The plaque is mounted on the wall at the top-left corner of the parking lot, beside a gate, when you are facing the parking area from Rue Pierre Mendès France road.

Plaque

A square black plaque written in French in gold lettering with the 5^th Infantry Division insignia on the top side of the plaque. Listed on the plaque are 4 American soldiers who died during the town’s liberation. On August 7, 1944, American forces, part of General Patton's Third Army, faced fierce resistance from German troops at the anti-tank ditch and in the town, leading to American casualties including Sgt Rice, T4 Anderson, T5 Smartt, and Pfc Klug which led to a temporary withdrawal. Fighting resumed on August 8, with the Germans burning farms and killing civilians. The Allies, supported by air strikes, gradually pushed the Germans back. The German retreat began on August 10, marking the end of intense hostilities in Avrillé.

Source of information and photo: www.ouest-france.fr

En hommage aux premiers soldats américains 

tombés pour notre liberté lors de la libération 

d 'Angers dans la nuit du 7 au 8 août 1944

S/Sgt Jesse RICE 

Tech 4 Kenneth ANDERSON 

Tech 5 Kenneth SMARTT 

Pfc Arthur KLUG

SUPPLY SECTION de la 

5^th  CAVALRY RECONNAISSANCE TROOP (Mecz) 

5^th  Infantry Division « Red Diamond »

English Translation:

In tribute to the first American soldiers 

who fell for our freedom during the liberation 

of Angers on the night of August 7 to 8, 1944

S/Sgt Jesse RICE 

Tech 4 Kenneth ANDERSON 

Tech 5 Kenneth SMARTT 

Pfc Arthur KLUG

SUPPLY SECTION of the 

5th CAVALRY RECONNAISSANCE TROOP (Mecz) 

5th Infantry Division “Red Diamond”