Inscription on the Kämpfe kidnapping memorial

Close-up of memorial inscription to the kidnapping of Kämpfe on the N141

This picture shows a close-up of the inscription on the memorial to the kidnapping of Sturmbannführer Helmut Kämpfe about 2½ miles east of St. Léonard de Noblat on the N141. The inscription reads, "Close to this place on 9th June 1944 at 21:00 hours, the section of Sergeant Canou of the brigade of Colonel Guingouin captured Sturmbannführer Kämpfe, Number 1 Hero of the SS armoured Division Das Reich. By this exploit the resistance contributed to a delay of 48 hours in the march of this division toward the Normandy beachhead. General Eisenhower recognised before Emmanuel d'Astier de la Vigerie (French resistance leader, known as "Bernard") in July 1944 that the actions of the resistance had saved the allied bridgehead. This homage is addressed to all men who love Liberty". See the view of the whole memorial to the abduction and that to the unfortunate local men shot by the SS during their search for Kämpfe.

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