Affixed on the right side of the town war memorial.

Plaque

A rectangular granite plaque written in French commemorates the three American soldiers who were killed in the area on July 27, 1944. Sgt Drake, along with Pvt Duncan and Pvt Roberts, were members of Company B, 82nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Armored Division. The 2nd Armored Division, also known as "Hell on Wheels".

On July 27, 1944, during the Battle of Normandy, Company B was tasked with advancing through the French countryside as part of a broader Allied effort to push German forces out of occupied France. The soldiers faced stiff resistance from well-entrenched German units, including formidable Panther tanks (Panzer V), which were known for their powerful 75mm guns and thick armor.

During the operation near Quibou, the unit attempted to bypass a Panther tank that was blocking their advance. As the vehicles of Company B sped past the tank, one of their M8 Greyhound armored cars was hit by a direct 75mm shell from the Panther. The explosion was catastrophic, killing Sgt Drake, Pvt Duncan, and Pvt Roberts instantly. The Panther tank that caused their deaths was soon after destroyed by Allied P-47 Thunderbolt fighter-bombers, which had been called in for air support. This destruction of the German tank allowed the rest of Company B and other Allied forces to continue their advance.

Source of information: D-Day Overlord

Source of photo: www.memorialgenweb.org

A la mémoire des 

Sergent Dallis A. DRAKE 

Soldat Charles S. DUNCAN 

Soldat Hubert G. ROBERTS 

de l'U-S-ARMY 

morts au combat à QUIBOU 

le 27 juillet 1944

English Translation:

In memory of 

Sergeant Dallis A. DRAKE 

Private Charles S. DUNCAN 

Private Hubert G. ROBERTS 

of the US ARMY 

killed in combat at QUIBOU 

on July 27, 1944