Destruction of Pont du Gauthard (Mazamet Bridge) - OSS Group PAT
Details:
On the west back of the river bridge support; the two lower plaques.
The memorial consists of two inscribed plaques.
The plaques remember the destruction of the Post du Gaithard (Or Mazamet Bridge) on August 15, 1944 by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Operational Group Pat, lead by Captain Conrad LaGueux. The operation was in preparation of Operation Dragoon landings.
Monument Text:
The text on the plaques are written in French and English.
The Upper Plaque reads in French:
SABOTAGE DU PONT DU GAUTHARD - 15 AOÛT 1944
En liaison quotidienne avec l'Etat-Major des Armées Alliées à Alger, le Capitaine U.S. Conrad LAGUEUX, Chef du Commando Américain (*) doit
engager une action sur la ligne SNCF CASTRES-BEDARIEUX. Le pont du Gauthard sur le Thoré, d'accès facile est choisi comme cible.
Dans la nuit du lundi au mardi 15 août 1944, après avoir neutralisé les deux hommes de garde sur le pont, le Commando Américain assisté du Peloton Weil du CORPS FRANC DU SIDOBRE, fait sauter l'arche centrale du pont de la voie ferrée, coupant ainsi aux troupes allemandes toute possibilité de repli en train par la voie méditerranéenne.
Dans les heures qui suivent, les Forces Françaises de la 1ère Armée Française débarquent en Provence à Fréjus.
English Translation:
SABOTAGE OF THE GAUTHARD BRIDGE - AUGUST 15, 1944
In daily liaison with the General Staff of the Allied Armies in Algiers, Captain U.S. Conrad LAGUEUX, Chief of the American Commando (*) must
take action on the SNCF CASTRES-BEDARIEUX line. The Gauthard bridge over the Thoré, with easy access, was chosen as the target.
During the night of Monday to Tuesday August 15, 1944, after having neutralized the two men on guard on the bridge, the American Commando assisted by the Weil Platoon of the CORPS FRANC DU SIDOBRE, blew up the central arch of the railway bridge, cutting thus giving German troops every possibility of withdrawal by train via the Mediterranean route.
In the hours that followed, the French Forces of the 1st French Army landed in Provence at Fréjus.
The English on the upper plaque reads:
OSS Symbol
FRENCH OPERATIONAL GROUP -ALGIERS TO FRANCE- SECTION: PAT
Night of 14-15 August: With the bridge at Mazamet selected for destruction, bus FRANC DU SIDOBRE carrying the Section and explosives (C2) stopped a quarter mile from the target. Two old Frenchmen guarding the bridge were blindfolded and put into the bus. Charges were applied to the bridge, Cap LaGueux pulled the 30 minute time pencil, the bus reloaded and from a safe distance the explosion was heard. The two guards were released. Subsequently, the Section learned bridge GAUTHARD was destroyed.
Echoing of the bridge being destroyed.
LOWER Plaque or Borne
The lower plaque is inscribed in French and reads:
OFFICE OF STRATEGIC SERVICE
OSS
SECTION PAT
SABOTAGE
15 Août 1944
Débarquement Fréjus
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
2671st Special Reconnaissance Battalion
Office of Strategic Services (OSS)
OSS
OSS Operational Group PAT
OSS- French Operational Group
Wars:
WWII
Battles:
Operation Anvil Dragoon
Other images :
