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Captain Roger Wietzel Memorial, near Hermanville
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Captain Roger Wietzel Memorial, near Hermanville
Wietzel was the Captain of the French ship Courbet, an old French cruiser, which without engine or guns and filled with concrete, was towed across the Channel and sunk 1, 100 yards off Sword Beach to act as a Gooseberry block ship. At this spot on 7 June 1944 Wietzel collected some French soil which he later presented to Gen de Gaulle. Date: 2008
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Media ID 23215608
© Holts Battlefield Collection /
Channel Concrete Courbet Cruiser Filled Guns Sunk Towed Yards
EDITORS COMMENTS
This poignant photograph captures the Captain Roger Wietzel Memorial, situated near Hermanville in Normandy, France. The memorial honors the brave actions of Captain Wietzel, who served aboard the old French cruiser, Courbet, during World War II. The Courbet, without engine or guns, was filled with concrete and towed across the English Channel to be sunk 1,100 yards off Sword Beach as a Gooseberry block ship. On June 7, 1944, as the Allied invasion of Normandy began, Captain Wietzel collected a small amount of French soil from the beach. He later presented this soil to General Charles de Gaulle as a symbol of French resistance and pride. The Courbet's sacrifice helped protect the invasion fleet from enemy fire and paved the way for the Allied forces to establish a foothold in Europe. The memorial, which was unveiled in 2008, stands as a testament to the bravery and resilience of Captain Wietzel and the French people during a pivotal moment in history. The image of the memorial, with its tranquil setting and the French flag proudly flying, serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made during the D-Day landings and the enduring bond between France and its allies.
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