the approach to the demolished railroad bridge southwest of BAUPTE,
and at TOTOT, east of the demolished culvert. 15 June 1944 At 0515 approximately fifty enemy cyclists attempted to cross
the bridge at HOTOT, and were repulsed in disorder by the combat
group from Company D. Nine were killed and two were captured. At 1100
the regiment received instructions to prepare to move to the north
of the DOUVE RIVER. 2nd Battalion relieved the 3rd Battalion at
FONT AUNY at 1500. The 3rd Battalion then assembled and moved
north of the DOUVE to Division reserve at 1700. The Battalion was
transported to a position one-half mile west of LE BONNEVILLE.
The 507th Parachute Infantry began relief of the remaining two
battalions at 2400. 16 June 1944 The regiment, less 3rd Battalion, moved by truck to the
division reserve position one-half kilometer northwest of ETIENVILLE
at LA RUE. Regiment was closed in the assembly area, by 0900.
CP was established in an orchard one-half kilometer northwest of
ETIENVILLE. Instructions were received from Division to alert
units for a possible move to a new reserve position near RAUVILLE
by 1500. 3rd Battalion moved to a position east of the DOUVE and
approximately two miles north of ST SAUVEUR to protect the right
flank of the Division and Corps in a defensive position astride
the VALOGNES-ST SAUVEUR highway and covering the passage of the
9th Division advancing to the west. The 1st and 2nd Battalions
plus Regimental Headquarters moved to the new assembly area two
kilometers northwest of ST SAUVEUR LE VICOMTE along the ST SAUVEUR-
ETIENVILLE highway, in order: 2nd Battalion, Regimental
Headquarters, 1st Battalion. At 1915 the regiment, less the 3rd Battalion, was alerted in
preparation for relieving the 505th Parachute Infantry which was
then holding a position west of ST SAUVEUR LE VICOMTE. At 2200
the 2nd Battalion passed through the 505th Parachute Infantry
southwest of ST SAUVEUR and moved to occupy an extended defensive
position from LE HAMEUX on the left to the railroad on the right,
mopping up small groups of Germans in the area. The Regimental CP
was established in a French bakery previously used for baking
of bread for the German array at ST SAUVEUR LE VICOMTE by 2030 hour.
By 2230 hour the 1st Battalion had relieved 3rd Battalion, 505th
Parachute Infantry and had occupied a position one kilometer south-
east of ST SAUVEUR LE VICOMTE east of the ST SAUVEUR-LE HAYE DU
PUITS highway, after routing small German rearguards. This action
placed the regiment, less the 3rd Battalion, in a defensive posi-
tion protecting ST SAUVEUR LE VICOMTE from the south and southwest,
astride the main highway leading south across the PRAIRIES MARACA-
GUESES to LE HAYE DE PUITS. 17-19 June 1944 The 1st and 2nd Battalions mopped up the area from ST SAVEUR
LE PIERRE FONT to BRETEL AND JONAS along the edge of the PRAIRIE
MARACAGUESES. This was accomplished by many combat patrols which
located and routed out the German roadblocks and isolated strong
points, aided by artillery fire. At 1000 a message was received
to mine the bridge across the PRAIRIES MARACAGUESES on the ST
SAUVEURS-LA HAYE DE PUIT highway, prepare the bridge for demolition,
and to guard the bridge against counter attack. This mission was
accomplished by Company C which established a combat outpost and
road block. The bridge was blown per division order, and at 2330 |
