SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 2004
NORMANDY - LA FIERE MEMORIAL PARK

Park information board reads:
This park created by The Friends of American Veterans of Ste. Mere Eglise in 1984 in memory of the solders of the U.S.  82nd, 101st Para. divisions..
   In the heart of the marshes of Sainte Mere Eglise, a presents [sic] watches.  To all of those who gave their life for our freedom we offer a token of recognition and may eyes follow those of this soldier.

LA FIERE BATTLE
(Text from sign board)

   You will discover the “FIERE CAUQUIGNY” battlefields, the route which crossed the road at this point, which was one of two possibilities for getting across the flooded area.
   The strategic interest of this passage had been recognized since the beginning of the middle ages and a feudal mote [sic], whose remains are still visible, guarded the access. The memorial park was established on the western slope of the steep hillside.
   It was essential that the Allies take control of the passage at dawn on D-Day, in order to secure, initially, the Utah Beach bridgehead and to permit thereafter the breakout from the west face of the peninsula of the “Cotentin”.
   The morning of 6 June, the American airborne troops, after having assembled, established defensive positions on the east bank of the Merderet. By late morning, the German forces, supported by several tanks, attempted to retake control of the bridge, but were unsuccessful.  In the afternoon, a new German assault also failed.
   On 7 and 8 June, the Americans reinforced their position despite German artillery fires.
   At 1030 hours on 9 June, the fighters of the 82nd Airborne Division took permanent control of the causeway and west bank, after heavy fighting around of Cauquigny.
   From the 9th to the 13th, the Americans consolidated their positions on the west bank of the Merderet.
   On 14 June the 82nd Airborne Division relieved the 90th Infantry Division, arriving from Chef du Pont, near Picauville, and continued its advance towards Saint Saveur le Vicomte, which was liberated on 17 June.
   The division of the Cotentin was achieved at Barneville on 11 June.
   Cherbourg was now isolated from the bulk of the German forces. The port fell into Allied [hands] on 28 June.