       |
 |
| |
MORTAIN/SOURDEVAL
Manche
- 25 km south of Vire
The last chance offensive for the Germans
After
the capture of Avranches on 31 July 1944 the Allied Forces sent out
spearheads both toward Brittany and the east. As the American supply
corridor was still narrow, Hitler decided to launch an offensive.
The Operation Lüttich objective was to cut off the American Army,
then to push back the front line northward and destroy the divisions
lacking of petrol committed in Brittany. On 7 August at midnight the
XXXXVIIth Panzer-Korps under General Von Funck attacked toward Mortain
liberated by the Americans on 3rd August. The 2nd Panzer-Division
progressed about ten kilometers, but to the north the 116th Panzer-Division
stayed motionless, and to the south the
2nd SS Panzer-Division was stopped. Mortain was taken back by grenadiere
of the 17th SS Panzer-Grenadier Division. A battalion of the 120th
Regiment of the 30th Infantry Division was encircled by the SS troops
on hill 314. At midday the Germans were still twenty kilometers away
from Avranches. On 8 August a heavy artillery fire stormed Sourdeval.
General Collins engaged reinforcement and commited heavy artillery
concentation and air support. On 11 August the Germans pulled back,
the 35th American Infantry Division entered Mortain the next day.
Sourdeval was liberated on 12 August by the 28th Infantry Division. |
|
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
30th Infantry Division
monument
Mortain
Monument
is dedicated to the soldiers of the 30th American infantry division;
units of this division resisted on hill 314 during five days
encircled by the Germans, from 8 August to 14 August before
being liberated.
Situation : south of the city
(hill 314) road toward Rancoudray, near Saint-Michel chapel
|
|
|
|
 |
|
120th Infantry Regiment
Plaque and SHAEF stained glass window
Mortain
Plaque
in memory of the 120th Infantry Regiment 2nd Battalion
who fought on this hill from 7 to 14 August 1944. Over
the entrance, a stained glass window represents the Supreme
Headquarter Army Expeditionnary embleme.
Situation : in Saint-Michel
chapel, south of the city (hill 314)
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
28th Infantry Division monument
Sourdeval
Monument
in memory of the 28th American Infantry Division's soldiers who liberated
the city on 13 August 1944.
Situation
: in front of the city hall
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
3rd Armoured Division plaque
Mortain
Plaque
commemorating the fighting of the 3rd Armoured Division CCB, in support
of the 30th Infantry Division during the Operation Lüttich.
Situation : facing the tourism office,
sealed in a wall in front of Saint-Evroult church
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ROAD
MAP |
 |
|
|
|
|
