Argentan train station and goods yard taken from the air

In this picture taken on the 20th of August Agentan train station and goods yard displays extremely heavy damage after the attentions of Allied tactical air power, and artillery fire during fighting to free the town from German occupation. The rail network in Normandy was almost entirely destroyed and certainly rendered unusable as part of the "Transport Plan" to seal off the battle area from the rest of France in order to stop the Germans moving supplies and fresh combat formations to the front.

During fighting to take the town the station and goods yard was defended by Pioneer Battalion 675. The area was submerged in a torrent of artillery fire.

Same photo in a US 9th air force press release

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlq/4105297779/