continuation 04-18....After we departed Bayeux we headed for Graignes. This is the site of a lesser known but very important battle that made a very important contribution to the success of the D Day landings.
The Battle of Graignes, part of the Battle of Normandy in World War II, was fought June 10-12, 1944 in Graignes, France. During the engagement, paratroopers of the US 82nd Airborne Division held the town for 2 days against the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division. This action delayed the 17th Panzergrenadier's counterattack on Carentan, which was repulsed at the Battle of Bloody Gulch on June 13. After retaking the Graignes, the Germans massacred 44 civilians, a number of POWs taken in the capture of an American aid station, and set fire to the town. Among those executed were the Priest and nuns who cared for the wounded soldiers. Then they burned the church.
American forces were elements of the 82nd Airborne and other units. They held off the Germans for several days, inflicting anywhere from 700 to 1200 casualties on the Germans. The German force totaled 2,000 men, odds 10 to 1 against the U.S. forces. Our soldiers exfiltrated their position in an effort to find the American lines. Out of 182 soldiers, 150 made it back safely.
The Germans took out their frustrations on the town and wounded soldiers left there by executing them and burying them in a mass grave near the church. This should be a stop for any American citizens taking a trip to the Normandy region.
Our next stop was Ste. Mere-Eglise, then a pass through to Utah Beach. We are taking an escorted tour on Monday and Tuesday, so I should be able to provide you with some good information on these locations.
One other thing. While on the bus to the train station in Paris, Jerry and I had on fedoras. Now they do not look like cowboy hats. A Parisian we were talking to thought we were from Texas. When he got off the bus, he said to say hello to our horses for him. Also while we were in a taxi in Paris, the driver complimented Hankins on his command of the English language. He thought Jerry spoke it very well.
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| Before the Germans destroyed the Church, Now a memorial site. |
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| view from the church |
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| Flowers at Ste Mere-Eglise Church |
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| Graignes commemoration plaque |
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| Private John Steele replica, hanging from church in Ste. MereEglise |
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| Stained glass of parachutist in St. Mere-Eglise Church |
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| Mary Ann & Jerry |
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| Band of Brothers statue |
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