Colomby 90th Infantry Division Monument
Details:
On the west side of the road.
Monument
A stone cross monument set atop a pedestal of rough-hewn stone blocks, honoring the 90th Infantry Division who liberated the town on June 17, 1944. The monument features the division’s insignia and has an inscription in French.
The 90th Infantry Division, specifically the 358th Infantry Regiment under Lieutenant Colonel Jacob W. Bealke, engaged in intense fighting to seize control of this strategically positioned village. By the time they reached Colomby, German forces, primarily from the 91st Infantry Division’s Grenadier Regiment 1057, were retreating. Despite the German resistance, the American troops managed to secure the village by the end of the day.
After liberating Colomby, the soldiers of the 358th Infantry dug defensive positions to hold their ground overnight, remaining stationed there until June 18 before resuming their push northward. The site later became a temporary command post for Major General Ira T. Wyche of the 79th Infantry Division, which helped consolidate Allied control in the region before moving further inland.
Source of information: www.dday-overlord.com
Monument Text:
ICI
LE 17 JUIN 1944
COMMENCA
LA LIBERATION
DE COLOMBY
PAR LA
90TH D.I.U.S
English Translation:
HERE
ON JUNE 17, 1944
BEGAN
THE LIBERATION
OF COLOMBY
BY THE
90TH INFANTRY DIVISION
Commemorates:
Units:
358th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division
90th Infantry Division
United States Army
Wars:
WWII
Battles:
Normandy Invasion