12 Oct 2021 Garand Picture of the Day

[Mark in Rochester]

An intense battle took place in the vicinity of St-Fromond, Normandy in the early part of July 1944, and we were very fortunate to take this Then & Now photograph for you.

One month after the Normandy landings began, American troops had to establish a bridgehead west of the Vire river in order to continue their progress. The Americans had to secure a number of bridges to allow their armored vehicles to continue their progress on the other bank of the Vire. The 30th Infantry Division of Major General Leland S. Hobbs is in charge of seizing Saint-Fromond and the strategic stone bridge which are defended by german soldiers including SS troops.

On July 7th, 1944, elements of the 30th Infantry Division managed to cross the Vire river to secure the stone bridge and the city. In this picture, you can see that most of the buildings were destroyed and are no longer standing today.

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[ssgross]

these before and afters are my absolute favorites! amazing!