Affixed on the right wall of the entrance gate.

Plaque

A rectangular granite plaque inscribed in French, commemorating the surrender of Cherbourg on June 26, 1944, during World War II. The text on the plaque honors the key military figures involved in the surrender, specifically:

• General J. Lawton Collins, the commander of the U.S. VII Corps of the Allied forces.
• General von Schlieben, the Commander-in-Chief of the Cherbourg Fortress.
• Admiral Walter Hennecke, another high-ranking German official involved in the surrender.

This plaque resides at Château de Servigny, marking the historic site where the German forces officially surrendered Cherbourg to the Allies.

The surrender of Cherbourg to the Allies occurred on June 26, 1944, following the successful D-Day landings in Normandy. Cherbourg, a vital deep-water port on the northern coast of France, was a key objective for the Allies, as securing it would allow for the efficient supply of troops and materials necessary for their continued advance into Nazi-occupied Europe.

After fierce fighting and heavy bombardment, American forces, led by General J. Lawton Collins of the U.S. VII Corps, encircled Cherbourg, trapping the German defenders. The German commander, General von Schlieben, and his forces were outnumbered, and after days of intense combat, they were forced to surrender.

On June 26, 1944, at the Château de Servigny, General von Schlieben, along with Admiral Walter Hennecke, signed the formal surrender to General Collins. This marked a critical turning point in the Normandy Campaign, as Cherbourg’s port was essential for Allied logistics, enabling the landing of supplies and reinforcements, ultimately contributing to the liberation of France from Nazi control.

The fall of Cherbourg was a major victory for the Allies, solidifying their foothold in northern France and helping to pave the way for further advances across Europe.

Source of information:

• "D-Day: The Battle for Normandy" by Antony Beevor
• "Normandy Invasion" (Encyclopaedia Britannica)

Source of photos: fr.wikipedia.org

EN CETTE DEMEURE, FUT SIGNEE

LE 26 JUIN 1944

LA REDDITION DE CHERBOURG

PARLE GENERAL J. LAWTON COLLINS

COMMANDANT LE VIIe CORPS D'ARMEE,

LE GENERAL VON SCHLIBEN

COMMANDANT EN CHEF DE LA

FORTERESSE DE CHERBOURG

ET L'AMIRAL WALTER HENNECKE

English Translation:

IN THIS HOUSE, WAS SIGNED

ON JUNE 26TH 1944

THE SURRENDER OF CHERBOURG

BY GENERAL J. LAWTON COLLINS

COMMANDING THE VII ARMY CORPS,

GENERAL VON SCHLIBEN

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE

CHERBOURG FORTRESS

AND ADMIRAL WALTER HENNECKE