UNIT JOURNAL, 508TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY
OPERATION ”NEPTUNE”, NORMANDY
28 MAY TO 15 JULY 1944

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0900 hour --- 3d Bn report one WE killed in  their area from our artillery falling short.
0930 hour --- Adj to Rear Train.
1000 hour --- Rations brought in from Rear Train.
1100 hour --- 2d Bn only on the line at present.
1200 hour --- 2d Bn 507 on the line with our 3d Bn.
1300 hour --- Fire fight to our front in 3d Bn area.
1330 hour --- S-4 to Rear Train to bring up rations. Bn S-4s in from Bns to receive supplies.
1400 hour --- Adj to 505.
1430 hour --- Meeting of Bn COs Staff with CO;.
1500 hour --- Situation unchanged, Bns in s defensive position. 2d Bn of 505 and 508 on line,  3d Bn in Regt reserve, 1st Bn in Div reserve along with 2d Bn 507.
1510 hour --- Adj in from 505.
1530 hour --- No change.
1600 hour --- CG called for Gen Gavin -- contacted.
1630 hour --- Notified that there was mail at rear train.
1730 hour --- S-4 in from rear train.
1800 hour --- Situation, no change.
1900 hour --- Some small arms fire in 3d Bn front.
2000 hour --- CO out to Bns.
2100 hour --- CO 3d Bn in.
2200 hour --- CO in.
2300 hour --- No change.
2400 hour --- Weather clear and warm; morale excellent; strength 838.

0600 hour --- No Change.
0700 hour --- S-3 and CO 1st Bn into CP.
0800 hour --- Gen Gavin remained in CP all evening.
0830 hour --- Gen Gavin out to Div.
0900 hour --- Lt. Hager in, delivered G-2 report in from Div. to the S-2.
0925 hour --- 507 2d Bn informed us of the enemy situation and the disposition of our troops.
1015 hour --- Brig Gen Walker, Cmdr of the 80th Inf Div., intro CP, CO departed with him to go to the front.
1100 hour --- CO 1st Bn into CP.
1200 hour --- CO in.
1230 hour --- Units of the 8th Div moving into this vicinity.
1300 hour --- 1st and 3d Bns still in defensive, 2d Bns 507 and 508 still in front line.
1400 hour --- CO out to 91st Evac Hosp to see Col Alexander.
1415 hour --- Capt Bridgewater reported in from the base camp.
1430 hour --- Lt. Hager in from Div.
1500 hour --- 1st Sgts 3rd Bn in.
1540 hour --- CO 1st Bn out.
1610 hour --- Lt, Hager out.
1800 hour --- No change.
1830 hour --- Forward elements of 2d Bn contacted enemy, firefight ensued.
1900 hour --- Sgt Angress forward to 2s Bn area, picked up 23 prisoners who gave up to him. Morale of Germans very low.
 2000 hour --- Fighting on 2d Bn front very intensive. Tanks attempted to go forward but pushed back by 88 fire.
2030 hour --- CO to front.
2100 hour --- Fire plans received by S-3 from 2d Bn.
2200 hour --- Gen Gavin in.
2230 hour --- All telephone commo in.
2330 hour --- CO in.
2400 hour --- 2d Bn pulled back from line.  all our Bns now back. Weather rainy; morale high; strength 919.

0630 hour --- Received word that Col. Peyton, 121st Inf Regt, would be at Cp at 0830 with his Bn COs to look over the situation.
0730 hour --- .Lt. Hager in with G-2 and G-3 reports.
0730 hour --- Col Peyton and his Bn COs arrived, were briefed slightly by our S-3.
0800 hour --- Bn COs 121 Inf forward to the forward elements of the 82d.
0830 hour --- Gen Gavin ib.
0900 hour --- Col Peyton out.

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