The Battle of Bloody Gulch

Carentan, France

Just southwest of Carentan, there’s a narrow road curving past Donville Manor. Most travelers pass it without a second glance. But if you follow it for a few hundred yards, you’ll see a sign that simply reads: “#13 Méautis.” That quiet field was the site of Easy Company’s fiercest day in Normandy—June 13, 1944.

 

 

What It’s Like Today

The battlefield is open countryside. Hedgerows still cut the land into tight, uneven spaces—so tall you can’t see through, so dense you can't fight over them without exposing yourself. The sign is easy to miss, and the only major landmark nearby is the manor (Donville Manor), which now operates as a small museum. There are no crowds, no souvenir stands—just fields, fences, and silence.

You can still feel how exposed Easy Company must have felt here. Their right flank rested against the flooded fields near the railroad. Their left was wide open. Other companies fell back under fire. Easy didn’t. From those hedgerows, they held against mortars, tanks, and German paratroopers until the 2nd Armored rolled in.

 

 

What to Watch For

– Terrain funneling: The battlefield slopes slightly—perfect for an approach into Carentan.
– Hedgerow depth: Try walking along them. You’ll see how difficult they are to defend—or escape from. Actually, the hedgerows are smaller today than they were in 1944.
– Scale: The whole battlefield is smaller than you'd think. That tightness added to the chaos.

If you’re standing by the sign and looking toward Carentan, you're roughly on the German line. Behind you was Easy Company. The field between? That was no-man’s land. Somewhere in that pasture, Don Malarkey ran for machine-gun ammo and caught a piece of shrapnel in the hand. Somewhere there, John McGrath took out a German tank with a bazooka shot to the belly of the steel beast.

 

 

If You Visit Today

• Location: The “Bloody Gulch” sign sits near Donville Manor, now a private museum. You can park nearby and explore on foot.
• Timing: Early morning or late afternoon gives you the best light—and the most solitude.
• Expect minimal signage: Bring background reading or a guide. Most of the battle isn’t marked on the land itself.
• Nearby: Trace Easy Company’s attack into Carentan (from the previous day).

 

 

Photos

Thank you to the U.S. Army Signal Corps, James Skeffington, and Unsplash photographers.

Further Reading

For firsthand stories, see:
– Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose
– Beyond Band of Brothers by Dick Winters
– Brothers in Battle, Best of Friends by Malarkey & Mallett

Want more? The Band of Brothers Travel Guide brings Easy Company’s entire route across Europe to life—with maps, context, and stories you can stand inside.