On the west side of the road.

Monument

A gray column dedicated to the 101st Airborne Division. The monument is a vertical structure with inscriptions in both English and French. At the top of the monument, there is an emblem of the 101st Airborne Division. Below the French inscription, there is an image of a military helmet of the 326^th Airborne Medical Company. The monument is set against a backdrop of greenery, with a gravel base around it. The monument marker reminds the location of the hospital.

During World War II, the 1st Airborne Surgical Team and the 326th Airborne Medical Company of the 101st Airborne Division were instrumental in establishing the first Allied surgical hospital on French soil during the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. As part of the 101st Airborne Division, also known as the "Screaming Eagles," their mission was to support the division’s operations by providing critical medical care close to the front lines.

The airborne operation on the night of June 5-6, 1944, was chaotic, with many soldiers landing far from their intended drop zones. Despite these challenges, the medical team regrouped near the Château de Colombière, outside Hiesville, Normandy. They quickly set up a forward surgical hospital within hours of landing, transforming the château into a functional medical facility. The team, composed of surgeons, nurses, anesthetists, and support staff, worked tirelessly under difficult conditions to treat the first wave of casualties, including both American and German soldiers.

Their ability to provide advanced medical care so close to the front lines was a critical factor in the success of the D-Day invasion, saving countless lives and enabling many soldiers to return to duty quickly. The efforts of the 1st Airborne Surgical Team and the 326th Airborne Medical Company have been commemorated as a testament to the bravery and dedication of military medical personnel during the war.

Source of information:

• Ambrose, Stephen E. D-Day, June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II. Simon & Schuster, 1994.
• Carew, Michael G. The 101st Airborne Division's Role in the Normandy Invasion: A Historical Analysis. Army University Press, 2019.

Source of photos: en.kilroytrip.fr, www.memorialgenweb.org

Upper part:

IN TRIBUTE TO THE

101st AIRBORNE DIVISION

WHO ESTABLISHED HERE,

AT THE CHATÉAU

DE COLOMBIERE, THE FIRST

ALLIED SURGICAL

HOSPITAL ON THE

NORMANDY SOIL ON

JUNE 6th 1944

Lower part:

EN HOMMAGE À LA

101e DIVISION AEROPORTEE

QUE ETABLIT ICI.

AU CHATEAU DE

COLOMBIERE,

LE PREMIER HOSPITAL

DIVISIONNAIRE ALLIE

SUR LE SOL NORMAND

LE 6 JUN 1944