Home
What's New
Search Engine
Archives
Odyssey
Photo Gallery
Unit History
Unit Honors
TAPS
Voices Of Past
Association
How To Submit


Up France (2) France (3) France (4)) France (5) France (6)
 
LAFIERE MEMORIAL
THE BATTLE FOR LA FIÈRE BRIDGEHEAD 6-9 JUNE 1944

The area encompassing La Fière bridge and the causeway together and the sister bridge and causeway ay Chef du Pont were strategic objectives for the entire Eastern portion of the Normandy invasion.  From, 6 June to 9 June the battle raged within sight of this place.  As a final "all in" assault 10h30 on 9 June the causeway and bridgehead at Cauquigny church were seized by elements of 82nd Airborne supported by elements of 4th and 9th Infantry divisions the 746t [sic] tank division battalion.

For the Normandy campaign the 82nd Airborne awarded and estimated
38 Distinguished Service Cross
271 Silver Stars
925 Bronze Stars
5,209 Purple Hearts
One congressional Medal of Honor was awarded to PFC Charles DeGlopper for actions within sight of this monument.

PRIMARY UNIT ENGAGED WITHIN SIGHT OF THIS LOCATION INCLUDE:
1ST Bn 505 PIR
507TH PIR
508TH PIR
G3-325 GIR / 2d BN401st GIR
325 (-) GIR
307th Abn Engr Bn
80th AAA Bn (Anti-tank)
Command Group, 82nd Abn Division

APPROXIMATE CASUALTIES AT AND NEAR THIS LOCATION
Killed 254 - wounded 525

"One of the most hotly contested pieces of ground in WW2"
(SLA Marshall - US Army historian)

THE SOUL OF THE AIRBORNE RESIDES IN THIS PLACE