Chateau de Franquetot

Leaving Sainte-mere Eglise this morning we went to Carentan to do some grocery shopping and then onto small village called Graignes. There is a monument here to the American Paratroopers and French civilians murdered by the SS. See the extract from wikipedia below.

The Battle of Graignes was part of the American airborne landings in Normandy during the early stages of Operation Overlord in World War II, fought between June 10–12, 1944 in Graignes, France. During the engagement, American paratroopers of the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division held the town for two days against the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division. This action delayed the 17th SS Panzergrenadier’s counterattack on Carentan, which was repulsed at the Battle of Bloody Gulch on June 13. After retaking Graignes, the German troops massacred 44 civilians and a number of prisoners of war taken in the capture of an American aid station, and set fire to the town.

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This chateau was used as a Headquarters by Major General Collins during the battle for Normandy. It would host meetings with Eisenhower and Bradley. It was a amazing looking around here, the collections were very impressive.

We are spending the night here in the car park outside the Chateau, our first France Passion stop. Free to be here, just visit the museum which we did. Will probably go in again later to enjoy some food and beer with the owners.