 Sheet
18Record of 508th Participation In Normandy
Operations (page 8 of 12) |
Battalion was released from Division control and moved to
the regimental area. At 1000 a verbal field order was issued for an
attack against Hill 131, later confirmed by a written FO. In the evening
the operation was postponed 24 hours. The Regiment carried out
aggressive patrolling in its zone of advance.
22 June 1944
During the morning the 1st Battalion was alerted to move from the
regimental area, and verbal orders were issued for preparation of a
defensive position by the regiment. This was confirmed by a written FO.
At 1700 the 1st Battalion occupied and prepared a defensive position on
the regimental reserve line in the vicinity of VINDE FONTAINE. The
operation involving an attack against Hill 131 was postponed
indefinitely, the 1st Battalion to remain in its defensive position on
the regimental reserve line. During the night patrols operated in the
zone of advance, towards Hill 131.
23 June 1944
No activity was reported during the night of 22-23 June. At 1015 the
Battalions were instructed to make a reconnaissance for defensive
positions to the south; the 3rd Battalion to occupy the MLR, the 2nd
Battalion to occupy the regimental reserve line, and the 1st Battalion
to occupy a position on the division switch line. This reconnaissance
was completed, and by 1630 the regiment had received orders to move to
the designated positions. The 2nd and 3rd Battalions then in the
regimental assembly area moved to occupy defensive positions beginning
at 2300.
24 June 1944
By 0635 the 1st Battalion was relieved at VINDEFONTAINE by the 507th
Parachute Infantry and moved to the division switch position In the
vicinity of LE BOST. Regiment established a new CP one and one-half
kilometers northwest of VINDEFONTAINE by 1600. Aggressive patrolling was
carried out on the night of 24-25 June on the regimental front.
25 June - 29 June 1944
During this period the regiment occupied battalion positions on the MLR,
RRL and division switch line. Aggressive patrol action was carried out
on the regimental front in the probable zone of advance. Regimental S-2
patrols went as far as Hill 131 (several thousand yards) on four
different occasions procuring much information of the enemy disposition
and strength, and capturing a few prisoners. During this period the 3rd
Battalion on the MLR was in physical contact with the 505th Parachute
Infantry on its right and the 325th Glider Infantry on its left. At all
times during this period the enemy was in some localities within fifty
yards of the 3rd Battalion MLR. The enemy used mortar fire and high
velocity-low trajectory fire quite extensively against our positions.
This regiment utilized the 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion to
place a large volume of observed and unobserved fire on enemy
installations. Many fire missions were adjusted by L-5 liaison planes
and many direct hits were reported. Company H, the left flank company of
the 3rd Battalion, received a number of casualties from enemy artillery
and mortar fire. In order to give Company H a needed rest the 3rd
Battalion relieved it with Company G, the reserve company, at 0145 on 27
June. On 26 June, from 0730 to 0800 the division made a feint attack
against the enemy by using heavy concentrations of artillery, mortar,
and small arms fire. The Germans immediately opened up with small arms
fire and with its mortars
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