Gavray (Manche)
The cities of Normandy during the 1944 battles
- Liberation: 30 July 1944
- Deployed units:
Combat Command A, 3rd Armored Division
2. SS Panzer-Division “Das Reich”
17. SS Panzer-Division “Götz von Berlichingen”
Fallschirmjäger-Regiment 6, 91. Infanterie-Division
- History:
The Sienne Valley represents a veritable natural barrier. Steep slopes flow into the river, framed by a hedged landscape composed of dense oak and beech hedges. A plateau rises 150 meters above sea level, overlooking the Sienne and Bérence valleys. A hill dominates the region from the southern bank of Gavray, on which a medieval fortress was built.
The commune of Gavray is located near the Sienne River, crossed by a small stone bridge that was the target of Allied air raids starting on June 11, 1944. On July 17, in preparation for Operation Cobra, P-38 “Lightning” light bombers attacked the structure but failed to destroy it. However, a fire broke out in the commune following the raid, killing one of its residents, Mrs. Lebas.
Following Operation Cobra, initiated on July 25, three German divisions of the 84th Corps were trapped in the Roncey sector. Orders to withdraw were given, and the columns rushed to the southern banks of the Sienne River in disarray as soon as nightfall fell. From Gavray, the Germans set up a command post in an attempt to coordinate their movements, but the Allied air force spotted and bombed it on July 27. Over the next two days, scattered troops fled through the smoking ruins of the village and continued south, harassed by Allied artillery and aircraft. General Paul Hausser, commander of the German 7th Army, was also attacked by an American armored vehicle in this sector, but managed to escape without further incident. Further north, the Americans of Combat Command B (CCB) of the 2nd Armored Division attempted to block their route between Saint-Denis-le-Gast and Lengronne, but failed to establish a completely sealed line. The Germans then attempted to prevent the Americans from pursuing them beyond the Sienne River: they destroyed the Gavray bridge with explosives.
On July 30, while the German artillery (installed in the Mesnil-Armand sector) attempted to disrupt its enemy, Combat Command A (CCA) of the 3rd Armored Division took over and moved in the direction of Gavray, overtaking the 2nd Armored Division. The CCA, after being significantly slowed in its movements due to the congestion of friendly units on the small roads in the sector, reached the town in the early afternoon. Reconnaissance units confirmed the destruction of the bridge as well as the presence of Germans entrenched on the heights south of the Sienne. The decision was quickly made: the Americans intended to seize this point by a forceful crossing.
The fifteen-minute artillery preparation preceded the assault by two combined arms tactical groups of the CCA, including “Task Force X,” led by Lieutenant Colonel Leander L. Doan of the 32nd Armored Regiment. The infantry and armored vehicles began crossing the river, which was just over a meter deep, under fire from German defenders stationed along higher positions. Doan realized that his men were hesitant despite the weakness of German resources and decided to lead the assault himself, leading the crossing (he would be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions at Gavray). In just one hour, the two groups had crossed the Sienne River and were preparing to secure this bridgehead against possible enemy action.
Following the liberation of Gavray, without wasting any more time, American engineers installed a Bailey bridge to secure the Sienne River crossing. Its installation was completed on July 31st under the watchful eye of Major General Joseph “Lightning Joe” Lawton Collins, commander of the 7th US Corps. A makeshift bridge was also erected by the liberators on the western outskirts of the village to ease the heavy traffic.
On Saturday, August 5th, the people of Gavray witnessed the passage of elements of the French 2nd Armored Division: General Leclerc stopped there for a moment and was congratulated by the locals.
Gavray map:
