow road sign)
PFC DeGlopper stele Stele in memory of Pfc Charles DeGlopper of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division who had been distinguished wit the Medal of Honor. Situation : near "Iron Mike" monument					Observation table This observation table in relief tells the history of the fierce fighting on 6 and 7 June 1944 between the American paratroops and the German soldiers to conquer this way on the river Merderet. Situation : near "Iron Mike" monument
Memory stele Stele remembering the sacrifice of men fallen for a world of Peace, Dignity and Liberty. Situation : near "Iron Mike" monument
			INTERESTING WEB SITES Web site about the 82nd Airborne Division http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/5340/division/campaigns/france.html US Army official web site - US Army divisions structure http://www.army.mil/cmh/lineage/cc/comp.htm Page of US Army official web site about units of D-day http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/reference/normandy/UnitList.htm Manche departmental tourism office web site http://www.manchetourisme.com/   All rights of photos, texts, maps and graphics design are reserved
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