Pont l’Abbe – Normandy, France – World War II.

In June 1944, the 90th Infantry Division continued to push its way west from Utah Beach.  German defenses within the Normandy interior proved stout.   American soldiers fought for any and all ground gained, mile by mile, town by town.

Shortly after the liberation of Pont l'Abbe, artist Aaron Bohrod captured the wayside cross in a painting. Note the telephone lines.

In BOOTPRINTS, Hobert Winebrenner speaks of the liberation of the villages Picauville and Pont l’Abbe, France.  Just west of Pont l’Abbe lies an intersection of roads D-24 and D-15.  This point is graced by a large wayside cross.

Winebrenner recalled a buddy being shot and killed in June 1944 at the base of this very same cross, by a German sniper.  The site was ingrained in his memory forever.

On a 1970 return to Normandy, Winebrenner and his wife, Marian revisited the location.  Our friend from France, Tristan, has graciously offered a “then and now” view of the cross.

Hobert Winebrenner and his wife, Marian, visit the site on a return visit to Normandy, France in 1970. Some memories never fade.

The wayside cross at the intersection of D-24 and D-15, as it looks today.

The original erection of the cross in Dec. 1910 was captured in a postcard.

One Response to “Pont l’Abbe – Normandy, France – World War II”

  1. Nathan Jean says:

    I’ve gathered from records that my Uncle Joe. A Longo was killed in this battle on June 14th.

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