On the north side of the intersection, next to the memorial plaques.

Marker

A rectangular white information board with a white metal base commemorating Lt. Turner Turnbull, who led the 3rd Platoon of Company D, and Sgt. Robert Niland, who was killed in action during the battle, as well as their comrades in the 505th PIR and soldiers of the 746th Tank Battalion for their roles in the intense fighting at Neuville-au-Plain. The board includes images of the two fallen soldiers and a map showing their positions during the battle. The history of the battle is presented in both French and English.

Source of photo: www.google.com/maps

UN DES HAUTS FAITS DE BRAVOURE DE LA BATAILLE POUR LA TÊTE DE PONT.

HERE OCCURRED ONE OF THE GREATEST FEATS OF BRAVERY IN THE BATTLE TO SECURE THE BRIDGE-HEAD.

Left Column:

Le principal objectif de la 505th P.I.R. était d'établir une position de blocage le long de la Nationale 13 à Neuville au Plain. A 8H le 6 juin 1944, le Colonel Vandervoort envoie le 3ème Peloton de la Compagnie D pour repérer les lieux afin de bloquer toute contre attaque venant du Nord. C'est ainsi que le Lieutenant Turnbull, commandant du Peloton et ses 44 hommes de la Compagnie D ont déployé toutes leurs forces sur le côté Est de la N 13. 

The main objective of the 505th P.I.R. was to establish a blocking position along the N13 highway at Neuville au Plain. At 8:00 am on June 6, 1944, Colonel Vandervoort sent the 3rd Platoon of Company D to scout out the area and to block any counterattacks from the North. Thus, Platoon leader Lieutenant Turnbull with 44 of his men from D Company deployed most of his strength on the East side of the N13.

Center Column: 

Le matin du 7 , le 1058ème Régiment reprit son attaque par le Nord. Ce même jour dans l'après-midi, le 1er Peloton de la Compagnie B du 746ème Tank Battalion atteint Neuville au Plain à temps pour détruire deux chars allemands Mark IV. Les Lieutenants Irving Hurley et Joe Rainer faisaient partie de la formation sous le commandement du Major G. Yeatts. Ils libérèrent 19 parachutistes et firent prisonniers 60 allemands. 

On the morning of June 7, 1944, the German 1058th Regiment renewed its attack from the North. In the afternoon of the same day, the 1st Platoon of Company D from the 746th Tank Battalion reached Neuville au Plain in time to destroy two Mark IV German tanks. Lieutenants Irving Hurley and Joe Rainer were part of the formation under the leadership of Major G. Yeatts. They liberated 19 paratroopers and took 60 German prisoners.

Right Column:

Vers 10h30, 180 soldats allemands du 1058ème Régiment arrivèrent en marchant sur la nationale. Ils se déployèrent dans les prés de chaque côté de la route, tentant d'encercler le Peloton de Turnbull. Il était presque 16 h quand Peterson et le 1 er Peloton de la Compagnie E attaquèrent afin de relâcher la pression sur le flanc gauche de Turnbull qui profita de cette brève fenêtre pour battre en retraite. Seulement 16 hommes sur 44 purent de replier à l'aube avec Turnbull. 

At about 10:30 am, 180 German soldiers of the 1058th Regiment arrived marching down the highway. They deployed into the fields on both sides of the road, attempting to envelop Turnbull’s Platoon. It was nearing 4:00 pm when Peterson and his 1st Platoon of E Company attacked and relieved the pressure on the left side of Turnbull’s position giving him a brief window of time to retreat. At dusk only 16 of the original 44 men came out with Turnbull.