Benouville in Manche, Normandy, France — Western Europe
First House Liberated in France
Pegasus Bridge Gondree Cafe
Photographed by Don Morfe, June 27, 2008
1. First House Liberated in France Marker
This was the first house in France to be liberated during the last hour of 5th June 1944 by men of the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in the British 6th Airborne Division under the command of Major R. John Howard.
The British 6th Airborne Division landed near this bridge on the night of 5th June 1944, as a spearhead to the Allied Armies of Liberation.
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II.
Location. 49° 14.549′ N, 0° 16.502′ W. Memorial is in Benouville, Normandie (Normandy), in Manche. It is on Avenue du Commander Kieffer (D514). Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Benouville, Normandie 14970, France. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Le Pegasus Bridge - Du prélude à la Libération / The Pegasus Bridge - From Prelude to Liberation (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Les rives de l’Orne / The Banks of the Orne (about 120 meters away); Bénouville - Pegasus Bridge (about 120 meters away); «L’arbre de la liberté» / «The Liberty Tree» (about 120 meters away); Major R. J. Howard (about 150 meters away); Major John Howard (about 150 meters away); Pegasus Bridge Site (about 180 meters away); L/Cpl Fred Greenhalgh (about 180 meters away).
Photographed by Don Morfe, June 27, 2008
2. Pegasus Bridge Gondree Cafe Marker
Photographed by Don Morfe, June 27, 2008
3. Pegasus Bridge Gondree Cafe
Les 5 et 6 Juin 1944, nos libérateurs couraient en ces lieux sous la mitraille, pour qu'aujourd'hui nous y courrions en toute liberté.
50 ans après, le 12 Juin 1994, Fred Lebow, fondateur du Marathon de New York donnait ici le départ des Courses de la Liberté.
50 ans après, le 12 Juin 1994, Fred Lebow, fondateur du Marathon de New York donnait ici le départ des Courses de la Liberté.
Photographed by Don Morfe, June 27, 2008
4. First House Liberated in France and markers
Photographed by Joerg Hagedorn, September 9, 2025
5. First House Liberated in France Marker
Photographed by Joerg Hagedorn, September 9, 2025
6. First House Liberated in France Marker
Photographed by Joerg Hagedorn, September 9, 2025
7. First House Liberated in France Marker
New Tablet form June 2009
Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 2, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 653 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on January 2, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 26, 2026, by Joerg Hagedorn of Siegen, Germany. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Readable pictures of the other markers here. • Can you help?
