 Sheet
15Record of 508th Participation In Normandy
Operations (page 5 of 12) |
one advance guard ambushed and destroyed two German tanks
which had been sent down the road from BAUPTE. Advance elements of the
battalion encountered heavy rifle and automatic weapons fire 2500 yards
northeast of BAUPTE. The battalion occupied a perimeter defensive area
and patrols were sent out to determine the nature of the resistance.
Resistance believed to be about a battalion, with tanks and artillery.
At 1615 the battalion attacked alter an artillery preparation, Company F
on the left, Company D on the right, and Company E in battalion reserve.
After about an hour of tierce fighting, during which four 20mm guns and
several machine guns were knocked out and several large groups of
Germans left dead in the ditches, Company F seized the south halt of
BAUPTE, cleared the end of the causeway, and occupied a defensive
position on the south end of town. Company D fought down to the north
end of the town through a hail of small arms tire, overrunning about a
company of Germans in the hedgerows, and encountering several tanks and
a strong pocket of German resistance in a vehicle park northeast of
town. Company E was brought through Company F's sector, seized the north
half of the town and occupied a defensive position north of town.
Companies U and E attacked the vehicle park, which was defended by at
least a company, and knocked out ten tanks with bazookas. The Germans
withdrew in confusion, leaving about fifty vehicles, which were
captured. Company D reorganized and occupied position east of town.
Large quantities of tools, German uniforms, clothing, equipment,
rations, ammunition, and gasoline had been abandoned and were captured.
Re-organlzatlon of the battalion was completed at dark. The bridge
across the causeway which had been booby-trapped by the Germans was
prepared tor demolition at dawn. The attached engineer platoon
demolished the railroad bridge west of BAUPTE and the culvert west of
HOTOT. Contact with 101st A/B Division was made on the causeway south of
BAUPTE. 14 June 1945
1st Battalion moved at 0130 from COIGNY to join 2nd
Battalion at BAUPTE and assist in defense of the town. The battalion
arrived at BAUPTE and established a perimeter defense west of the town
at 0700.
At 0700 3rd Battalion was attacked by a small force
with with small arms fire. By 0735 the 3rd Battalion had repelled this
attack causing many casualties among the enemy, estimated at one
company. At 1005 the 3rd Battalion notified regiment that a large force
of enemy was concentrating In the area one kilometer northeast of LES
SABLONS. At this time a I5 minute artillery concentration was called for
to start at 1030.
At 1030 the 1st Battalion moved from Baupte to clear
the area In front of the 3rd Battalion position; formation approach
march, companies In column to the line of departure. Crossing the line
of departure at 1130 hour, formation two companies abreast, one company
In reserve. At 1230 the battalion encountered heavy German resistance,
later confirmed as a battalion, In the vicinity of PONT AUNY. A heavy
tire fight followed. The Germans apparently reinforced the position, and
prevented any further advance. At 1600 hour the 1st Battalion broke
contact with the enemy and withdrew to position at BAUPTE on regimental
order. Company A was used as a covering force during the withdrawal and
followed the battalion fifteen minutes later. The Regimental CP moved to
Chateau Fracquetot at 1830. At 2230 1st Battalion moved, from BAUPTE to
Regimental reserve position at FRACQUETOT. At 2300 hour 2nd Battalion,
less Company D, moved to reserve position, vicinity of COIGNY. Company D
occupied a position north of BAUPTE. Combat groups from Company D
occupied positions at the north end of the causeway at BAUPTE, at
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