On the east side of the road under the bridge.

A rectangular blue plaque supported by two metal poles inscribed in English and French in printed and white lettering. On the top of the inscription are the images of the Flag of Free France and the flag of the USA. This plaque is a common tribute to the action of the US commando (OSS “Emily”) who dynamited the viaduct and the logistical support brought to them by the FTP (Francs-tireurs et partisans ) of the Cuzance maquis.

In 1944, a German armored train, stationed at Brive station, terrorized the line between Brive and Cahors, being able to attack the Resistance at any time. To neutralize this convoy, it was necessary to cut the track and blow up the Souillac viaduct. On August 2, the Americans, who possessed the technique and the explosives, acted. There were no more than 2 or 3 for the sabotage, but FTP teams were posted to secure the sector and prevent any danger. After the explosion, the metal span of the bridge, although it could no longer support the weight of a locomotive, would have remained in balance. The FTPs came back the next day to complete the work and throw the metal work on the ground. Only the metal part of the structure had been dynamited, to allow easier reconstruction afterward.

Source of information: www.ladepeche.fr

Les 2 et 3 août 1944, un groupe opérationnel de l'OSS

américain «Emily » a participé avec l'unité FTP de Cuzance

au sabotage de ce viaduc rendant impossible la circulation

des trains blindés des forces d'occupation.

On August 2 and 3,1944, the American OSS group "Emily"

and the Frénch Resistance sabotaged this viaduct, preventing the

occupying forces from circulating armored trains.

Erigée par « Américains dans le Lot »

avec le soutien de The OSS Society et

la Commune de Lachapelle-Auzac.

English translation: