On the west side of the junction.

Plaque

A gate memorial wall bearing 4 plaques on which the bottom plaque mentions Cpl Clardy. It is written in French and gold lettering listing the names of two French soldiers and an American soldier, Corporal James Clardy.

On August 8, 1944, American Task Force ‘A’ drove the Germans to Ponthou after a brief fight and then moved through Pen ar C'ha, entering the town of Plouigneau. This marked the town's liberation. The Americans set up camp in a field in Kerbriand. That day was a celebration in Plouigneau.

The day after the liberation of Plouigneau, on August 9, 1944, a tragedy struck as a mist covered the area. A large column of Germans, including the 129th Ost-Battalion with many White Russian soldiers and seven women from Penvénan, arrived at Pen ar C'ha. At 6:30 a.m., an American soldier was shot while grooming, and another soldier, James Clardy, was killed when a jeep coming from Brest was targeted. The Germans went on a violent rampage, smashing doors and spreading terror. Resistance fighters from Botsorhel were arrested, tortured, and executed.

Three American tanks, led by Lieutenant Hamsley, arrived and initiated a battle. Reinforcements came by air at around 11:45 a.m., with eight planes taking off from Cherbourg under Captain Morisson's command, unleashing intense combat. By 12:30 p.m., the Germans had surrendered and were taken prisoner. In total, 180 people lost their lives.

Source of information: www.actu.fr

Source of photos: www.facebook.com, www.letelegramme.fr

En mémoire

des Morts au combat en ce lieu

le 9 Août 1944

Commandant Constant HEISER

Lieutenant Colonel Henri PRUVOT

Corporal James CLARDY

de l’ U.S Army

English translation: 

In Memory 

of those who died in combat in this place 

on August 9, 1944

Commander Constant HEISER

Lieutenant Colonel Henri PRUVOT

Corporal James CLARDY

of the U.S. Army