QUETTREVILLE-SUR-SIENNE Manche - 10 km south of Coutances
The Americans cracked open Avranches gate
Nothing could stop the onrush of the american tanks at the end of July 1944. The 1st American army aimed to exploite the Operation Cobra breakthrough. On 28 July the 4th Armoured Division under General Wood liberated Coutances. As a result all German forces facing the VIIIth Corps started the first stage of the retreat. In the same day the CCB of the 2nd Armoured Division passed through Saint Denis-le-Gast, to the south, and reached Lengronne. In the area of Roncey several German divisions were nearly encircled. Germans attempted to pierce through Cérences, Saint Denis-le-Gast and Cerisy-la-Salle. In the night of 29 to 30 July the 6th Armoured Division and the 79th Infantry Division spanned the river Sienne at Pont-de-la-Roque. The Americans carried out the pursuit of German divisions remnants moving along the coast toward Bréhal. The CCB commanded by Colonel Read drove on the coastal road, while the CCA of Brigadier General Taylor progressed on the N 171 road. The CCB crossed Quettreville-sur-Sienne during the night. In the morning of 29 July General von Choltitz who commanded the LXXXXIVe Corps is replaced by General Elfeldt.
   
 
RAF pilots stele
Stele in memory of the pilots of a Mosquito bomber of the Royal Air Force shot down in this place on 7 August 1944.
Situation : at the edge of the D49 road, 1km west of the city, la Rampotière locality
 
   
ROAD MAP
 
INTERESTING WEB SITES

Personal web site about the 2nd US Armored Division
http://www.2ndarmoredhellonwheels.com/
Manche departmental tourism office web site
http://www.manchetourisme.com/
Personal web site about the World War II generals
http://www.generals.dk/
US Army official web site – US Army divisions structure
http://www.army.mil/cmh/lineage/cc/comp.htm
 
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