At the intersection of rue martyrs de la résistance and place du colonel Bourgoin, a milestone la voie de la liberté identified km 291 pays tribute to the 4th US Armored Division that liberated the commune on August 6, 1944.
LA VOIE DE LA LIBERATION
On August 6, 1944, an impressive convoy of American military vehicles coming from Sérent arrived in Plumelec. It belongs to the US 4th Armored Division commanded by General John Shirley Wood who landed between July 11 and 16, 1944 at Utah Beach in Normandy.
All day the 900 vehicles and some 6000 men pass through the commune and head for Saint Jean Brévelay, Bignan, Locminé, Baud and Lorient. The 4th Armored Division was activated on April 15, 1941 with 3,800 men (10,000 by the end of May 1941) from various other units by Major General W. Baird. The division was fitted out as a full armored division in May and June 1942 under the command of Major General John Shirley Wood.
Entering the combat on July 17, 1944, it took part in operation Cobra, fighting hard in the Coutances area. After overcoming the Avranches lock, the 4th AD swung towards Brittany on August 3, Rennes fell, and the division split into two columns, one for Vannes, the other heading for Lorient.
Contribution and photo credit Le Bourvellec Eric
At the intersection of rue martyrs de la résistance and place du colonel Bourgoin, a milestone la voie de la liberté identified km 291 pays tribute to the 4th US Armored Division that liberated the commune on August 6, 1944. LA VOIE DE LA LIBERATION On August 6, 1944, an impressive convoy of American military vehicles coming from Sérent arrived in Plumelec. It belongs to the US 4th Armored Division commanded by General John Shirley Wood who landed between July 11 and 16, 1944 at Utah Beach in Normandy.All day the 900 vehicles and some 6000 men pass through the commune and head for Saint Jean Brévelay, Bignan, Locminé, Baud and Lorient. The 4th Armored Division was activated on April 15, 1941 with 3,800 men (10,000 by the end of May 1941) from various other units by Major General W. Baird. The division was fitted out as a full armored division in May and June 1942 under the command of Major General John Shirley Wood. Entering the combat on July 17, 1944, it took part in operation Cobra, fighting hard in the Coutances area. After overcoming the Avranches lock, the 4th AD swung towards Brittany on August 3, Rennes fell, and the division split into two columns, one for Vannes, the other heading for Lorient.Contribution and photo credit Le Bourvellec Eric
