29th Infantry Division Wall of Remembrance
Details:
Affixed to the very center of the wall.
Plaque
A rectangular bronze plaque mounted on a stone wall, featuring embossed lettering in both French and English. The Wall of Remembrance Association, founded in 1997, built this monument to honor the soldiers of the 29th Infantry Division. The wall features around sixty plaques, with one commemorating the 20,400 casualties suffered by the division during their European campaign, half of which occurred in Normandy.
After the D-Day landings on Omaha Beach, the 29th Infantry Division played a key role in a crucial battle known as the Battle of the Hedgerows. This battle took place in the difficult terrain of Normandy, where the division faced strong German defenses hidden in thick, bushy hedgerows.
The fighting began near the Elle River, and a significant point of the battle was at a crossroads in the small village of St. Jean de Savigny. From there, the 29th Infantry Division continued to advance, pushing through towns like St. Lo and Vire, which were important for moving deeper into France. Their efforts eventually led them to the Elbe River in Germany, marking their important contributions to the success of the Allied forces during World War II.
Source of information: www.normandie44lamemoire.com
Source of photos: www.google.com/maps
Monument Text:
FOLLOWING THE D-DAY LANDINGS ON OMAHA BEACH, THE
U.S. 29TH INFANTRY DIVISION BEGAN THE BATTLE OF THE
HEDGEROWS AT THE ELLE RIVER. THE CROSSROAD AT ST. JEAN
DE SAVIGNY MARKS THE CENTER OF THE ADVANCE OF THE
DIVISION TO THE THAT WAS TO GO THROUGH ST. LO, VIRE BRITTANY AND ON THE ELBE RIVER.
APRES LE DEBARQUEMENT DU JOUR J A OMAHA BEACH LA
29EME DIVISION D'INFANTERIE AMERICAINE EST ENGAGEE DANS
LA BATAILLE DES HAIES A PARTIR DE LA RIVIERE ELLE. LE
CARREFOUR DE ST JEAN DE SAVIGNY MARQUE LE CENTRE DE
L'AVANCEMENT DE LA DIVISION QUI ALLAIT TRAVERSER PAR ST. LO, VIRE, ET LA BRETAGNE JUSQU'A LA RIVIERE ELBE.
29TH DIVISION ASSOCIATION
