Koufra oath marker at Cossé le Vivien

Koufra oath marker at Cossé le Vivien

ROUTE OF THE 2ND ARMOURED DIVISION COSSÉ-LE-VIVIEN

In the summer of 1944, the commune of Cossé-le-Vivien was on the axis of the Allies' advance towards the East. In the days leading up to the liberation of the commune, a group of young Cosséens decided to take action. On 4 August, they captured four German soldiers. Eight other soldiers were reported at La Rousselière, and local Resistance fighters decided to go there. In the firefight that broke out, Paul Bigeon, the stationmaster, was killed and two of his comrades were wounded.

On the afternoon of 6 August, units belonging to Combat Command B of the US 5th Armoured Division liberated the village before continuing eastwards. During a brief engagement, five German soldiers and three American soldiers belonging to logistical units of this division were killed. At the end of the day, their HQ set up temporarily in the area, then on 7 August, a supply convoy containing 500,000 litres of petrol stopped for a while at Cossé-le-Vivien before moving on to Villers-Charlemagne.

Information: www.2edb-leclerc.fr

In the second half of the night of 8 to 9 August and for most of the day of the 9th, all the units of the 2nd French Armoured Division advancing towards Le Mans passed through the town in the order Groupement Tactique Langlade (GTL), Groupement Tactique Dio (GTD), Groupement Tactique Warabiot (GTV) and reserved elements. Several units made their "grand halt" there and refuelled.

On the morning of the 9th, French officers learned that Paul Bigeon's funeral was scheduled for the late morning of the same day, and a piquet of honour from the Leclerc Division escorted the catafalque during the ceremony. In all likelihood, this detachment belonged to the GTD.

Since 1944, the commune of Cossé-le-Vivien has preserved the memory of those who fell for its liberation.

This is evidenced by the stele erected in memory of the three American soldiers at La Chevillère and the one installed at Cosmes in honour of Paul Bigeon.

Since 2021, the commune has also borne the memory of the 2nd DB and its passage through its territory, as evidenced by the erection of a marker commemorating the Koufra oath.

Contribution and photo credit Le Bourvellec Eric

Koufra oath marker at Cossé le VivienROUTE OF THE 2ND ARMOURED DIVISION COSSÉ-LE-VIVIENIn the summer of 1944, the commune of Cossé-le-Vivien was on the axis of the Allies' advance towards the East. In the days leading up to the liberation of the commune, a group of young Cosséens decided to take action. On 4 August, they captured four German soldiers. Eight other soldiers were reported at La Rousselière, and local Resistance fighters decided to go there. In the firefight that broke out, Paul Bigeon, the stationmaster, was killed and two of his comrades were wounded.On the afternoon of 6 August, units belonging to Combat Command B of the US 5th Armoured Division liberated the village before continuing eastwards. During a brief engagement, five German soldiers and three American soldiers belonging to logistical units of this division were killed. At the end of the day, their HQ set up temporarily in the area, then on 7 August, a supply convoy containing 500,000 litres of petrol stopped for a while at Cossé-le-Vivien before moving on to Villers-Charlemagne.Information: www.2edb-leclerc.frIn the second half of the night of 8 to 9 August and for most of the day of the 9th, all the units of the 2nd French Armoured Division advancing towards Le Mans passed through the town in the order Groupement Tactique Langlade (GTL), Groupement Tactique Dio (GTD), Groupement Tactique Warabiot (GTV) and reserved elements. Several units made their grand halt there and refuelled.On the morning of the 9th, French officers learned that Paul Bigeon's funeral was scheduled for the late morning of the same day, and a piquet of honour from the Leclerc Division escorted the catafalque during the ceremony. In all likelihood, this detachment belonged to the GTD.Since 1944, the commune of Cossé-le-Vivien has preserved the memory of those who fell for its liberation.This is evidenced by the stele erected in memory of the three American soldiers at La Chevillère and the one installed at Cosmes in honour of Paul Bigeon.Since 2021, the commune has also borne the memory of the 2nd DB and its passage through its territory, as evidenced by the erection of a marker commemorating the Koufra oath.Contribution and photo credit Le Bourvellec Eric