Below the large panel.

Plaque

A rectangular gray plaque written in French commemorating the soldiers of the 749^th Tank Battalion who died on July 9, 1944, during the town’s liberation. The battle for La Haye-du-Puits commenced in early July. The 79th Infantry Division, including the 749th Tank Battalion, began their assault on July 4. However, torrential rains and heavily mined terrain hindered their advance, while German forces mounted a strong defense.

On July 5, 1944, Major General Ira T. Wyche’s forces, including the 314th Infantry Regiment supported by the 749th Tank Battalion, faced significant resistance and counterattacks that stalled their progress. Despite these setbacks, the offensive resumed on July 6, with the 314th Infantry Regiment encircling the village and the 313th Infantry Regiment performing a flanking maneuver. The German defenders, reinforced by the 2nd SS Panzer Division, launched a violent counterattack on July 7, resulting in heavy American casualties and a temporary retreat.

On July 8, 1944, the 749th Tank Battalion, alongside other American units, renewed their assault. Despite extensive damage from previous bombings and ongoing challenges, the Americans reached the outskirts of La Haye-du-Puits.

On July 9, they successfully captured the village, though the victory came at a high cost, with significant casualties and extensive damage to the area.

Source of information:

• Normandy 1944: A Visual History" by Ian Baxter
• National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
• The U.S. Army in World War II: The European Theater of Operations
• The Tank Killers: A History of America's World War II Tank Destroyer Force" by Harry Yeide

Source of photo: www.memorialgenweb.org

AUX SOLDATS DU 749^TH TANK BAT

QUI LIBERČRENT LA HAYE DU PUITS

LE 9 JUILLET 1944

English Translation:

TO THE SOLDIERS OF THE 749TH TANK BATTALION

WHO LIBERATED LA HAYE DU PUITS

ON JULY 9, 1944