SEES Orne - 22 km south-east of Argentan
The French aroused the Americans's anger
On 12 August 1944 the population of Alençon awoke in the ealy morning in a liberated city. The capture of Alençon by the 2nd Armoured Division under General Leclerc upseted General Eberbach strategy, who attempted to reorganize a front line south of the Falaise pocket. The 116th Panzer-Division was assigned the mission to occupy the area of the river Orne. But the Germans suffered losses when they arrived at the north gate of Alençon where the French had installed a defensive display. Without further ado General Leclerc launched his combat commands northward, Putz column advanced toward Sées skirting east of Écouves forest. Easter the 5th American Armoured Division under Major General Oliver entered Le Mans. General Regnier's Combat Command A penetrated in Sées around 10 a. m. preceding the Panzergrenadier Regiment of the 116th Panzer-Division. But without any tank or artillery support the Germans were pushed back. One hour later the arrival of Putz column caused a huge traffic jam and aroused the Americans's anger. Intervention of general Haislip who commanded the XVth Corps was required to settle the disagreement.
 
 
     
 
Liberation plaque
Plaque commemorating the liberation of sées on 12 August 1944 by the Allied Forces. It remembers the meeting between the Americans of the 5th Armoured Division and the 79th Infantry Division, the French of the 2nd Armoured Division under General Leclerc, the commander of the Orne FFI (French Resistance) and the mayor of Sées.
Situation : on the wall of the city hall
  
   
  Canadian pilots monument
Monument dedicated to the crew of a Canadian bomber shot down by the German anti-aircraft artillery on 23 May 1944. The six members of the crew were between 20 and 28 years old.
Situation : at the northern exit of the city, take to the right at the calvary, drive along 2 km the D50 road, the monument is at the left of the road
   
ROAD MAP
 
INTERESTING WEB SITES

Orne departmental tourism office web site
http://www.ornetourisme.com/
Personal web site about 2nd Armoured Division
http://www.marechal-leclerc.fr.st
Personal web page about 2nd Armoured Division
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/stephane.delogu/division-leclerc.html
Conseil général de l’Orne web site about the liberation of the départment
http://1944.orne.fr/
Personal web site about the French Sherman tanks
http://www.chars-francais.net/listing_m4.htm
 
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