| Original caption: “Americans take shelter during mop-up of Brest. Crouching behind a pile of rubble, a United States soldier watches for German snipers in the streets of Brest, while a companion covers him from behind a doorway.” 2 United States Army soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division demonstrate for the camera street fighting tactics after the fall of Brest. This is likely at Rue Jean Jaurès. 1 soldier holds a Mark 2 “Pineapple” grenade and a Walther P38 9 millimeter (.355 inch) pistol while the other prone soldier carries an M1 Garand rifle. A number of photographers restaged combat scenes, mostly in the 2nd Infantry Division sector. British photographer Fred Ramage (October 12, 1900 – January 1981) staged a number of combat scenes; he compared the fighting in Brest to the Battle of Stalingrad. “Utilizing the street-fighting maneuver which highlighted the siege of Stalingrad, when the Russian drove back the invading Germans, the Allied troops adopted the same method of warfare in driving Germans out of the houses in which they were holed up.” The fighting was intense, with the troops moving from house to house. The fortifications (both French and German built) proved very difficult to overcome, and heavy artillery barrages were fired by both sides. Tank destroyers were brought in to fire on Nazi German positions at close range. British “funnies” – Churchill tank “Crocodile” flame-throwing tanks of the United Kingdom Royal Army 79th Armored Division – attacked the heavily fortified Fort Montbarey. The U-Boat pens were especially difficult to reduce. | |
| Image Filename | wwii0434.jpg |
| Image Size | 1.08 MB |
| Image Dimensions | 2931 x 2142 |
| Photographer | |
| Photographer Title | International News Photos |
| Caption Author | Written or Adapted by Jason McDonald |
| Date Photographed | September 18, 1944 |
| Location | |
| City | Brest |
| State or Province | Brittany |
| Country | France |
| Archive | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Record Number | NWDNS-208-AA-19Z(1) |
| Status | Caption ©2026 MFA Productions LLC Please Do Not Duplicate or Distribute Without Permission; Image in the Public Domain |
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