The liberation of Charleville

Militaria expert, blogger and 24th Cav Recon re-enactor Nicolas Kubel has provided this account and photographs of the liberation of Charleville and surrounding area, by the squadron on September 3 1944.

On 1 September 1944, the 4th Cavalry Group, composed of the 4th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron and the 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, continued its advance eastward toward the Meuse. On that date, the 4th Squadron was positioned on the southern axis, between Montcornet and Rethel, while the 24th was to the north, between Aubenton and Brunehamel. The 4th Cavalry Group received the mission of reconnoitring the banks of the Meuse. The 4th Squadron was assigned the stretch of the river from Mézières to Sedan, and the 24th the section from Charleville to Revin.

On 2 September at 14:00, the 24th Squadron received orders to establish a defensive roadblock southwest of Éteignières, at the Mon-Idée crossroads, and then to conduct a reconnaissance northward toward Rocroi and another patrol eastward toward Charleville. Troop B, which was at that time in reserve, was assigned to this mission.

At 18:00, the platoon of Lieutenant Bloomfield passed through the Mon-Idée crossroads heading toward Charleville. At 21:45, the western outskirts of the city were reached. A significant enemy force, estimated at 1,200 men, supported by two medium tanks and light artillery, was reported. Bloomfield’s platoon remained in observation on site for the night.

At 23:00, the platoon of Lieutenant Haverstick reached the town of Rocroi. No enemy presence was reported there. Troops A and C prepared to move east the following morning.

On 3 September, the squadron’s mission was to occupy the heights northwest of Charleville and to reconnoitre the crossing points on the Meuse between Charleville and Rocroi. At 01:00, Troop C was ordered to move at first light toward Charleville and to occupy the heights to the west (Étion, Mal Campée, Bellevue du Nord). One platoon from Troop E (M8 howitzers) and one platoon from Troop A of the 759th Tank Battalion were attached to Troop C for this mission. Troop A received orders to follow Troop C and to support it if necessary in securing the objective. Lieutenant Bloomfield’s platoon of Troop B remained near Charleville, awaiting the arrival of Troop C.

After reaching the heights overlooking Charleville, Troop C sent patrols into the city.

Four major explosions were heard just before the patrols entered. Troop C and Bloomfield’s platoon occupied the city at 13:00 and observed that all bridges had been destroyed. Enemy movements were reported on the opposite bank of the Meuse and on the Berthaucourt plateau, where German soldiers had taken up defensive positions. Troop A and FFI units were engaged in a violent exchange of fire during the seizure of the Montcy–Saint-Pierre railway bridge and the capture of the Berthaucourt plateau. At 20:00, Troop A and the attached units left the city to move toward Rocroi and Revin; only Troop C remained to secure Charleville.

Source: translated directly from the author’s original French text, which is reproduced below the gallery.

Image captions and sources:

1. 635th Tank Destroyer Battalion, attached to the 24th Cav Recon, on Cours Briand, Charleville.

2. In front of the Charleville town hall, Place Ducale, on 3 September 1944, an M8 of Troop B, 24th Cav Reco, watches over Rue de Mantoue. Photo: Héraux.

3. FFI - Forces françaises de l’intérieur - French resistance fighters in Charleville.