On the west side of the road.

Monument

A rough-hewn stone monument bearing three rectangular black plaques commemorating the fierce fighting that took place in the village of Marolles-les-Braults on August 9-10, 1944, during World War II. It honors the memory of the American soldiers who lost their lives during the battle, as well as local civilians Mr. and Mrs. Louis Letay. The plaque is written in French. The stele was inaugurated in August 1945 to commemorate this deadly battle, near the Effe bridge.

On the night of August 9, 1944, the town's residents heard machine-gun fire, signaling the return of German forces who had briefly left. On August 10, 1944, the Germans had set up defenses, engaging in heavy combat with American forces approaching from nearby towns like Bonnétable and Ballon.

Fires broke out, and enemy tanks blocked rescue efforts, leading to a fierce battle involving infantry, tanks, and airstrikes. Around 7:30 a.m., the fighting escalated, with the German 9th Panzer Division reinforcing their positions. Thunderbolt aircraft attacked German defenses, and the battle raged for over four hours until the Germans were forced to evacuate under American fire.

By 11:30 a.m., American tanks arrived, greeted with joy by the townspeople, who emerged from shelters and celebrated their liberation. Though the town suffered significant damage, including fires and the destruction of the church bell tower, the arrival of the American forces marked a turning point. Fear of a German counterattack led the Americans to secure the outskirts, when the columns of American vehicles and troops passed through, confirming the town’s liberation. The Marolles were liberated on August 10, 1944.

Source of information: www.marolles-les-braults.fr

Source of photos: www.findagrave.com, lavoirs-en-sarthe.fr

Upper Plaque:

BATAILLE

DE MAROLLES

A LA MÉMOIRE

DES SOLDATS AMÉRICAINS

ET DE MR ET MME LOUIS

LETAY

MORTS GLORIEUSEMENT

LES 9 ET 10 AOÛT 1944

English Translation:

BATTLE

OF MAROLLES

IN MEMORY

OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS

AND MR. AND MRS. LOUIS

LETAY

WHO DIED GLORIOUSLY

ON AUGUST 9 AND 10, 1944

Center Plaque:

Lower Plaque:

HOMMAGE

A L’ARMEE

AMERICAINE

1944 - 1974