ANGOVILLE-AU-PLAIN

D-Day 6 June 1944 marked the beginning of bitter fighting in Normandy and all-out war as the Allies attempted to liberate France and defeat Nazi tyranny. As the brave, young soldiers, sailors and airmen of the Allied force prepared to embark on their mission, they had little idea what the coming days would have in store for them.

In a small hamlet 6 miles behind enemy lines south-west of Utah Beach a lasting act of kindness by two young American medics offered a reminder of humanity within the brutality or war.  Their legacy is lasting and their tale is legendary – the medics of Angoville-au-Plain.

Only hours into D-Day two medics from the 101st Airborne Division, the famous ‘Screaming Eagles’, arrived in Angoville to find themselves in the middle of a savage firefight. Carrying only medical supplies and no weapons, Kenneth Moore and Robert Wright were undeterred by the chaos around them and immediately set up a field dressing-station in the little village church to treat the growing numbers of wounded.

In the days that followed, even as control of the village changed hands several times between opposing forces, the two medics refused to leave and insisted on treating every wounded soldier brought though the doors, regardless of the uniform they wore.

Throughout the raging battle there was, however, one simple rule. No guns were to be brought inside the church. The first time two German paratroopers burst through the big oak doors, machine-guns raised to their hips, the medics simply stared them straight in the eye and nodded down to the wounded German soldier they were treating. The two enemy paratroopers immediately understood. Both saluted and withdrew.

By the time the fighting had finally subsided, all but three of the 80 wounded had survived.

The scars of Angoville remain today with mortar damage and cracked tiles alongside blood-stained pews. Outside, carved into a stone memorial read the simple words:
‘In honour and in recognition of Robert E. Wright, Kenneth J. Moore. Medics 2nd Bn 501 PIR 101st Airborne Division. For humane and lifesaving care rendered to 80 combatants and a child in this church in June 1944.’

Now available as a Limited Edition print ...

Deservedly respected for his skilful technique of incorporating pencil and colourwash highlights, Richard Taylor adds to his growing list of highly-collectible masterworks with this detailed interpretation of events at Angoville.

His original drawing has been faithfully reproduced as high-quality giclée fine art prints on archival paper, with every copy issued hand numbered and personally signed by the artist.