70th Tank Battalion Monument -Chelles
Details:
On the east side of the road.
Monument
A white marble slab monument honoring the soldiers of the 70th Tank Battalion, specifically Company A, who died on August 27, 1944. The monument displays the names and ranks of the fallen soldiers and includes the insignias of the 4th Infantry Division and the 70th Tank Battalion at the top. The inscription is written in French.
The liberation of Chelles on August 27, 1944, was a crucial moment during the Allied advance in France. The city, situated near Paris, was strategically significant due to its location and infrastructure, particularly its railway marshaling yards, which the Germans used to transport supplies.
The 4th Infantry Division, commanded by General Barton, played a leading role in the liberation efforts. Supported by the 70th Tank Battalion and the local French Resistance, they managed to push German forces out of the city. The battle was intense, especially as the Allies faced stiff resistance from German units equipped with 88mm guns. In the afternoon, a pivotal encounter occurred near the Madeleine crossroads, where two Sherman tanks were ambushed by the Germans. One tank was destroyed, and its crew—Charles Frontuto, Elmer Ackerman, and Harry Schneider—were killed. In the second tank, Sergeant George Dudley was also killed. Despite these losses, the Allied forces advanced cautiously and eventually secured the area, liberating Chelles from Nazi occupation.
Source of information: univem-paris.com, villevaudeassocs.typepad.fr
Source of photos: www.memorialgenweb.org
Monument Text:
A la mémoire des soldats Américains
du 7Oth Tank Battalion
Company "A"
1st Lt Harry Schneider
Sgt. George E Dudley
Cpl Charles Frontuto
Pvt Elmer S. Ackerman
Morts le 27 août 1944 prés de ce lieu en libérant notre pays du joug nazi.
La Ville de Chelles reconnaissante.
English Translation:
In memory of the American soldiers
of the 70th Tank Battalion
Company "A"
1st Lt Harry Schneider
Sgt. George E Dudley
Cpl Charles Frontuto
Pvt Elmer S. Ackerman
Died on August 27, 1944, near this place while liberating our country from the Nazi yoke.
The grateful City of Chelles.
Commemorates:
People:
Units:
4th Infantry Division
70th Tank Battalion
United States Army
Wars:
WWII
Other images :