Le char Jeanne-d’Arc War memorial

Suddenly, a shell explodes. The Sherman tank “Jeanne d’Arc” shudders. We stand now before this very tank, Le char Jeanne-d’Arc, a poignant war memorial. It sits here, on Place du Colonel Eddon, a silent testament to the fierce battle for Marseille’s liberation in August 1944. Le char Jeanne-d’Arc isn’t just any tank. It’s an American M4 Sherman, a workhorse of WWII, deployed by American, British, and Free French forces. This particular tank, part of the 2nd Cuirassiers Regiment, played a crucial role in the fight for Notre-Dame de la Garde. On August 25th, 1944, amidst the chaos of battle, the Jeanne d’Arc reached Place Santa Maria. Suddenly, a German grenade struck the tank, igniting it. The Jeanne d’Arc, now a fiery inferno, rolled back, crashing into the bishop’s garden wall. Tragically, three crew members—Commander Maréchal des Logis André Keck, Gunner Brigadier Roger Guillot, and radio operator Cuirassier Maurice Clément—perished. The driver, Cuirassier Antoine Riquelme, survived but was wounded. Le char Jeanne-d’Arc remains here, preserved as a memorial. A plaque on the tank honors the fallen crew. A nearby stele commemorates the 7th Algerian Rifle Regiment who, alongside the Jeanne d’Arc, fought valiantly to liberate Notre-Dame de la Garde. The square itself, once Place Santa Maria, was renamed Place du Colonel Eddon in 1952, honoring another war hero. This place, this tank, speaks volumes. It whispers stories of courage, sacrifice, and the enduring struggle for freedom. Le char Jeanne-d’Arc is more than just a war memorial. It’s a tangible piece of history, a reminder of the cost of liberty, and a tribute to those who fought bravely for Marseille’s liberation.