 Sheet
20Record of 508th Participation In Normandy
Operations (page 10 of 12) |
S-E-C-R-E-T
2nd Battalion reached the BETA phase line at the base
of Hill 131, after routing several more islands of resistance and taking
more prisoners. By 1145 the 1st Battalion had occupied position on the
ALPHA phase line in reserve, the 2nd Battalion had seized its objective
on the eastern nose of Hill 131, and the 3rd Battalion had advanced to a
position 300 yards west of LA DAUDERIE. Each battalion was rounding up a
number of bewildered Germans who found themselves surrounded. During the
attack the leading battalions had suffered some casualties from booby
traps throughout the zone of advance. The 3rd Battalion was ordered to
move to Hill 131, the 2nd Battalion objective, with both battalions
holding the objective. The regiment had occupied position on the
southeast nose of Hill 131 by 1600. At 1600 the regiment received
instructions to move to the vicinity of LA BLANCHELANDE in preparation
for an attack to seize the high ground at Hill 95 and east of LA
POTERIE. The regiment moved at 2000 hour. The order of march was 2nd
Battalion, 3rd Battalion, 1st Battalion, and Regimental Headquarters.
Under spasmodic mortar fire from vicinity of LA POTERIE ridge the 2nd
and 3rd Battalions moved into forward assembly areas in the woods east
of LA BLANCHELANDE, 2nd Battalion on the west side of the woods, 3rd
Battalion on the east side of the woods, the 1st Battalion into an
assembly area north of the woods. The Regimental CP was established two
kilometers northeast of LA BLANCHELANDE. All units were closed in the
area by 2330. By this time the regiment was well below half strength,
having received no reinforcements since D day.
4 July - 5 July 1944
An attack order was issued at 0030; Battalions were to move out from
assembly areas against their assigned objectives at 0630 provided
division gave a positive order. The battalions were to attack
simultaneously, 2nd Battalion attacking to the southwest against Hill
95, the 3rd Battalion attacking southwest across fairly open country
against the center high point of the ridge, the 1st Battalion attacking
south against the ridge at LA POTERIE. At 0720 an order arrived from
Division for the regiment to jump off in attack at 0800. All units were
given final instructions and the attack began. By 0945 the 2nd Battalion
had advanced 700 yards through stiff resistance and by 1050 was 300
yards from its objective. The 1st Battalion had planned to attack its
objective from the left flank, avoiding crossing the draw in front of
the ridge; however, upon reaching the LD it was found that the 325th
Glider Infantry, advancing on the left flank, was shelling the area this
battalion planned to use, making the move impossible. It was then
planned to coordinate the attack with the 3rd Battalion, 508th Parachute
Infantry, shell the ridge with artillery and attack with two companies
abreast, across the draw. Just before crossing the LD units of the 325th
Infantry advanced abreast of the 1st Battalion left flank and indicated
that they planned to advance in the area selected by the 1st Battalion.
This necessitated delaying the attack and coordinating again. It was
then planned to attack on a narrower front with companies in column to
make room for the 325th Infantry. By 1050 the 1st and 3rd Battalions
were pinned down by fire from the 1st Battalion objective. At 1100 hour
the message was received that the 3rd Battalion was held up 350 yards in
front of its LD. A twenty minute Corps artillery concentration was
planned for the 1st and 3rd Battalion objectives at 1215. A coordinated
attack by these Battalions was also set for 1215. At 1220 the 2nd
Battalion reported that Hill 95 had been taken with heavy loss of
personnel. 400 yards after crossing the LD the leading company of the
1st Battalion came under heavy automatic weapons fire from well prepared
positions. The battalion dug in at the limit of advance in the vicinity
of LA POTERIE. During this action enemy artillery was extremely heavy
and accurate. Battalion casualties were high. The 3rd Battalion
attacking under the artillery concentration suffered heavy casualties
also when friendly artillery
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