The battle of "Maison Blanche", just outside Rennes.
The town of Rennes was liberated on August 4, 1944 by elements of Major General John S. Wood's American 4th DB (4th Armored Division) under the orders of General George Patton as they continued their advance from the town of Avranches. To do so, fierce fighting broke out on the outskirts of the town. The commune of Maison Blanche, located 5 kilometers from downtown Rennes, was the scene of terrible combats.
On August 1, 1944, the first elements of the 4th DB showed up in the area. On a reconnaissance mission for his division, "private first class" Wilfried Pelletier, of the 10th armored infantry battalion, performs a deep "civilian" reconnaissance in the rear of enemy troops. He returned to report back the following day, enabling the American troops to organize their attacks. flak" fire from Rennes' Place de la Mairie, as well as numerous tense shots from the German positions at Maison Blanche.
American troops report the loss of 11 tanks out of 25 and 3 semi-tracks. Air support from P47-Thunderbolt, massive employment of American troops, combined with an air bombardment of the Rennes region, will overcome the German defenders. The city of Rennes was officially liberated on August 4, 1944. A stele commemorating these battles and General Patton's army is located in the commune of Maison Blanche, on the voie de la Liberté.
Text, contribution and photo credit Kévin Bruches
The battle of Maison Blanche, just outside Rennes. The town of Rennes was liberated on August 4, 1944 by elements of Major General John S. Wood's American 4th DB (4th Armored Division) under the orders of General George Patton as they continued their advance from the town of Avranches. To do so, fierce fighting broke out on the outskirts of the town. The commune of Maison Blanche, located 5 kilometers from downtown Rennes, was the scene of terrible combats. On August 1, 1944, the first elements of the 4th DB showed up in the area. On a reconnaissance mission for his division, private first class Wilfried Pelletier, of the 10th armored infantry battalion, performs a deep civilian reconnaissance in the rear of enemy troops. He returned to report back the following day, enabling the American troops to organize their attacks. flak fire from Rennes' Place de la Mairie, as well as numerous tense shots from the German positions at Maison Blanche. American troops report the loss of 11 tanks out of 25 and 3 semi-tracks. Air support from P47-Thunderbolt, massive employment of American troops, combined with an air bombardment of the Rennes region, will overcome the German defenders. The city of Rennes was officially liberated on August 4, 1944. A stele commemorating these battles and General Patton's army is located in the commune of Maison Blanche, on the voie de la Liberté. Text, contribution and photo credit Kévin Bruches
