SAINT-CLAIR-SUR-L'ELLE Manche - 10 km north of Saint-Lô
The 29th Infantry Division spanned the rivers Aure and Elle
The 29th Infantry Division reached Omaha Beach on 6 June 1944 at 6:30 a. m. The landing of the first and second assault waves were a terrible slaughter. Troops were pinned down on the beaches by German guns and machine-guns. The support of tanks and bravery of men leaded by determined officers cracked open the gate. General Cota commanding his men overcame the German defenses. From 8 June progression was easier, the 29th Infantry Division liberated the Rangers beleaguered in La Pointe du Hoc, and joined the British near Port-en-Bessin. On 9 June the Americans moved to the west and attained Isigny-sur-Mer; southward they spanned the river Aure marshes. The Germans withdrew everywhere. On 10 July the 115th Regimental Combat Team of the 29th Infantry Division poured into Sainte-Marguerite-d’Elle. On 12 July the Vth Corps launched an offensive toward Saint-Lô. The 115th RCT failed to cross the river Elle in Saint-Jean de Savigny. The 116th RCT brokethrough in Sainte-Marguerite-d’Elle, the 2nd Battalion liberated Saint-Clair-sur-L’Elle at nightfall.
   
 
 
   
 
29th Infantry Division monument
Monument dedicated to officers, noncommissioned officers and soldiers of the 29th Infantry Division, commanded by General Charles Gerhardt. On the wall are embeded several commemoratives plaques of soldiers of the 29th Infantry Division.
Situation : 2 km east of the town, at the crossroads of D192 and D54
 
 
  29th Infantry Division monument
Monument in memory of soldiers of the 29th Infantry Division who fought in Normandy and liberated several towns in the area.
Situation : south of Saint-Jean-de-Savigny, at the crossroads of D6 and D54
ROAD MAP
 
INTERESTING WEB SITES

Manche departmental tourism office web site
http://www.manchetourisme.com/
Association web site about the 29th US Infantry Division
http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/bunker/2629/index1.html
Personal web site about the German Army (in German)
http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/inhaltsverzeichnis1.htm
Personal web site about the German Army structure
http://web.telia.com/~u18313395/normandy/index.html

 
All rights of photos, texts, maps and graphics design are reserved