La Fiere Battle Monument (Cauquigny, Sainte-Mere-Eglise, Normandy)
N 49° 24.084 W 001° 21.775
30U E 618772 N 5473367
Memorial park of La Fière, dedicated to the American Airborne troops of D-day, you can find near Cauquigny (4 km west of Sainte-Mère-Eglise at the edge of D15 road).
Waymark Code: WM89WM
Location: Normandie, France
Date Posted: 02/24/2010
Views: 19
Statue of "The Airborne Trooper" stands above the bridge at La Fiere in Normandy, where on June 7-10, 1944 members of 505 Parachute Infantry Regiment and 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, both elements of the 82nd Airborne Division, fought a fierce battle against repeated German attacks.
The small stone bridge over the Merderet River was a key point for the Germans to take in order to break up the American landing at Utah Beach, while at the same time being key to the Americans so that they could expand their beachhead in Normandy. Over the course of the battle, the Germans attacked the lightly armed Americans with both infantry and armor but were never able to cross the bridge. The monument was unveiled on June 7, 1997.
Today you can find here a small parking lot and couple meters from it a memorial dedicated to American Airborne troops of D-day. On a white stone pedestal between two flagpoles with US and French flag is placed bronze statue of the Airborne Trooper named "Iron Mike" (with following legend: A grateful tribute to American airborne soldiers of D-DAY, 6 June 1944 - 7 June 1997.
Behind the statue is another part of memorial - huge open bronze book on a stone desk with following lettering in FR and ENG:
To pass on the memory, to remind that today we live in peace, freedom, and dignity because others gave their life for us...