On the east side of the road, across from the church. This is a few steps to the south of the monument for them.

A rectangular panel with white background, supported by two poles, featuring Robert Wright and Ken Moore, medics of the 2^nd Battalion, 501^st Parachute Infantry Regiment. The info sign is written in English and is also printed with the photos of Colonel Johnson, the two mentioned medics, and the Angoville au Plain in June 1944.

Angoville au Plain and Drop Zone D

Drop Zone D was the southernmost DZ of the 10st Airborne Divison on D-Day. A scattered parachute jump into flooded fields and a confusing network of bocage hedgerows, lanes and farm hamlets gave the men of the 1st and 2nd battalions of 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment many problems on June 6th and the following days. Colonel Howard "Jumpy" Johnson the Regimental Commander and his 1st Battalion were to seize and hold the bridges and locks 2 miles south of Angoville, and the 2nd Battalion under LTC Robert Ballard not only found themselves fighting stubborn German resistance in the Addeville and Les Droueries areas, but also tried to move out towards Saint Come du Mont and provide additional troops for Johnson at "Hells Corner." The fighting continued unabated for over 48 hours with many areas changing bands several times in the fighting. Small groups of outnumbered American paratroops held their own against a determined and vicious enemy, especially the Fallshirmjager, Germany's own elite Paratroops most of whom were combat veterans. For many years the bitter and important fighting here has been overlooked as visitors have concentrated in the Sainte Merel Eglise area made famous in movies. Johnson's 501st earned a fearsome reputation in the fields and hamlets beyond where you stand and their valiant story is worth investigating further.

The Church A haven of Peace in the middle of terrible combat

Located on a crossroads and being a pre-planned assembly area, as the combat raged casualties began to arrive in large numbers. Two 2nd Battalion medics Robert E Wright from Ohio and Kenneth J Moore of California worked tirelessly inside the church for 2 nights and days to save lives. Several dozen men were treated and both men were awarded the Silver Star for their devotion to duty. Not that Angoville escaped death completely, two paratroopers died in the church of their wounds, and many more were to lose their lives within just yards of where you are standing. Neither was this the only aid-station in the area, a few hundred yards south of here the 501st Catholic Priest Father Sampson looked after over a dozen American casualties, continuing through heavy shelling and at one point narrowly avoiding being lined up against a wall and shot by the enemy.

The Church Today

The church is one of the oldest in the region. It took considerable damage during the battle, all of the original medieval windows being blown out and at least one enemy shell coming through the roof. With a population of less than 100 people the villagers have been slowly raising money for years to restore the church to it's former glory and at the same time honor the men who fought here for the freedom we enjoy today. The stonework, stained-glass windows and woodwork inside are being replaced and this continues thanks only to the devotion and efforts of people both here in Europe and all over the world. A donation box can be found in the church to the left of the Alter, below the glass images of the two medics.

Monuments and Further History

The main monument in Angoville honours both Robert tWright and Kenneth Moore and also all their comrades in the 501st PIR. In 2005 the area in front of the church was renamed 'Place Toccoa in tribute to the many paratroopers who trained In the small Georgia town during the war and the stone monument is now a permanent link between the communities from either side of the Atlantic.

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Paul Woodadge, battlefield guide and author of Angels of Mercy

Historical Advisor - Mark Bando, historian and author