Allied Operation Cobra, during World War II. United States infantry,tanks and other vehicles advance from Lessay through the war-torn town of Periers, on their way to Coutances, France. U.S. infantrymen (probably 90th Infantry Division) and armor of the 4th Armored Division, including M4(105) howitzer medium tanks and M4 medium tanks (part of Operation Cobra) move past a road sign that reads "Périers". At top of signpost, another sign reads: "Road cleared of mines to hedges." The tanks turn right (South) in front of the damaged Periers church, as they pass through town on their way toward the city of Coutances.
Military police guard German prisoners of war in vicinity of Periers,France, during World War II. German prisoners rest along wall in courtyard of a building. Some prisoners sleep over ruins of buildings. Military police guard them. Prisoners being marched to trucks and loaded, packed tightly onto open trucks. French women on bicycles stop and make fun of the German prisoners Damaged buildings seen in the background. Sherman tank of 4th Armored Division drives past bomb-damaged church. Road sign points along Route 71 to next town (Coutances) and end of route (coastal city of Granville).
Red Cross ambulances passing through Périers, France during World War 2. Free France Red Cross ambulances driving in a street with buildings destroyed from bombing. French men and women watch the passing Free French M3 half-tracks, ambulances, trucks. Buildings in Périers are almost complete ruins. French civilians cheer and welcome the arrival of French troops in Périers. French soldiers wave back at cheering civilians. M3 half-tracks are named “18 Juin 40”, “14 Juillet”.
Free French 1st Armored Division tanks pass through Périers, Manche during World War 2. French civilians cheer as an M4 Sherman tank pass by. The ruins of Église de Périers (Église Saint-Pierre Place du Général de Gaulle, 50190 Périers, France) is seen on the right. M4 Sherman tanks and Red Cross ambulances pass by each other as they take opposite directions. A M3 Lee tank passes through thick smoke. An M3 half-track pulling a wagon passes by a crowd of French civilians. Three French women watch the arrival of Free French military vehicles in their town.
Free French 1st Armored Division in Périers, Manche during World War 2. Free French troops on truck wagons, with piles of debris from bombings on the street. Soldiers stand on top of a moving M5 half-track. Behind the M5 half-track is the ruins of Église de Périers (Église Saint-Pierre Place du Général de Gaulle, 50190 Périers, France). The M5 half-track is followed by an army Jeep. A convoy of Red Cross ambulances pass by the Église Saint-Pierre. A French soldier shakes hands with a person sitting in the passenger seat of a Red Cross truck. French soldier leaves. More ambulances follow.
Captured German soldiers with raised hands are searched in Periers, Normandy, France during World War II. A young German prisoner wearing an oval-shaped dog tag (erkennungsmarke) being searched. A soldier flips through the pages of a booklet seized from a captured German prisoner. An M7 priest 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7 with soldiers moves in front of the ruins of Église Saint-Pierre (Place du Général de Gaulle, 50190 Périers, France). Soldiers in tank passes by destroyed houses on devastated road.