On the night of December 24, 1944, the Leopoldville, a Belgian liner converted into a troop transport in 1940, carrying soldiers of the 262nd and 264th regiments of the 66th US Infantry Division, was torpedoed at around 6pm off Cherbourg by the German U-Boot 486, commanded by Lieutenant Gerhard Meyer.
The Leopoldville had left Southampton that morning at around 9:15 a.m. to transport these troops to Normandy to reinforce the forces present for the decisive Battle of the Bulge. Unfortunately, her route was cut short just 9 km from Cherbourg.
This tragedy claimed 763 victims, including 493 bodies never recovered, not to mention those who escaped and carried the trauma for the rest of their lives.
No monument exists in Normandy or France to honor these victims, or their comrades-in-arms who survived, or even the men of the 66th Infantry Division.
The Association MEMOIRE & DATABASE, after carrying out and publishing the French translation of former New York City police officer Allan Andrade's book, Leopoldville: A tragedy too long secret, originally published in 1997, wanted to go further.
That's why we are asking you today to help us set up this monument in Cherbourg, on the pier facing the sea. We have the backing of the various authorities and have sourced a stonemason.
The monument will be inaugurated on May 6, 2025, in the presence of families of the victims, members of the Panther Veteran Organization, which also supports us.
To complete this project, which is so dear to us all, we need to raise 25,000 euros. There is no such thing as a small donation: every euro counts in remembering these young souls, lost too soon.
We would like to thank you in advance for your contribution
The Leopoldville had left Southampton that morning at around 9:15 a.m. to transport these troops to Normandy to reinforce the forces present for the decisive Battle of the Bulge. Unfortunately, her route was cut short just 9 km from Cherbourg.
This tragedy claimed 763 victims, including 493 bodies never recovered, not to mention those who escaped and carried the trauma for the rest of their lives.
No monument exists in Normandy or France to honor these victims, or their comrades-in-arms who survived, or even the men of the 66th Infantry Division.
The Association MEMOIRE & DATABASE, after carrying out and publishing the French translation of former New York City police officer Allan Andrade's book, Leopoldville: A tragedy too long secret, originally published in 1997, wanted to go further.
That's why we are asking you today to help us set up this monument in Cherbourg, on the pier facing the sea. We have the backing of the various authorities and have sourced a stonemason.
The monument will be inaugurated on May 6, 2025, in the presence of families of the victims, members of the Panther Veteran Organization, which also supports us.
To complete this project, which is so dear to us all, we need to raise 25,000 euros. There is no such thing as a small donation: every euro counts in remembering these young souls, lost too soon.
We would like to thank you in advance for your contribution
To help us, you can click on the Helloasso link here: 
To help us, you can click on the Gofundme link here: 
Photo montage including the future monument on the right. The one in honor of the fishermen is already installed on the left.
Presse de la Manche of 03/10/2024 |
|
|
|
|
