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. Com- pany F suffered heavy casualties, and was forced to withdraw. Com- pany 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 Bat- talion, 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 re- lieved 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 Cake 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. |