The Avranches bridge

On 31 July 1944, Avranches is taken and the German western front is on the verge of dismantling. The same day, with the arrival on the battlefield of General Patton’s 3rd Army, the American divisions push southward. A spearhead unit is assigned the mission to capture the Pontaubault bridge. A German kampfgruppe launch a counter-attack, but it is not strong enough facing to the powerful 3rd Army. On 31 July, in the evening, Patton receives a phone call announcing him the capture of Pontaubault bridge; at once he orders a staff meeting, and all the night the American armoured divisions cross the bridge and fan out in Brittany.

On 1st August 1944 Colonel

Pontaubault: The military police, pistol in hand, had to manage a huge traffic jam : a 50 km traffic-jam to be precise ! 1500 vehicles took the bridge and this procession lasted three days.

Bacherer’s "kampfgruppe" arrives in the outskirts of the city, but the taskforce is not strong enough facing General Patton’s 3rd Army. The Germans renew their assault to destroy the bridge of Pontaubault, without any success. This intact bridge enables General Patton’s Army to fan into Brittany. During several days, night and day, tanks, vehicles and troops cross the bridge. Toward the west and Mont-Saint-Michel General Patton launches the 79th Infantry division, the 6th Armoured division rush on toward Brest by the road 176, the Americans liberates Servon in the progression.




Pontaubault in the southern part


http://www.ville-avranches.fr/englis...ee06_1aout.htm

http://www.normandie44lamemoire.com/...ault%20us.html

__________________