MAHERU Orne - 20 km south-west of L'Aigle
The Allied underestimated the manoeuvre ability of the Germans
 Mid August 1944, the Allied Forces were at the eve of a great success in Normandy. The 7th German Army and the 5th Panzer-Armee were retreating toward the river Seine. But the Falaise pocket was not sealed and the Allied Supreme Headquarter underestimated the bulk of German troops who had not evacuated the kessel. Generals Montgomery and Bradley stopped two armoured divisions in front of Argentan, and ordered a wide south to the north envelopment manoeuvre along the river Seine. But again the Allied Commanders underestimated the Germans ability to cross the river Seine. The 1st American Army progressed from Dreux to Elbeuf. On 19 August, the 2nd Armoured Division under General Brooks started from Sées. The two Combat Commands advanced side by side. The 67th Tank Battalion crossed Moulin-la-Marche, then liberated Maheru in the movement, and came to a halt in the evening at Sainte-Anne.
  
     
   
 
     
 
Lobdell stele
 Stele in memory of Lieutenant Warren Russel Lobdell, pilot of the 366th Fighter Squadron of the 358th Fighter Group (9 th US Air Force), killed in his plane on 27 June 1944.
 Situation : on a parking near the church
  
   
   
ROAD MAP
 
INTERESTING WEB SITES

Personal web site about the 2rd US Armored Division
http://www.2ndarmoredhellonwheels.com/
Calvados departmental tourism office web site
http://www.calvados-tourisme.com/
Conseil général de l’Orne web site about the Department liberation
http://1944.orne.fr/
US Army official web site - US Army divisions structure
http://www.army.mil/cmh/lineage/cc/comp.htm
Personal web site about the German Army structure
http://web.telia.com/~u18313395/normandy/index.html

 
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