Liberation of Graignes Plaque -101st Airborne Division
Details:
Affixed on the east wall of the former church.
Two rectangular black plaques where the lower plaque lists the names and ranks of the American paratroopers who died from June 6 – 12, 1944, during the town’s liberation. Listed here are 50 names; 49 American soldiers and 1 Australian aviator who served with the RAAF.
The liberation of Graignes during World War II was marked by a tragic series of events. Initially, the village of Graignes, located in Normandy, became a significant site during the D-Day operations in June 1944. Due to a misdrop on June 6, 1944, paratroopers from the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division landed far from their intended drop zone and ended up in Graignes, deep behind enemy lines.
These American paratroopers, numbering around 182, decided to fortify and defend the village while awaiting reinforcements. With the help of the local villagers, they prepared defensive positions and repelled initial German attacks on June 10, 1944. The villagers of Graignes, led by their mayor, provided food, intelligence, and assistance in transporting equipment to the American soldiers, despite the grave risks.
On June 11, 1944, the Germans launched a fierce assault on Graignes, including an artillery barrage that killed several American officers and destroyed key defensive positions. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the American paratroopers managed to inflict significant casualties on the attacking forces. However, by the evening, the German forces, including elements of the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division, overwhelmed the village, leading to a desperate retreat by the remaining American soldiers.
The aftermath was brutal. After retaking Graignes, the Germans executed captured American soldiers, including those found at a makeshift aid station in the village church. They also targeted the civilians who had helped the Americans. A total of 44 villagers were killed by the Germans, accused of being collaborators. The Germans then burned the village, destroying homes, the church, and other buildings.
The events in Graignes stand out as a stark example of the brutality faced by both soldiers and civilians during the Normandy campaign. Despite the tragic outcome, the resistance in Graignes delayed the German advance, contributing to the success of the overall Allied invasion. The village was eventually liberated by Allied forces in mid-June 1944, after the intense fighting had moved on.
Source of information:
- en.wikipedia.org
- Some information provided is based on a historical summary of the events during the Battle of Graignes, which was part of the larger Battle of Normandy during World War II. Specific details are referenced from military history records and accounts of the 82nd Airborne Division's operations in Normandy.
Source of photo: www.memorialgenweb.org, en.wikipedia.org, www.findagrave.com
Monument Text:
IN MEMORY OF THOSE CITIZENS OF GRAIGNES
AND THE AMERICAN SOLDIERS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES
IN DEFENSE OF GRAIGNES DURING THE PERIOD 6 _12 JUNE 1944
_______________________________
EN MEMOIRE DES VICTIMES
DE LA LIBÉRATION DE GRAIGNES
First Column:
|
MAJOR |
CHARLES D. JOHNSTON |
|
CAPT. |
LOYAL K. BOGART |
|
CAPT. |
ABRAHAM SOPHIAN JR. |
|
LT. |
THOMAS O. AHMAD |
|
LT. |
ELMER F FARNHAM |
|
LT. |
ELMER F. HOFFMAN |
|
LT. |
LOWELL C. MAXWELL |
|
1/SGT |
FRANCIS J. MCCORMICK |
|
S/SGT. |
NELSON F. HORNBAKEP |
|
S/SGT. |
HARRY W. MURRAY |
|
SGT. |
MARVIN H. ALLEN |
|
SGT. |
GEORGE S. BARAGONA |
|
FLT.SGT. |
STANLEY K. BLACK(RAAF) |
|
SGT. |
BENTON J. BROUSSARD |
|
SGT. |
ROY M. CALLAHAN |
|
SGT. |
WALTER L. CHOQUETTE |
|
SGT. |
KENNETH B.GUNNING |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Second Column:
|
CPL. |
JESUS CASAS |
|
CPL. |
REUBEN F. LEMPKE |
|
CPL. |
WILLARD J. LUCAS |
|
CPL. |
JAMES M. NAFF |
|
CPL. |
LEO J. PACKHAM |
|
CPL. |
EDWARD J. PILLIS |
|
CPL. |
JESSE J. RUSHING |
|
CPL. |
THOMAS J. TRAVERS |
|
T/5 |
JOHN MCNALLY |
|
T/5 |
RICHARD E. REESE |
|
PFC. |
ALLISON T. BLISS |
|
PFC. |
ROBERT W. BRITTON |
|
PFC. |
GEORGE A. BROWN |
|
PFC. |
RICHARD J. HOFFMAN |
|
PFC. |
SHUFORD N. HUMPHRIES |
|
PFC. |
GRADY W. LLOYD |
Third Column:
|
PFC. |
WILLIAM H. LOVE |
|
PFC. |
ARNOLD J. MARTINEZ |
|
PFC. |
HUGH J. McFADDEN |
|
PFC. |
ROBERT R. MILLER |
|
PFC. |
JIMMIE S. MILLICAN |
|
PFC. |
JAMES A. NEBELING |
|
PFC. |
ROBERT S. NILES |
|
PFC. |
HAROLD J. PREMO |
|
PFC. |
STANLEY J. PYTEL |
|
PFC. |
LACY H. REAVES |
|
PFC. |
ROBERT P. ROCKWELL |
|
PFC. |
PETER SASS |
|
PFC. |
JOSEPH A. STACHOWIAK |
|
PFC. |
GEORGE E. TILLETT |
|
PFC. |
HERBERT WEISS |
|
PFC. |
CLARENCE P. WOODALL |
|
PFC. |
WALTER ZIELINSKI |
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
101st Airborne Division
17th Airborne Division
434th Troop Carrier Group
501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 17th Airborne Division
507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne
81st Airbourne Anti-Aircraft / Anit-Tank Battalion
82nd Airborne Division
United States Army
Wars:
WWII
Battles:
Battle of Graignes
Normandy Invasion
Other images :
