PONT-DE-LA-ROQUE
Manche
- 6 km west of Coutances
The Germans withdrew with the Americans on their heels
After the breakthrough of the Operation Cobra the Americans
launched the pursuit. On 27 July the 1st Infantry Division and the
CCB of the 3rd Armoured Division moved ahead on Saint-Lô road
toward Coutances. The purpose was to encircle the German forces
north of Coutances. But the city was not attained in the evening.
The Germans withdrew to Brehal with the 6th and 4th Armoured Divisions
on their heels. On 28 July the 4th Armoured Division liberated Coutances,
while the CCB of the 2nd Armoured Division reached the river Sienne.
The Germans had heavy defensive battle, General Hausser 7th Army's
Commander in chief missed to be captured near Gavray. At Pont-de-la-Roque
Allied Airforce attempted to blow the bridge over the river Sienne
to prevent the Germans 's retreat. The bridge was destroyed after
several attacks, but a Canadian pilot's aircraft is shot down and
the Germans crossed the river. During the night of 29 to 30 July
the 6th Armoured Division and the 79th Infantry Division spanned
the river Sienne on an engineer bridge. |
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Bridge stele
