Woonsocket in Providence County, Rhode Island — The American Northeast (New England)
General George S. Patton, Jr.
Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 27, 2022
1. General George S. Patton, Jr. Marker
In December 1943 the allies devised a plan known as Operation Fortitude to deceive the Germans as to the intended place of the Allied invasion of occupied France in mid-1944. Patton was appointed the commanding officer of a fictitious army headquartered in England ostensibly preparing to invade France across the English Channel at the narrow Pas de Calais. The actual invasion site was planned for Normandy. The deception included formations of inflatable rubber tanks, vehicles, and aircraft displayed for the Germans to discover.
The vast majority of the inflatable equipment was produced in Woonsocket by workers of the U.S. Rubber Company at the Alice Mill which, at one time, was the largest rubber mill in the world. The deception plan worked extremely well. Large amounts of bogus radio messages added to the ruse and led the Germans to believe Patton would lead the Allied invasion force to France at the Pas de Calais. The Germans reinforced their fortifications of their Atlantic Wall along the French coast at that point diverting resources that would
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While General Patton was not part of Operation Overlord on June 6, 1944 his "Rubber Army," or "Ghost Army," as the fictitious forces came to be known, played a vital part in the successful invasion of France and the eventual liberation of Europe in 1945. Without the hard work and dedication of the Soldiers of Production in Woonsocket, the deception of Operation Fortitude would not have been such a major success.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is June 6, 1944.
Location. 42° 0.443′ N, 71° 31.697′ W. Marker is in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in Providence County. Memorial is on River Street north of 2nd Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Located next to American Legion Fairmount Post 85. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 870 River Street, Woonsocket RI 02895, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Battle of Stalingrad (here, next to this marker); D-Day (here, next to this marker); Battle of Midway (here, next to this marker); Battle of the Bulge (here, next to this marker); World War II Ends (here, next to this marker); Pearl Harbor
Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 27, 2022
2. General George S. Patton, Jr. Marker
Photographed By Michael Herrick, April 27, 2022
3. Markers at the American Legion Fairmount Post 85 Veterans Memorial
Credits. This page was last revised on May 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 83 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 6, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
