Located in the southwest end of the parking lot on the grassy area closest to the bridge.
Monument
The monument is a pyramid-shaped stone placed on top of a 2 by 2 meter rough concrete base. On one side of the monument, the date of the liberation of Thionville (September 1, 1944) is written in French. Another side contains a carving of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment's insignia. On the third side, there is a carving of the crest of Thionville. At the base of the monument's three sides, there are triangular crests that curve up then out away from the monument. Each of these contains lights that light up the monument at night. On the ground in front the monument, there is a black granite plaque with gold leaf text mounted on a concrete base.
This monument commemorates the brave men of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, who conducted a raid in conjunction with XX Corps on the heavily fortified German position located in the city across the bridge. The monument also commemorates, in particular, General (then Colonel) James Hilliard Polk, who was commander of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, Lt. James D. Jackson, who led the 3rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, consisting of 3 armored cars and 6 jeeps, to the Moselle bridge where he was shot twice while cutting demolition wires, and Sgt. Fred W.T. Baker, who gave his life trying to save wounded Lt. Jackson. All three of their names are carved into the base of the monument.
Not only was this raid pivotal for General Patton's Third Army's advance, it liberated the city of Thionville from German occupation.
CETTE STELE A ETE INAUGUREE LE 11 NOVEMBRE 2004
LORS DU 60EME ANNIVERSAIRE DE LA LIBERATION DE THIONVILLE
PAR
LE Dr JEAN-MARIE DEMANGE
DEPUTE-MAIRE DE THIONVILLE
EN PRESENCE
DU GENERAL RAYMOND BELL
ANCIEN OFFICIER DU 3EME REGIMENT U.S. DE CAVALERIE
EN HOMMAGE
AUX HOMMES DU 3EME REGIMENT U.S. DE CAVALERIE
QUI, AU PERIL DE LEUR VIE,
ONT FRANCHI LES LIGNES ENNEMIE ET TENU LE
PONT DES ALLIES TOUTE LA JOURNEE DU 1er SEPTEMBRE 1944
Sergent BAKER
Lt. JACKSON
Colonel J. POLK
English Translation
THIS MONUMENT WAS INAUGURATED NOVEMBER 11, 2004
DURING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIBERATION OF THIONVILLE
BY
THE Dr. JEAN-MARIE DEMANGE
DEPUTY MAYOR OF THIONVILLE
IN THE PRESENCE
GENERAL RAYMOND BELL
FORMER OFFICER OF THE 3RD U.S. CAVALRY REGIMENT
IN TRIBUTE
TO THE MEN OF THE 3RD U.S. CAVALRY REGIMENT
WHO, IN DANGER OF LOSING THEIR LIVES,
CROSSED ENEMY LINES AND HELD
THE BRIDGE OF ALLIES ALL DAY SEPTEMBER 1st 1944
Sergeant BAKER
Lt. JACKSON
Colonel J. POLK
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)