La Roque Bridge

Text near the bridge:

Destruction of the La Roque Bridge
"The Hole in the Net"

Continuing Operation Cobra, the American army converged on Coutances from Périers and Saint-Lô; the strategy was to cut off the Cotentin Peninsula at the "Sienne" River estuary to entrap the remaining German troops in the mid-west portion of the peninsula.

This is why the Allied air forces put such tremendous fire power into destroying the La Roque Bridge which was the enemy's last possible route toward Granville, Avranches and Brittany.

Over twenty bombing raids were required to destroy three arches of La Roque Bridge; several kinds of planes were used: dive bombers and medium-sized "Marauders".

A Canadian pilot lost his life trying to dive-bomb the structure which is located in an enclosed valley.

Nonetheless, the strategic objective was not achieved because the portion of the bridge over the "Soulles" River remained intact; German troops were able to cross the river and escape by the Orval road towards Hyenville and Granville.

Do you have more information about this location? Inform us!

Source

• Text: STIWOT
• Photos: Bertrand Nollet