 Sheet
17Record of 508th Participation In Normandy
Operations (page 7 of 12) |
Company A was sent to reinforce the Company C roadblock.
Throughout the period 17-19 June the two battalions carried out vigorous
and aggressive patrol action within the regimental area and along the
banks of the DOUVE. On 18 June the 3rd Battalion, in Division reserve
astride the highway to VALOGNES northeast of ST SAUVEUR, moved to an
area west of ETIENVILLE, under Division control, shortly after midnight
on 19 June. The 1st and 2nd Battalions established an outpost line along
the RIVER DEUVE [sic], per Division order, to insure against any enemy
crossing of the DOUVE from the south. All outposts were established and
contact made between 1st and 2nd Battalion outposts by 0300. At 0800 the
regiment received Instructions that combat patrolling would cease as of
0830, but the regiment was to keep the entire area along the PRAIRIE and
PRAIRIES-DOUVE junction under constant surveillance by the use of
numerous OP's. OP's were established by 1130. At 1440 the regiment was
relieved of the sector by the 357th Infantry. Battalions assembled in
the battalion areas and awaited a movement order.
The 3rd Battalion, under Division control, crossed the
DOUVE from a location west of ETIENVILLE in assault boats commencing at
0500. The battalion established a bridgehead on the south bank of the
DOUVE and quickly organized a defensive position. At this time the
battalion was attached to the 325th Infantry and given the mission of
seizing and holding PRETOT. The Battalion moved In a column of
companies, passing through VINDE FONTAINE, met an enemy strongpoint 900
yards south of VINDEFONTAINE and bypassed it to the east. The Battalion
then moved into an attack assembly area 600 yards north of PRETOT, under
persistent sniper and machine gun fire. During the evening a Mark IV
tank was knocked out by a soldier from Company I with a hand thrown
rifle grenade.
20 June 1944
At 0430 the 3rd Battalion moved to its line of departure astride the
stream following from the northeast into PRETOT, and launched an attack
from the northeast into PRETOT at 0600. After a fifteen minute
preparation by artillery the battalion attacked fast under cover of
heavy and accurate supporting fire. The remnants of the Germans
defending the town fled south in disorder, and the battalion established
a defensive position at PRETOT. The enemy had observation from high
ground south and east of PRETOT, and subjected the battalion to heavy
artillery and mortar shelling. At 1600 the battalion was ordered by
division to move from the town of PRETOT to a position, on high ground
just west of the town. The Battalion was relieved by the 1st Battalion,
507th Parachute Infantry at 2330.
By the morning of 20 June the 90th Division had passed through the
position held by the regiment, less 3rd Battalion, west of ST SAUVEUR,
and the regiment less 3rd Battalion was ordered to move by truck from
position at ST SAUVEUR to ETIENVILLE and thence across the causeway
south of ETIENVILLE by foot to an assembly area at LA QUENAUDER1E, two
and one-half kilometers southwest of ETIENVILLE and south of the
PRAIRIES MARACAGEUSES. The Regimental CP opened at 1230, two and
one-half kilometers southwest of ETIENVILLE. By 1330 the regiment, less
3rd Battalion, had closed in the new area. At 1700 a tentative plan was
issued for an attack to seize Hill 131.
21 June
Upon being relieved by the 507th Parachute Infantry,
the 3rd
- 7 –
SECRET |
