 Sheet
21Record of 508th Participation In Normandy
Operations (page 11 of 12) |
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fire lifted permitting the enemy to pin the 3rd
Battalion to the ground with mortar fire. This Battalion was forced to
withdraw to the vicinity of its original attack locations. At 1400
Company F occupied the west slope of Hill 95, Company D occupied the
east slope, and Company E remained in reserve north of the hill. Company
F suffered heavy casualties, and was forced to withdraw. Company E
retook this lost ground during the night. The 2nd Battalion 507th
Parachute Infantry, upon orders from Division, moved into position east
of LA BLANCHELANDE, covering the gap between the 2nd and 3rd Battalions.
By 1500 this battalion had moved on to position and was establishing an
OPLR. A new plan for securing the high ground was given to the regiment
by Division. 2nd Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry, sent a strong
combat patrol to the center of the ridge. The remainder of the battalion
moved into position on the hill. This battalion was on position by 0437,
5 July, contact had been made with the 505th Parachute Infantry by
patrol, and the entire ridge had been captured. At 0452 the 1st
Battalion moved into Division reserve east of LA BLANCHELANDE in the
position formerly held by 2nd Battalion, 507th Parachute Infantry.
5 July 1944
All units retained positions and conducted aggressive patrol action to
the regimental front.
6 July 1944
At 1800 hour a pocket of resistance was encountered along the highway to
the front of Hill 95 by the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry. At
2145 Company F moved forward supported by 3 tanks to attack the pocket
of resistance. Company F met heavy enemy resistance but cleared the
area. The 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry was attached to the
505th Parachute Infantry for tactical purposes.
7 July 1944
At 1000 the regiment received Operations Memo #4 from 82d A/B Division
instructing the regiment to assemble in the vicinity of LA BLANCHELANDE
in Division reserve, all attachments to be relieved in place. By 1145
all units were in position one kilometer east of LA BLANCHELANDE as
Division reserve.
8 July 1944
All units remained in position as Division reserve, the 3rd Battalion
continuing to patrol the sector between 507th Parachute Infantry, which
was in place on the ridge and its own position. The 8th Division passed
through and jumped off in the attack to the south towards LE HAYE DE
PUITS at 0700.
9 July - 11 July 1944
The regiment remained in Division reserve taking advantage of the
opportunity to take showers and clean up all personnel in preparation
for the return to England.
12 July - 15 July 1944
The regiment departed from NORMANDY across UTAH BEACH, utilizing two
LST's for transportation to SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND, and thence to
NOTTINGHAM by train.
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