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Bed & Breakfast, Guest house in Normandy

Bed and breakfast, (B&B). This master house from 'la Belle Epoque', near downtown, is open all year long.

Situated near the Overlord Expedition beaches. We offer you 5 comfortable and cosy rooms with en suite bathroom (with shower and restrooms).

On 6th June 1944, about 04.30 am, the allied bombing began around the town: the aim was to destroy the railway line and all the bridges on the N13.

The 501st Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division had taken up positions under the command of Colonel JOHNSON around the Barquette Sluice, which were difficult to hold.

The daylight hours of the 8th were somewhat quieter.

On 9th June the American artillery shelled the Haut Dick, port and church districts. The German guns based at Rougeval replied.

During the night of 9-10 June they succeeded in forcing their way up to the Douve Bridges, just 2 km from Carentan, and a key position for the American army. The only possible access to the town was the N13, whose roadway dominated the flooded marshes, but offered no cover. there were 4 bridges to cross. With the help of the American artillery, the Gls of the 502nd Regiment and Colonel COLE succeeded in getting over the bridges.

The Germans had been ordered to hold Carentan whatever the cost. There were heavy losses on both sides. The adversaries were so close that they could hear each other talking and operating the bolts of their rifles.

Everywhere there were dead, and wounded crying out for help. Colonel COLE decided to put an end to it. Under cover of a smoke screen, he gave the order to attack. The Gls, taking refuge against garden hedges and in a cabbage patch, received the order. With battle cries they put in a furious bayonet charge, and in fierce hand-to-hand fighting drove the enemy from the village of Pommenauque.

After several unsuccessful counter-attacks and in the face of the American resistance,, the Germans completely abandoned the sector.

Exhausted, the 502nd was not able to continue the advance, and was replaced by the 506th.

On 10th June the town was again subject to heavy artillery bombardment.
The 327th and the 401st Glider Regiments crossed the channel at Brévands without too much resistance; they then passed over the footbridge across the Taute at Saint Hilaire, which has been rebuilt with materials from immediate area.
On 11th June, the American artillery was unleashed. The bell tower and the choir of the church were hit, and the Gloria factory set alight, as were houses in rue Holgate. The noise of the battle became intense.

The 506th Regiment remained near St Côme du Mont, the pushed on to the Carteret railway, reached the Auvers road then the Périers road, and at La Billonnerie joined up again with the 501st Regiment.

At dawn on 12th June forces converged in strength on Carentan, but during the night the Germans had retreated. General TAYLOR and Colonel HARPER entered the heart of the town.

After 5 days of intense fighting and the loss of half of soldiers, in capturing Carentan the 101st Airborne Division had opened up the road to victory for the American army.