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MEAUTIS
Manche
- 10 km south of Carentan
The German soldiers held the ground under fire
On
12 June 1944, the Americans parachutists of the 101st Airborne Division
had just liberated Carentan. But the city was the link between Utah
and Omaha Beach, the two American landing beaches. The Germans counter-attacked
the next day to take back this strategic objective. On 13 June in
the morning, German parachutists commanded by Lieutenant-colonel von
der Heydte and Regiment 37 of the 17th SS Panzer-Grenadiere Division
started the assault. The Germans reached the railway station, but
their progression was stemmed by American tanks and artillery. The
American parachutists and the 2nd Armoured Division under General
Ross striked back. The SS troops opposed furious resistance but suffered
heavy losses and had to pull back. At the end of the day, the new
front line drew a few hundred meters south of Méautis.
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General Roosevelt plaque
Plaque
honouring General Theodore Roosevelt, Second in command of the
4th Infantry Division, who died of heart-attack during the fighting,
on 13 July 1944.
Situation : on the War Memorial,
in front of the church
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50th Combat Group and A17 airfield stele
Stele
dedicated to the 50th Combat Group of the 9th US Air force,
who took off from this advanced airfield. A17 was built
by the 840th Air Engineer Battalion and was operational
from 16 August to 15 September 1944.
Situation : at the edge of
the D 443 road, at Méautis exit toward Carentan |
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ROAD
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